I have a 2000 F150 Supercab with the single-cd player. I have hooked it up to the high level inputs of an AudioControl EQL Series II (equalizer). When I turn the volume up only 1/3 of the way, the sound starts clipping. I have twiddled the EQL input/output controls to no avail. I believe that I am overloading the front end of the high-level input differential amp. Has anyone done a clean install from this HU to an external amp? Exactly which line converter did you use? If all else fails, I am looking at the Visteon MP3, but I need to know if it has RCA level outputs.

 

High level inputs are generally not that good. They all depend on the HU, and we all know that stock HU distort badly at higher levels, and that distortion will get sent to the amp.

 

I have done some more testing, with a speaker hooked directly up to the HU and a series resistor. The HU does clip very badly from 40% volume and up. I am very hesitant to buy a Visteon product (The MP3 HU), if they were able to make this piece of garbage. Good electronics cost about $5 at the factory and there is no excuse. I have a Kenwood CD/Receiver from a previous install, but I really did not want to use it because I like the simplicity and features of the Ford CD player.