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

[Steve Nervig]

>  ----- Original Message -----
>  From: Dick Spellman
> To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com
> Sent: Sunday, March 06, 2005 12:59 PM
> Subject: [W126 Coupe] Becker factory amps and Blau*** receiver issues
>
> 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
>

Hi Dick, I'm certainly no expert on this stuff, but i don't believe the 
86 300SE had separate amps, did it (maybe the Euros did)? Anyway, with 
an aftermarket head unit, I think I would just completely bypass that 
fader. I believe that would solve most, if not all, of your problem.

Regards,
Steve