Car Stereos: Amp, caddilac cts, output volume

Question
I have a caddilac cts and I am having proplems with it. I turn it on and very little sound I turn it up all the way and can barly hear it. I want to replace amp but not sure if the problem is amp or head unit.
What do you think

Answer
Hi Joe,

I think it's more likely that the problem is in the factory amplifier.  Here's why: in most CTS models, the factory Bose amplifier is digitally controlled and uses a fixed audio signal between the head unit and the amplifier.  When you turn up the volume on your head unit, the output level from the head unit doesn't change--it remains constant.  Instead, a digital signal is sent to the amplifier, instructing it to increase the output power to the speakers.   Since there's no real volume adjustment done at the head unit, I think it's more likely that a problem with low output volume is originating at the amplifier.

Unfortunately, the only way to find out for certain is to replace one or the other component, and see what happens.

Hope this helps!

Brian