For those of you having audio issues while retaining the factory amp, you are using the pre-amp outs on your new head units, correct? I'm not sure why some are having issues and some aren't. Conceptually as far as I understand it, swapping this way keeps everything setup the same as from the factory, just with a more modern head unit. I wonder if some brands of aftermarket head unit are performing differently depending on how they pick up the amp trigger signal, etc. Maybe we should setup a poll on which brand you chose, and whether it worked while retaining the factory amp or not?
I Installed a Pioneer and have had no issues in several years since.
I Installed a Pioneer and have had no issues in several years since.