Alpine MRD501 Setup

I just bought an alpine mrd501 amp since my last one died after 5 years and I can't seem to get it to sound good.  I have messed with the controls and it by far isn't like my old amp where I just turn the knob.  Does anybody have any good hints on how to get this to sound good since it doesn't really tell you much in the manual.  And I have this powering 2 infinity 1220 reference subs each sealed in 1 cu ft box.

This is how the manual says to set the gain I think.

(it says to do these three steps before anything else)

1) Gradually increase the volume until the display starts flashing.

2) Decrease the volume until it stops flashing.

3) Gradually increase the volume control again until the "over" indicator starts flashing.

Adjusting the Input Level

1) Press the input mode button left or right or up and down until input is displayed.

2) Press the ENT button

3) Press the < or > mode button until Level is displayed

4) Press the ENT button

5) use the < or > buttons to adjust the input level (it can either go from .1 to 2 volts or .5 to 8 volts).

Those directions were on pages 9 and 10 of the manual...

I'm pretty sure you were looking at the "gain factor" instead (I have no idea what that is). I'd set it at 0. Turn the parametric EQ and Bass compensation off also.

I tried this when I bought the amp.  I have an alpine cda 7894 and I turned it up to 22, which is really loud to me, and mine never blinked once.  Any ideas.

The switch on it for the imput select 0.5V-8.0V and 1.0V-2.0V.  Since my deck has 4V preouts shouldn't it be on the first.  I went and switched it to the 1.0-2.0 and that solved my crappy bass problem.  I just want to check if that is ok, I don't wanna kill a new amp.

yeah, it's ok.  That's what I run my amp at all the time.

I doubt the outputs from the HU are really 4 volts, but I would expect alpines to be rated well....

-Drew

Thanks alot.  I just know it made a big difference flipping that switch.

Mine too......I had it at the 4-8 volt setting, and had to crank the gain up the +9 to give it decent volume.....switched it down to 1-2v, and it just rocks now!

-Drew