Need Help with Audio Issue

[Manatee]

I have a 2004 G35 Coupe and for a while the speakers would make that loud thumping noise when turning on the stereo. Finally, the stereo quit playing altogether. The head unit comes on and shows that the CDs are playing or that the stereo is playing, but no noise comes out of the speakers. I took my car to a local stereo place and he said he'd just replace the head unit. He doesn't troubleshoot. Best Buy won't troubleshoot it because it's not an aftermarket stereo. I guess I'll have to take it to a dealer to troubleshoot it, but i'm not about to have them do the work. I hear it's very expensive. Anyone else have similar issues with your stereo? I think it's got to be a amp or speaker issue since the head unit seems to be playing ok. Any help is sure appreciated.

[biggie]

03-04 headunits are known for issues. Most find places to fix them or they replace them.

This is one option that a few have used:
http://www.shortcircuitrepair.com/

[Manatee]

Thanks for replying Biggie. I appreciate it. I'm not sold that it's the head unit. Wouldn't it be the amp if the head unit powers up and the CD is running and showing the time left in teh song on the unit? Also, if speakers were making loud popping sound when closing the little cubby above the AC, I'd think it has to be the amp. the problem is no car audio places around here will troubleshoot it for me. Dealer will look at it for $132, but i don't want them to do a new head unit if that's the case. I heard a new OEM amp is around $600. Can that be right??? Seems way too high. I'd go have a new amp put in if i knew for a fact that's what the issue is. Any more ideas???

[biggie]

It may be something else, just the headunit is the most common problem. An audio place should be able to test the amp I would think.