I called Terk since I thought it might be the antenna. They said that since this unit is meant to be used with an FM modulator, Panasonic stepped up the output voltage on the RCA outs. While the instructions said you could go from that out to an aux in, it is probably not meant to.

The distortion is almost identical to turning up your radio real loud. Bass, vocals "clip" and sound distorted, sorta like static. I knew it was some sort of gain issue. I'm just surprised that the Empeg can't handle 2V RMS in.

I will stop by "the shack" on my way home and see what they can do! Also, for wiring, which part of an RCA is (+/-)? Is the center pin positive of the outer ring?

Thanks again.