Brian, thank you for your speedy response!

I am seeing the DSP option on the nav screen and it's not shutting off after 30 seconds so i know that at least some if it is hooked up properly. Regarding the outputs from the head unit to the amp, do you know which ones carry the sound output i should check? would that go into the larger 15-pin plug on the amp or the smaller 18-pin (i think) plug?
Strangely, though, the "Room/Echo" and "Set" options of the DSP menu are greyed out. Not always though, sometimes they are available and i can't figure out why that is.

Also, is there a relay that could be limiting the sound from the speakers?

Lastly, the previous owner replaced the factory CD changer with a alpine CD changer with a blitzsafe converting the connection. I'm not sure why he did this. So... although i have a round plug on the amp that should go to the CD changer ( i guess), it's not going anywhere right now.

Once again, thank you for your help!