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CD Head Unit for Early 944

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Old 02-17-2005, 08:40 PM
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jamiejim
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Default CD Head Unit for Early 944

I'm looking for a simple, amber lighting, CD head unit for my 1984 944. Want something that will look "stock" with the interior. Needs to have separate output to control the amp and volume on the 8" subs. I currently have a Sony CDX-M610 installed by PO that skips more than it plays CDs. Any and all suggestions are appreciated, and pix would be GREAT.
Old 02-17-2005, 08:46 PM
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Chris_924s
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Good luck. I've kept the stock Reno, and will as long as it still works.
Check out www.crutchfield.com to see if anything suits your taste.
Old 02-17-2005, 08:48 PM
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jamiejim
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I searched through Crutchfield but didn't see anything I liked. I've also checked several local car audio stores, with no luck. Hoping someone has found the "perfect" unit and can share it with the rest of us. Early interior alsohas the stereo mounted lower, and hard to get at the buttons with the shifter, and the flip down face on my Sony hits the sunroof button.
Old 02-17-2005, 08:53 PM
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Stuttgart 944
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I just bought an Alpine head unit. It doesnt look stock but it does match the center console becuase it is silver. Sony makes black cd players/radios that will match your interior (i'm assuming it's black) very nicely. Good luck!
Old 02-17-2005, 08:56 PM
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sm
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Ahhh, I think you'll like the Nakamichi CD-400. It has 4 preouts, 1 aux input, selectable lighting (including amber), and that Nakamichi sound quality. All this is just heresay - don't have one, yet.
Old 02-17-2005, 09:13 PM
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jamiejim
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As I had never heard of "Nakamichi" I wasn't sure if you were pulling my leg to get me to look. Did a quick internet search and it looks like a possibility, assuming I can find it on e-bay for much less than the $300 price I saw it for.
Old 02-17-2005, 10:07 PM
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Nakamichi has been high end audio for a long time. IMHO it's better than Sony, Yamaha.
I know the Home stereo stuff is very nice.
Old 02-17-2005, 11:09 PM
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theedge
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Take a look at Alpines, many of them have the tilt face feature so that might make it easier to see/use in an early car. They also have preouts for front, rear, and subs.
Old 02-17-2005, 11:23 PM
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jamiejim
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Any idea if any of these will fit in an early 944 without requiring wiring modifications?
http://search.ebay.com/porsche-cd-pl...fkrZ1QQfromZR8
Old 02-17-2005, 11:25 PM
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Redlyne_mr2
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Originally Posted by Chris_924s
Nakamichi has been high end audio for a long time. IMHO it's better than Sony, Yamaha.
I know the Home stereo stuff is very nice.
Ive got Nakamichi in my mr2 turbo. Its the best deck money can buy.
Old 02-18-2005, 01:10 PM
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jamiejim
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Does anyone know if the Porsche CDR23 units I see on ebay will fit an early 944 without requiring dash modifications? Does it have a separate output to drive my amp/subs?
Old 02-18-2005, 03:23 PM
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I run a Blaupunkt Honolulu CD50.
Decent power. Looks OEM as this was before Blaupunkt went rice.
Orange/Amber illumination.
Should have all the plug-ins you need.
(Pic at auction below is with the crap Chrysler dash plate. For The Porsche you ditch the plate and it is a simple DIN drop in)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...spagename=WDVW
Old 02-18-2005, 03:38 PM
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Charlotte944
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I have a Kenwood KDC-S3007 in my 951. Unit has decent sound, RCA outputs, and an amber display.
Old 02-18-2005, 06:23 PM
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ernestedward
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Originally Posted by jamiejim
Any idea if any of these will fit in an early 944 without requiring wiring modifications?
http://search.ebay.com/porsche-cd-pl...fkrZ1QQfromZR8

Without clicking your link, the answer is no. Some cutting/soldering will be required. There isn't a wiring harness that fits the earlies anymore, or I've never found one. Crutchfield definitely doesn't have one.

That being said, it isn't difficult. At all. If you can read a voltmeter, you can get it sorted.

I agree with the sentiment to get an alpine. You'll be hard pressed to find something that looks "stock," so I recommend going with "classy" or "elegant." Also, Alpines consistently are a better value than yamahas and sonys (UGH). Stay away from Blau - their quality is not nearly what it used to be.

Edit: didn't see that they were porsche players... assuming makes a you know what.

Last edited by ernestedward; 02-18-2005 at 11:18 PM.
Old 02-18-2005, 07:21 PM
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Charlie
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If the CDR220 does not come with the wiring plug will require you to order one from Becker, it does not use the same plug that the old 944 radios use. You will also have to send the faceplate to Becker for another one that can be seen in the 944. The new faceplate is $50. The CDR220 is a very nice unit. When you first turn the radio on the display says "PORSCHE". The features are simple and it has RCA outs for another amp. It also looks like a unit from the 1980's with an amber display.

I don't think the CDR23 will work in a 944. It has the best I recall the "MOST" system where it is fiber optically linked to other devices in the car and would not be worth the time and effort to hook up.

Here are a couple of pictures of the CDR220 in a 944. The first picture shows the unit but you can't tell the color of the display because of the camera flash.
I took the second without flash so you could see the amber display.
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Last edited by Charlie; 02-18-2005 at 11:56 PM.


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