John Boggiano

Now that I have a PC that can burn CDs, I might consider changing my 1990 C2's original audio system (tape deck/tuner).

Is there a CD/tuner that will have the same 'look' to it and will fit straight in?

TIA

John Miles

John,
The <a href="http://www.becker.de/beckerCC21/www_root/index.jsp?language=En" target="_blank">Becker</a> range is superb. Currently the factory fit for UK Porsches. It has great radio quality/features and is very good visual fit. All the others I looked at were too flashy. Literally, green/blue/red lights everywhere and fiddly buttons.
Ergonomically, it is excellent. eg Traffic Info Cancel is very easy, just tap the big volume **** on the left which also acts as an instant mute. Sonys/Alpines usually make you hunt for a tiny little button.
Buy it on the internet from <a href="http://www.caraudiodiscount.com/acatalog/Product_Becker_4.html" target="_blank">Car Audio Discount</a> or from Germany for the best prices.
Here is a pic in situ.
John

<img src="http://www.porsche964.co.uk/technical/images/Dscf1727.jpg" alt=" - " />

rutz964C4

I installed a nakamichi CD-45Z or 35Z unit looks quite nice on the dash and when you ordered you have to choose the color of the light yellow (or kind of) or green.

ALEX

Bins

I still prefer the Alpine range. Really good sound. Some also play mp3.

Rob W.

I've also got a Becker Mexico the same as John's. It is about the only head unit on the market that doesn't have a Xmas tree of multi-coloured flashing lights. Also, it is the simplest and easiest to use head unit I've ever had (and I've been through umpteen set-ups with the trick installs and ear-bleeding db phase in my late teens).

There must be a reason that Becker is now OEM for Porsche, Ferrari, Mercedes and Lamborghini.

69COU

I have just changed my setup, It was originally a factory upgrade to have a Sony head unit , Amps & 10 disc autochanger.

I always thought that idea of having a Japanese head unit that did nopt look 100% right in the dash needed a change.

In addition as my car is a 1991 even top of the range stuff from 12 years ahgo is not going to be as good as mid range stuff today. The CD UNIT was trhe size of a suitcase and took up all the boot.

Well I went for a Blaupunkt St Louis and 10 disk autochanger and it looks and feels much better like it was part of the setup. (I wanted to have 10 disk again and also cassette) This was also one of the few lines that did not look like a Christmas Tree.

A Few new Blaupunt similar models are on sale on ebay ( Sold my sony stuff on ebay )

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3012409034&category=3289" target="_blank">Blaaupunkt</a> But have a search ,

I will post seperately before and after looks of the set up.

Also before changing head unit I upgraded the speaker system to MB Quart speakers all round and the sound quality of this alone was a great change on originals. Sounded like a up to date
Hi Fi system.

Ruairidh

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Rob W:
<strong>

There must be a reason that Becker is now OEM for Porsche, Ferrari, Mercedes and Lamborghini.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Unfortunately the cynic in me would suggest that may have something to do with how aggressive Becker are in selling to the Procurement arms of those car companies! Not to say Becker aren't a good product, more a reflection on the realities of Car companies approach in 2003.

Ruairidh

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by John Boggiano:
<strong>Now that I have a PC that can burn CDs, I might consider changing my 1990 C2's original audio system (tape deck/tuner).

TIA</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">One recommendation is that you do look for MP3 capability - the ability to have 10 times as many songs on a CDR is very convenient.

John Boggiano

That's a good point, R.

Ragin' Bajan

If you're considering the MP3 option, and you're cheap (like me), one possibility is to use a portable MP3 player and plug it into the AUX input of the head unit. There are extensions you can run in the back of the dashboard and out of, say, the ash tray. A bit of fiddling is the downside.

I also like the <a href="http://www.eclipse-web.com/" target="_blank">Eclipse</a> in-dash CD players. My father has one and they're great stuff!

993chaz

I have also heard that the Eclipse quality is second to none. I checked some out at a local audio shop, the controls feel like precision instruments, and not like dials and *****.

John Miles

John,
I would not recommend the mp3 CD route. Been there.
I have all my music collection on mp3. Everytime we buy a CD I just automatically insert it in the PC and rip. Making mp3 CDs is a chore. Initially interesting but then you never get around to it and low and behold the cd you want to hear is not on the mp3 cds you have in the car.
Best solution is to get a disk based mp3 player.
IMO the Apple iPod is way the top of the league. I have the 20Gb version. Just plug it into your PC and it automatically syncs up with your PC mp3s. Note you can now buy a Windows version of the iPod and not just a Mac version.

So now you have all your CDs in your pocket on the Ipod to play anywhere you wish.

In the car also! I have a Becker Mexico Pro that has Aux inputs. You can get a cable from Becker for £10 that plugs into the back of the Becker with phono plugs on the other end. Then just use a mini-jack to phono lead to conect your iPod headpone outputs to the Becker cable.

I drilled a small hole in the rear of my glove box and fed the cable through. I keep the iPod in the gloveboz or resting on the passenger seat.

With this approach you have all your music everywhere with little mp3 maintenance.

Not sure how many other head units have Aux input selectable from the unit's front panel.

Becker IS the best.

John

PS, the third phono input on the cable is for taking input from a phone car kit into the Becker.

<img src="http://www.porsche964.co.uk/images/External%20Parking/ipodbecker400.jpg" alt=" - " />

tonyc

John,

I'm in the same boat. I'm no techie but think that CD's must now be old technology, and think precious space saving mp3 technology must be the way to go. I have been waiting for something like this which seems to be a WIRELESS way of transmitting music from your PC to your car's audio system.

Here is the link.

<a href="http://www.omnifimedia.com/home/" target="_blank">http://www.omnifimedia.com/home/</a>

Saw an article on this and perhaps someone who is more technically minded can give us their option.
From what i gather from this it seems up my street.

Tony

69COU

As said earlier I would post the full details regarding set up changes i made to the Bluapunkt head unit/cd etc.

Also some details on the the speaker upgrade root that was taken.

The link below takes you to another thread where i posted the details. Worth a read as well for alternative ways people have upgraded audio. <img border="0" alt="[burnout]" title="" src="graemlins/burnout.gif" />

Please see <a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=003780;p=2" target="_blank">Change from Sony to Blaupunkt</a>