I just put a new head unit (Clarion DB365USB) in my 2003 Mustang, and for some reason I get static/hiss out of it but only when playing CD's. The static/hiss level is not affected at all by the volume setting. If I turn the volume down to 1 notch, I can hear it really good, if i turn the volume completely to 0, it stops. The static itself is no louder at the first notch than the 5th or 6th, etc. It also makes a static/pop noise when I switch tracks. I made sure I wired the adapter per instructions, and made sure it's grounded. FM sounds really good, better than stock head unit. I've yet to test the USB input, as I don't have my flash drive with me currently. Is there something I did wrong somewhere? Bad head unit?

Any help is appreciated.

 

Sounds like a problem with the head unit. If it were a problem with your wires then you would hear the hiss all the time. Try different CDs as well. Sometimes I find CDs that are recorded with a slight hiss... but now that I think about it... the hiss would get louder if you raise the volume... lol... so zilch that...

Just sound like something with the head unit.

 

That's what I was thinking. I tried serveral different CD's, and a CD with MP3's, same thing.I'm probably going to just swap the head unit.

Thanks

 

I just thought of something. Possibly check the head unit's EQ control. This might not be it but it doesn't hurt to try. Usually when you have a separate EQ ran inline with your wiring, sometimes with an EQ on it can introduce noise into the system... maybe there's something with the EQ settings specific to the CD player part of the head unit. Also keep in mind... if the hiss isn't that loud at all, and since you said it doesn't get any louder from 1 to 5 or 6, maybe the hiss isn't even noticeable at regular to high volumes. I figure you could probably just check this before totally ditching the head unit.

EDIT: I was reading some reviews on Crutchfield from other buyers of that head unit and one of them I saw mentioned the hiss... on CD, USB, and AUX I think it said.

 

Yeah, I do notice more of a hiss when I enabled the low bass frequency boost (Magna Bass EX boost or whatever Clarion calls it). When i'm driving, with the extra noise of the road and engine, it's not really noticable. It is pretty noticable at high volumes during quiet parts of the track though, and in between tracks. I'll have to check out those reviews on Crutchfield though. Thanks