A_ZMAN7

I can try considering this has turned into a short term experiment already.

I do know the 4 pin plug that goes into the merc amp has no where to go on the hyundai.

The 4 pin plug starts here back to this antenna "booster"
I can assume this is why there are no radio stations being picked up



Not sure if this part is connected to the command volume control.
but I can assume not having that in any non merc or aftermarket amplifier is going to be the bane on the system where command volume controls would are lost

BOTUS

that box is an antenna amplifier - it has nothing to do with vol control (just radio signals)

the fibre MOST connector mulitiplug has two fibre orange leads, and then three wires, two power up the control circuits, and one does the controlling... (the same set up is on the DAB tuner for Europe), but I suspect the vol signal is inside the MOST signals and is proprietary code to Merc thus the Hyundai amp has no knowledge this signal is going round the circuit. Unless unusually Merc had each source does is own Vol adjustment and the power amp just amplifies whatever its given. But then the comand on a CD should have vol control and its ONLY addon modules (TV DAB SAT Tuner TV etc.) that doesn't ???

megacrazy

But I thought kookie figured it all out. I also thought it was just a wire running from the command unit to the amp that controls the volume. Why would they put it on a data bus they’re already implementing

I would assume audio data along with volume is on the most bus as well. I would assume that with enough knowledge, time and money a converter box could be built to translate between the 2 units…assuming everything else works.

BOTUS

megacrazy, I think its these posts below... reads like he said he fixed it, but re reading its saying he had a spare wire (although that doesn't make sense there is nothing spare)

Or does he mean the Black Fakra on the car goes to the cream connector on the Amp and it works (still leaving the Black socket for another antenna that Hyundai use ?)

two fakra we see plugged in (for antennas - it has AM, FM, LW, SW tuners inside the amp - but why does it get two is one the phone system antenna input? or does short wave need its own antenna?)
the Fibre MOST multiplug we see plugged in
the main power in and speakers out multiplug (that must be in or nothing could work)
what we see in the later picture is a THIRD fakra connector on Hyundai amp (which is what, DAB or SAT Radio input built in ????) with nothing to connect coz that's not part of what Merc do....

.

megacrazy

The only connection between the comand control unit and the amp is via MOST. According to SDS: "The functionalities for volume and sound settings as well as for amplification of audio signals run in the audio tuner control unit (N93/1) before the audio signals are output via the speaker system."

So, to simplify, audio and control data are sent via the MOST bus. Everything else connected to the amp is antennas/antenna amplifiers/microphone etc. Nothing will be solved by connecting additional magical wires to the amp.

MKnightMD

The Genesis amp has a speed sensitive volume control. This might have something to do with the volume not working in the MB. Did you ever get this issue of volume control fixed?

550Ken

so it’s basic plug and play? Just no volume control unless I’m using the Aux option ?

BOTUS

there is no evidence this amp from another brand has any functionality

MKnightMD

BOTUS,
I have this Genesis amp installed. It is PLUG & PLAY. I had to drill new mount holes for the mounting bracket (three as opposed to the 4 original.)
The main issue is there is no volume control from the OEM headunit. Otherwise, everything works.

megacrazy

Thats a rather large problem. How much is this amp new from Hyundai or is eBay the only source?

I am pretty sure I could put together a converter that would adjust the volume data but not sure if could be done economically considering the development involved.

The second aspect is why not just fix the stock amp when it breaks? The faults are usually minor. Burnt fuse, blown caps etc. Hardly rocket science…unless other components that can’t be sourced go bad.

BOTUS

Hold on surely no vol control is way more serious than just can't change the vol..... what happens with Nav and Traffic overlay - there is NO default level - its where you last had it - so if its wrong you can never adjust it - if it were mine I put the Genesis amp in a skip - the idea sounds worse than the flaky original

MKnightMD

Hello Megacrazy,
Your input helped me install the Android screen into my S65. The S63 has the Genesis Amp after blowing its amp due to the well documented design flaw and improperly oriented OEM integrated fan blowing dust into the amp.
The Genesis Amp runs under $200
The repair on the OEM MB HK amp runs 300+, and there are not many people who will do it.
If you are savvy at this, I am willing to send you my amp for an eval to see how the R & R could be done. There is a guy overseas who did a you tube breakdown on his repairs...easy if you know how to do it ...lol

MKnightMD

BOTUS,
Here is what I have noticed. I can increase the volume by turning it up, turning off the audio, and restarting it. That is the way I have done it. Haven't really noted any issues with Nav and such, so you are correct in that there is some adjustability. There is just no on-demand real time volume control with the OEM knob as we are accustomed to with the OEM amp.

Chachd72

Has anyone tried buying a replacement amp from Crutchfield? They have amps from $250 to $1,500 that they say are compatible with Mercedes systems. I've used them in the [past for other cars and they are knowledgeable and offer excellent tech support and you can always return if it doesn't work, which you can't do when you buy a used one.

megacrazy

The Hyundai amp is 200 used, and about 800 new as far as I can tell. 300$ for a fix is more than reasonable depending on what's involved. If we could get the Hyundai amp for 300 new...now that would be something.

I appreciate the offer but the R&D cost is time spent decoding the MOST protocol, building prototypes, building a bench test setup (comand controller, unit, display, speakers etc.). The cost of the amp is negligible in this equation.

It's good to know there's another option but I think the volume issue is a major one. If mine fails, I will fix it and upgrade the fan to something better. Maybe it's worthwhile to install a filter on the fan, seeing how most people assume the failure is because of dust getting in and causing issues.

EasyPhil

The Hyundai amp can be had for as little as $80.

MKnightMD

Thanks for the tip...did not know...MOST (pun intended) people think that MB does not play well with other aftermarket units.

MKnightMD

Phil,
Have you managed to sort the volume issue? Please share!

MKnightMD

MEGAGRAZY, it seems the issue is the dust causes conduction or static electrical discharge across sensitive components and essentially short circuits the board. Seems to me the fan should be blowing OUTWARD, and maybe even have a larger fan given the issue these amps face is also vent/heating related. Last issue is the area seems prone to moisture and water intrusion, so some sort of plastic protective barrier might help mitigate these issues.

EasyPhil

My original amp is working fine...I'm commenting on the current market price of a used amp.

BOTUS

if the amp works has anyone tried to flash the Merc software at it - its a 20 min job ?

BOTUS

there's a bunch of chipsets that get zero airflow and run hot enough to burn your finger >80C

megacrazy

Link?

megacrazy

Thats’s and interesting idea. Might be worth getting a used amp and trying.

EasyPhil

I would expect a tech savvy person such as yourself to be familiar with eBay.