[W126 Coupe] Becker factory amps and Blau*** receiver issues

[Matt Petersen]

Hi Dick.

The instructions with my JVC deck said NOT to use the common ground system that 
the 4 speaker factory setup with fader users. Apparently this can damage the 
head unit. I would look up on the net to see what your head unit says with 
respect to common ground.

The factory cabling is pretty average as well, I would seriously recommend 
rewiring the car and replace the cabling and bypass the factory fader.

Cheers
Matt.

Quoting Dick Spellman <spell.yy at verizon.net>:

> Here is a question for radio/stereo pros. On the 86 300SE Euro, there
> are the conventional size speakers in the dash (4X6) and rear deck
> (6.5's) and I just replaced them with Polk speakers today, all of which
> are wired to the factory wiring harnesses. The receiver is not the
> original Becker but, a Blauplunkt something or another. It appears that
> whoever installed this receiver has the factory fader switch competing
> with the fader in the receiver.
> 
> Here is the problem, the speakers sound very distorted at almost any
> volume setting and I have been able to elimiminate some of the
> distortion by mucking with the receiver fader control bringing it close
> to neutral. This allows the factory fader to work without creating added
> distortion. Now I have the original Becker radio in the 90 300SE I just
> picked up a few months ago and it sounds great. Crisp, clear, no
> distortion. Maybe a little weak on the real highs and lows but, that's
> to be expected.
> 
> Question. On the distorted 86 300se system should I bypass the factory
> amps and fader and just wire direct to the speakers or is there some way
> to re-wire the receiver to eliminate the distortion??? I am inclined to
> replace the receiver anyway in the near future for other reasons but for
> now just want to sort out the wiring and amplifier issues.
> 
> Any thoughts on this subject would be appreciated.
> 
> Dick