D6lc

I have the dreaded, CDR23 HU now intermittently failing, read the threads and it seems to be the amp, with most replacing the amp and the HU.

I plan on changing the amp and HU, but really want to keep as much of the OE look as possible, I don't want a full screen HU with nav. All I want is decent sound, with iPod integration, I'm not interested in nav or BT.

Any recommendations? Any pics of head units that look standard?

Thanks for any suggestions

nymart

Don't know if this is too far from stock for you but here's mine..

Gator996

Which model Pioneer is that?

ccaarmerciill

Kenwood excellon KDC-X996.
You can Change the display colors to match the 996 interior lights almost perfectly. It is almost all black too so it matches well. Very good sound tweaking options, you can change a lot of settings including sound delay, x-over settings etc. I've had one in my last 3 cars. Has iPod/ Iphone support, pandora (never plays ads when plugged in), HD radio, Sirius ready, Bluetooth with included microphone. Highly reccomend.

It also has 3 seperate RCA inputs (front/ rear/ sub) some other decks I've had only had two.

alpine003

That's a first. Seems like everyone and their grandmothers want that huge honkin display or an iPad so they can watch movies or wonderful album art instead of just driving.

Becker, followed by Blaupunkt is your best bet IMO if you want the look of full OEM.

donking

I had the same issue for my 2003 and replaced the cdr23 with a single din Alpine keeping 10 of the original 11 speakers. The sub-woofer was the wrong impedance for the new amp, so had to put in a new one. Now have ipod, Bluetooth phone etc that still looks somewhat stock with a great sound.

Alpine CDE-HD138BT
JL Audio XD700/5

Will try to post pics later, the Alpine has blue lights which somewhat clash with the existing orange. The pioneer head unit may be a better match for the colors if you care about that stuff. The shop did an OK job under the hood.

rustymon

I had a Nakamichi CD-500 in and thought it fit perfectly... but if course I'm now moving to a nice big screen for nav and backup cameras like everyone else... !

Wausau 911

Are the above options compatible with the OEM Bose in my '04 C2?

donking

Here are the pics of the Alpine 138 and the JD Audio XD700 in the Frunk where the 6-changer CD and stock amp was located. Notice the Valentine radar remote unit plugged-into the lighter hole in the 2nd pic.

donking

10 of my 11 OEM Bose speakers worked with the aftermarket amp. The aftermarket head units don't generally work with the OEM Bose amp due to the fibre-optic connections between the cdr23 head unit and OEM amp.

DaveCarrera4

How many speakers are there with the Bose option? FWIW, in audiophile circles, Bose is considered the last choice for speakers, and I agree. Ask me how I know.

Sent from my iPad using Rennlist

Howaboutthat

Most of the Bose car audio stuff is superior to Bose home speakers. That said, I am happy that my Porsche had the non-Bose HiFi package so I could swap in some Focal and Memphis speakers. Allowed me to keep the Becker CDR220 head unit (great sounding and looks perfect in the dash) and put in an iPhone cable.

I have had three Bose systems in German cars (non-Porsche) -- one okay, one good, and one very good. Even better are offerings from makers like Focal, Dynaudio, (top-tier) JBL, and the like.

Howaboutthat

Those would be my choices, as well. The Kenwood looks better than most others from an OEM blending perspective, but Becker and Blaupunkt just look the part and send a perfectly fine audio signal.

6ta1

here is mine, it lights up in orange to match the interior lighting

narkose

I have a 2003 C4S and I assume it is a MOST system. How do I know what head unit I need to look for - I can't seem to find any indication on the manufacturer websites