GTV/Spider radio & CD

[Kentish]

My clarion head unit in my spider has decided to literally fall apart.

A good opportunity to replce it I thought.

But, question is can I match up a new head unit with the multi disc player?

Anyone know if there is another head unit to match?

[pdV6]

www.sportsalfa.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=10524

[richb]

Hi Kentish, the Clarion unit fitted to the Spider is not a particulary top end unit so you may as well replace both the head unit and CD stacker at the same time, I think you will struggle to get a different head unit to control the old Clarion CD stacker.

[Kentish]

I couldn't get the sportsalfa link to open...

Thank you both for the responses. I agree Rich, it's probably a good time to replace both since they weren't all that great to start with but I didn't want the hassle of fitting a new multichanger.

I may just leave the old unit in the boot and buy a head unit with MP3 capability or at least a socket to plug my iPod into.

Just a thought, are the conectors and leads on the multi disc changer all standard, if so I won't need to run a new cable from front to rear?

I think I already know the answer

[richb]

Kentish said:

I think I already know the answer

Indeed I suspect you do I think the strap lead between the head unit and changer is specific to Clarion. p.s. the speakers aren't much good either! Oh and that centre speaker really spoils the sound balance...

p.s. I got the link to open and it mentions a converter unit that Clarion supply to connect their newer head units to the old stacker and also apparently there is a compatible unit available so worth trying again.

Edited by richb on Monday 14th May 16:11

[Kentish]

Life is never THAT simple eh

I guess I may as well go for a good replacement set up.

I agree on that central speaker and it's a bit of a misrepresentation to call it a subwoofer - the door speakers are far more bass'y

I'm thinking I can probably squeeze 2 rear speakers in somewhere and remove the factory fitted sub and use the hole to port the rear cubby as a sound box, should sound OK in theory.

I'm rather fond of JVC head units as they sound great and look nice but not too flash and are a good price.

Uhhm, I'll have to do some browsing see what I can find.

Are there any popular door speaker upgrades?

[richb]

Kentish said:

Are there any popular door speaker upgrades?

try to spend 10 - 15 mins poking around the sportsalfa web site, there's lot's of good stuff on there particularly about the Spider speakers. They are a particular size and I think you may need adaptor plates unless you get the right size so I'd strongly recommend you pay it a visit.

[Kentish]

Thanks Rich and pdv, I'll have a dig around sportsalfa tonight.

Cheers!

[Kentish]

Some useful ideas here:-

www.sportsalfa.com/ice_luke.htm

[Kentish]

Rich, PDV,

What was the CD chsnger system used be Clarion before CeNET (prior to 2001)?

I still can't open that link!

I'm just looking at the Clarion site to see whether any current models are available to pair with the OE larion CD changer in the Spider.

Thanks,
K

[Kentish]

Would it be C-BUS control with a pre 2001 head unit and changer?

[pdV6]

C-BUS apparently

www.clarionworld.co.uk/stock/rcb138.asp

Note that I have no 1st hand experience of the OE Clarion gear as I bought my car in Denmark where its not fitted as standard; I had a Sony head & changer installed by the supplying dealer.

[Kentish]

Thanks Pete

I'm clueless when it comes to CD changers

So do you know whether a Ce Net head unit is Clarion specific or are most makes Ce Net compatible - in other words can I pair another make of head unit with the OE Clarion CD changer?

I noticed Blaupunkt also use C-BUS and Ce Net connection leads and to be honest I think they are a lot better quality than Clarion. Trouble is the head unit functions may not be compatible with the changer ....I guess?

[pdV6]

I'm not really the right person to ask - all I require out of a car stereo is that it plays the tunes I want and doesn't sound too bad.
I have dodgy hearing anyway, so super hi-fidelity has never been on my shopping list.

Luke on Sportsalfa is a bit of a hifi nut and knows his way around the GTV/Spider. I think he occasionally posts on here as Alfaholic.

[Kentish]

pdV6 said:

I'm not really the right person to ask - all I require out of a car stereo is that it plays the tunes I want and doesn't sound too bad.
I have dodgy hearing anyway, so super hi-fidelity has never been on my shopping list.

Luke on Sportsalfa is a bit of a hifi nut and knows his way around the GTV/Spider. I think he occasionally posts on here as Alfaholic.

Thanks Pete, I must register on sports alfa. I have seen Lukes guide to upgrading just about everything on the GTV/Spider audio kit. I'm not going that mad to be honest; I'm initially going to keep the OE door speakers as they seem reasonable and I will be replacing that damn awful joke of a sub with something a little more decent. I may give up the rear cubby space to an active sub install and use the speaker hole as a vent (covered internally with acoustic foam).

But first I need to decide whether I am going to try and get a low tech radio cassette head unit to replace the OE Clarion with a C-BUS connection for the OE CD changer, or I could go for a whole new CD package with matching Ce Net head unit and changer but to be honest even the Ce Net CD changers are now looking like old tech.

So I'm also looking into scrapping both the Head unit and changer and going for a nice new single CD head unit with USB and iPod interfacing and bluetooth phone interface which will also stream MP3 tracks from my phone without the need for any wires!

There are also head units with built in memory for integrated music storage (no CDs, no iPod, no MP3s), just pop the CDs in and record straight onto the head unit.

Arrgh - too many options!

[pdV6]

Kentish said:

There are also head units with built in memory for integrated music storage (no CDs, no iPod, no MP3s), just pop the CDs in and record straight onto the head unit.

Now that appeals to me! No faffing with CDs, just got all your music in the car. I guess an iPod interface is the same deal but marginally more flexible?

[Kentish]

I went for one of these:-



It has:-
» Power Output (4 X 50 Watt)
» MOS-FET Power Amp
» 24-Bit Resolution 1-Bit DAC
» Direct iPod input and control
» MP3/WMA Compatible more info»
» CD-R/RW Compatible
» 3Band EQ
» 2.5V Line Output Level
» Line Output Terminals (1 Pair)
» Detachable Face
» Front AUX-Input
» DAB Ready (via optional KT-DB1000)

CD Section
» CD Text
» Direct Track Access (1-12)
» Random/Repeat Play
» +/-10 Key Function

Changer Control Section
» MP3 Control
» CD Text
» Direct Disc Select (1-12)
» Random/Repeat Play
» Optional Line IN(U57/U58)
» +/- 10 Key Function

Tuner Section
» HS-IV Tuner
» IF Filter
» 6 AM and 18 FM Presets
» SSM (for FM)
» Seek (Up/Down)
» AFNS/PNC
» Stereo/Mono Switch (for FM)
» RDS

Amplifier Section
» Balance/Fader Control
» Volume Attenuator
» S.BASS
» Max. Amp Gain Switcher

Display Section
» Union Jack LCD
» Dimmer (Manual)
» Black Mask

General Section
» Detachable Control Panel with Carrying Case
» Rotary Encoder Multi-Control
» Wireless Remote Control ready
» COMPU PLAY
» Power-Off Mode Eject
» Preferred Setting Mode
» Telephine Mute
» Steering Remote
» ISO CABLE