I tried the portable cd player idea, and i don't hear the static, at this point it is the empeg to the amp. I bought decent rca's and they run with teh power for about 1 ft, if that.

no static on pause.. louder with volume, "below" the music. This is an install with components previously used with no probs in other cars. I used the stock deck ground, do you think that this ground could be the problem? FWIW this is not a whiney alternator situation. i had that too and redid the ground, taking care of it. it is quiet but very noticable static.. particularly noticable on quiet parts of the music. Affects all files, regardless of rip/encoding/bitrate. The ground is the only thing i can think of, i find it unlikely it is from running the power and rca's together for a foot.

feedback greatly appreciated, cheers.