My panasonic CQ-DP383U head unit is skipping at high volume. I am running 2 alpine MRP-M350 amps to 2 alpine type R 12" subs, with a 1 farad Phoniex Gold cap. I upgraded the big 3 yesterday, and replacing the amp power wire from 8 gauge to 1/0 gauge today. The factory speakers in my 97' toyota avalon, are currently running off the panasonic head unit, which claims 50W into 4 channels.

I don't know if the panasonic deck is just garbage and needs to be replaced, or if ran the factory speakers off another amp would it solve the problem? If so, which amp is recommend for this?

Thanx in advance!

You have one of two issues. A mounting issue with the cd player being either too loose or too tight. The more likely issue is that it is a resonant frequency issue with the laser sled. If the shock wave of the subs are causing the laser sled to skip worse than two little girls with a rope, then a different cd player is in your future.

^^ Nice analogy...

My 14 yr old says she will take you on in a skipping comp anytime...

As for the other question in the original post, it's always a better idea to run your mids and highs off an amp instead of the built-in deck power...

__________________
BigRedGuy
Still bumpin' after all these years
Kenwood/AudioControl/Orion/JL Audio/Lightning Audio

If it is the sled, how would another player be better suited to handle these vibrations? As well, which CD player would be a better choice, given my current system?

A different deck may have a different mounting system for the laser sled, one that vibrates at another frequency or not at all.

If you push on the dash around the deck while the system is running, does it stop the deck from shaking? Is the back of the deck braced with anything?

HTH

__________________
BigRedGuy
Still bumpin' after all these years
Kenwood/AudioControl/Orion/JL Audio/Lightning Audio

I'm only guessing but it sounds like a mounting issue with the HU. It shouldn't skip. Panasonic has a pretty good history of making decks that don't skip. If its not just a mounting issue is it too late for warranty? Part of it may be tied to your second problem. Running the internal amp makes most HU's get hot. With all that power on 2 12" subs, seems to me you'd need a lot more power on the other 4 speakers anyway. 50w on 4 speakers is only 12.5 each.

The deck was installed by A&B sound, so I am attempting to see if it was properly backed and braced myself. Unfortunately the warrenty has expired. Actually, a while ago I sent the HU in to be checked out because of this problem. Everything was reported fine, but the skipping continued, so i have been driving with it for quite a while now, but I can't stand the skipping anymore.

I don't believe the deck is physically shaking as far as I can tell. But i have tried pressing on it at high volume, and it doesn't resolve the problem.