Android Head Unit & JBL Amp Can-bus Issues

I just picked up a new Joying JY-TQ194N4G (Android 10.0) for my 2011 with JBL audio but non-Nav system. Joying included a canbus adapter unit. I’m having a few problems.

I guess I assumed, incorrectly, that that Joying canbus adapter would allow me to control the gain of the factory JBL amp, but apparently this is incorrect. So now I have a situation where the volume doesn’t get very loud at all. Additionally, the steering wheel controls are still not working, despite following all the directions provided by Joying.

My question is, how can I set the amp gain to something more useful? Looking at some of the aftermarket canbus solutions like Axxess and iDataLink, none seem to support Android Head Units.

I did try a method I saw online, which was to adjust the amp gain on the stock head unit before removing it, however, this didn’t improve the volume at all, so it seems the setting doesn’t persist in the amp for some reason.

I see several solutions, with varying degrees of cost:

1) Figure out how to interface the JBL amp. I’m stumped here.

2) Try a line booster to increase the pre-amp line output from the Joying’s weak 2v power. Seems cheap but may not get what I need (still can’t fade or balance audio).

3) Get a DSP that takes the Joying’s SPDIF output and creates a high voltage line level signal. More expensive and not necessarily any tangible benefit over a line booster.

4) Bypass the amp with something easier to interface. Probably the best but most expensive and time consuming option.

If anyone here has dealt with this, what’s your experience and recommendation? Thanks!

 

Yes, that would be fantastic. The stock amp’s gain is controlled by the head unit sending commands via the can-bus. There isn’t a knob on the side to crank. If you know of some way to change the gain I’d love to hear it!