Problem with Alpine System

Hello Everyone,

     I have to appologize in advance for the length of this post. I recently purchased an Alpine CDA-7998 Head Unit as well as an ERA-G320 EQ and TUA-T020XM XM Tuner. I want to run everything through Ai-Net, as opposed to using the RCA connections. If I hook the ERA-G320 directly up to the head unit and switch the HU to EQ/Div, it works perfectly. The same can be said when I attach the TUA-T020XM directly to the HU (and switch the HU back to Normal), but when I try to daisy chain them together (i.e. CDA 7998 (HU) -> ERA-G320 (EQ) -> TUA-T020XM (XM), CD and Tuner work fine, but the XM can only load the cahnnel information (there is no sound, and no signal is visible on the spectrum annalyzer on the G320). I've tried resetting the HU via the tiny button under the face, and tried switching the order (Input/Output)of the connections on each of the devices, to no avail. Where it really gets strange is, if I then attach an auxiliary adapter (KCM-122B) behind the TUA-T020XM in the same setup, I can hear the audio from that connection, but still not anything from the XM Tuner. At this point I'm HOPING it's just a bad Ai-Net cable, but I can't see how that could be if the very last device in line can prodcue an audible signal. I'm not sure if it matters, but I'm powering everything with a 20A power supply to test and plan the system indoors before I install everyting in my truck (winters get a little cold here). If ANYBODY has any ideas I'm open for suggestion, and am pretty willing to try just about anything at this point except visit Alpine's web site because it's pretty useless. Thanks in advance, and I love this site, it's extremely informative. Have a great day.

My guess is that u will have to use RCA connections from your xm box to the erA g320...i say this because Ai-Net offers audio info as well as signal data...7998 i presume is only a Pre Out unit is it not?

If this is the case then the ERA 320 will need rca inputs from your XM box...

try this( using Ai-Net)  HU (switch to EQ/DIV) to ERA-G320 then Your XM Box which u will  then use rca output into ERA input then ur KCM122B.

 Ai -net however is only limited to a certain level...Ai-net offers audio signal but also data control...ie control ur xm box from the deck...it cannot handle both data control and audio at the same time as sound processing..Too Much info for it to process..the reason why u have no signal from ur xm box but from the adpater plug is because ur xm box needs the Ai-net Data to control it and the Adapter is well just and adapter no need for control..

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Yes we aussies know a thing or two about 12 volts..

I have the same exact setup along with the 6 disk mp3 changer and I don't have any problems.  you may have a bent pin or a bad output on one of your AI connectors.  Also, make sure you have your HU and the DSP set to AI Net.  The Ai cable needs to come from the output on your XM unit and not the input.

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Do it right the first time

Thanks guys, Definitely something to check out. Torkey, I thought about that, but the XM Tuner I have only runs through Ai-Net, no RCA output. I have a new Ai-Net cable on the way, RayDawg, so hopefully you're correct. If nothing else, it's encouraging to know that somebody else is using the same setup successfully. I'll try the cable when it comes in as well as messing with the order of components from the HU. I'll be sure to post here if I find anything out.

OK, I tried the new cable, and all combinations of the old cables and it still didn't work. I couldn't find a way to switch the ERA-G320 to Ai-net, in the manual or on any switches on the exterior of the brain (there aren't any switches). I am sure that the head unit is switched to E/Q - DIV via a switch on the left side of the unit. I verified that the XM tuner had the Ai-Net cable attached to the "output" port, which then connects to the "changer in" port on the ERA-G320 (Brain). The other Ai-Net patch goes from the "Ai-Net in" port on the ERA-320 brain to the head unit. The auxilliary Ai-Net-RCA converter still doesn't seem to affect the setup when it's connected. I have a hunch if there's a bad port on one of the units, it'll be the brain of the ERA-G320, so I'm content with running the system without it right now. I would imagine the technology and processing power of the 7998 could probably at least match the G320 anyway. I would still like to use it at some point so, is there a way, besides what I've mentioned here and already tried hundreds of times, to test the ports on either the ERA-G320 or the TUA-T020XM, or will I have to just pick another one up or find a friend with one? Thanks again for the help guys.