07 Maxima Bose System With Hissing Noise

[cuyoda]

I purchased an 07 Maxima with the upgraded Bose system this past August. Immediately after picking it up, I noticed that there is a constant hissing noise emminating from all 8 speakers when the stereo is on and in any mode (CD, radio, satelite radio). It is a constant noise that does not variate with engine speed, etc. The noise is most noticeable if you toggle between mute and level 1 of the volume. It is a fairly low level noise, but is very distracting when listening to music that has quite areas in it. The noise kind of sounds like a "white noise" hiss. I have tried modifying every adjustment I can find- the balance, fade, bass, treble, speed sensitive settings- nothing helps. The noise is always constant and always there- from all eight speakers evenly. I have taken it to two different dealers for a diagnosis. Both concluded that it is normal for the system and let me sit in identical Maximas on the lot- indeed, they did have the same noise. Incidentally, one of them showed me a car with a base system that didn't have the noise. Needless to say, I am _very_ dissappointed in the performance of the system. I feel like I paid extra for an upgraded system that sounds worse then the base system. IMO, any decent stereo should be nearly silent unless there is music playing. This thing sounds terrible. I have also tried calling Nissan Costumer "Care" and Bose directly to try an remedy the problem- both avenues where a waiste of time as I can't even get anyone to return my repeated phone calls.Has anyone else heard of or experienced this problem with their factory installed Bose system? Is there anyway to eliminate the noise I am hearing? Seems to me like a bad ground or something, but I don't know enough about how the system is installed to know how to check much of anything.

I can't say I am really impressed with the system otherwise either- its not very stronge and does not have the best bass in the world. As a last resort, how feasible is it to replace the system? I ask since the HU is interlaced with the climate control read-outs- its not like you can buy any aftermarket HU and just stick it in there. I guess I am wondering how to go about the whole process if I am wanting to improve the system. Is it incredibly difficult or expensive based on the current setup?

Thanks for any input as this noise is driving me crazy.