Audio Systems: Boat stereo system, polk db650, sound stream

Question
Hi Robert,
Yesterday we had our boat out and at the end of the day the system did not play music it had an extremely loud hum and you could not turn the volume down, we had to shut off the system. When we tried again it was still there. My system is a Pioneer deck (1 YR) with Sound Stream Tranccila 5.1 amp. 6 Polk db650 speakers and 2 10' subs. Can you think of why it would do that. Thank you in advance.

Debbie

Answer
Is the hum there when you turn the volume control on the amplifier all of the way down?

If there is a hum with the volume up or down then your amp has a problem and should be taken in for repair.

If it goes away when the volume is down then there is probably a bad connection between the Pioneer deck and the amp. Try removing the connectors and see if it goes away. Marine air will corrode connectors. If there is a radio, try that to see if it goes away or if you have an iPod or other portable device try plugging it in to the amp instead of the Pioneer.

Lastly and less likely is; if none of the above applies, then the problem is probably in the Pioneer deck. You'll know if you use another sound source.