Another guess: If this only happens when listening to CD then it could be the CD itself, try cleaning. The KDC-X659 has a 0-bit mute thing that mutes the stereo when there's no signal. I'm not sure how it's supposed to work (does it mute for skips/etc?), but cleaning the CD player won't hurt.

Good luck!

 

mas - I thought about this too, however it does it with just about any CD (purchased or burned) and the radio. Also, it's not muting, it's attenuating - the sound is there, just very quiet.

PJK3 - I will try cleaning the contacts again for good measure.

Lucid, et al - I have an e-mail into Kenwood support... will probably get an RMA and be without my stereo for a long time.