Head unit/DAB recommendations

[MrChips]

Although it's been 2yrs since my stereo stopped working, i'm thinking now is a good time to get it sorted. Anyone have any recent recommendations for a new head unit? It's a mk2 Tuscan and I'll be keeping the existing 2 front speakers in the dash.

Not looking for amazing sound quality, but it must have DAB, and a rear iPod/USB connection.

So far i've come up with this Pioneer:
Pioneer X8700

However I removed the external DAB aerial when i had the respray as I thought it spoilt the lines of the boot, so are there any decent internal DAB aerials now available? If not then i may need to stick to something without it such as:

Pioneer X560


Anyone else changed head unit recently and have any recommendations?

[FarmyardPants]

I fitted the 8700 a few months ago.

Pros:
Good sound quality
Plays flac files via USB (not many do, it seems, and one of the reasons for purchase)
Good bt integration with phone (eg can use Siri hands free which works surprisingly well)
Quite attractive and can select colours of display

Cons:
Short on buttons, too reliant on menu system
No pause button! Only BT playback from phone can be paused without menu navigation
Easy to accidentally press knob when changing volume
MixTrax feature is crap chav gimmick

I have the top fm/dab antenna from dabs on wheels (can't remember the model name) in the boot of the cerb (on top of petrol tank) and I would rate fm reception 3/10 and dab 6/10

[alex_gray255]

I've been looking into some Android based options recently - http://www.autopumpkin.com - plus others as well.

The quality is a little bit unknown (i.e. mixed reviews), but the benefit is you can install and run Android based apps, do internet,
run Torque (or other Android based Sp6 software - like Aides), so infinitely expandable.

Plus active community with patches etc. They are OSs...

[MPoxon]

No DAB but I went for a Pioneer DEH-80PRS for mine recently. It has 2 x rear USBs for iPhone / Android phones and bluetooth audio which suits me. I generally listen to digital radio via my phone now anyway.

The struggle for me was finding headunit that wasn't a disco ball.

[Englishman]

A few years ago I fitted a Pioneer DEH-X8500DAB (wanted DAB, BlueTooth handsfree phone, USB) to the Cerb with a top quality DAB aerial inside one of the C pillars rather than drilling a hole in the roof or boot. Very happy with the result. I'm sure the head unit has been superseded, but the aerial is a Kinetic DRA-6001, which is still sold.

Edited by Englishman on Tuesday 29th March 16:28

[MartH70]

We fitted a DEH-X9600bt in our mk1 , very nice but no dab. Sounds great, very easy to use and even fits the old cage If you would like photos just let me know...

[MrChips]

MartH70 said:

We fitted a DEH-X9600bt in our mk1 , very nice but no dab. Sounds great, very easy to use and even fits the old cage If you would like photos just let me know...

Yes please! I think this is now the front runner of the ones without DAB. I thought they were switching analogue off years ago and I do like the DAB in my daily but much prefer the looks of this one (same front as the 80PRS above I think?)

Thanks for the other replies and good to know you can get a DAB aerial to work as well.

So in an ideal world... Sleek looks and DAB and a rear usb. The hunt continues!

[ou sont les biscuits]

MPoxon said:

The struggle for me was finding headunit that wasn't a disco ball.

That's why I went for this, (MVH-8300BT) which doesn't do anything the OP wants - iPod goes in at the front, no DAB, but as it only has one big button it looks simple, and that suits the Chim. Plus, the non removeable outer trim is a bit bigger than the one fitted to the original Pioneer, which covers up the oversized DIN hole cut into the replacement steel fascia.

[MPoxon]

That looks nice Iain, suits the car.

[Argent]

Sony CDX DAB500U with dabonwheels Kinetic DRA-6003 DAB/FM/AM aerial bundle (recommended by Carl Baker who installed it in the boot) . Very happy with it.

A.

Edited by Argent on Wednesday 30th March 11:36

[Cider Andy]

I have a Kenwood KDC-BT73DAB in the van that I've been very happy with. Has the functions you need and more.

[paul1962]

Shame the Kenwood doesn't play FLAC files

I've been searching for a new head unit for a while, the lack of FLAC support is a real pain.

Will watch this thread to see if anyone comes up with anything.

Paul

[MartH70]

[Konrod]

I went for Blaupunkt Toronto as I wanted a balanced look with clean lines, and as you say, no disco ball. Not DAB, but rear (remote) USB and AUX as well as front, Bluetooth and external Mic port for Phone (which it turns out is pointless with roof down and no cats in ). Pain to fit though as you'll need to remove dash top to get to those rear cables.

[Bassfiend229hp]

MPoxon said:

No DAB but I went for a Pioneer DEH-80PRS for mine recently. It has 2 x rear USBs for iPhone / Android phones and bluetooth audio which suits me. I generally listen to digital radio via my phone now anyway.

The struggle for me was finding headunit that wasn't a disco ball.

Does this one have built in amps or does it need an external amp?

Phil

[MPoxon]

Bassfiend229hp said:

Does this one have built in amps or does it need an external amp?

Phil

Hello Phil,

Yes it has internal amps, the standard MOSFET 50 W x 4 affair. The unit also has a clever 3 way high voltage crossover network in the form of RCA pre outs. I have recently removed the external amps from mine and now run straight off the head unit on recommendation of Carl Baker. I used to get a lot of electrical noise through the speakers. Carl has recently installed a 4 new MB Quarts speakers for me running directly from he head unit internal amps. Sounds spot on now.

Don't often listen to music in the car for obvious reasons but it is nice to have when you are sat on the motorway for hours at a time.

Matthew

[Bassfiend229hp]

MPoxon said:

Bassfiend229hp said:

Does this one have built in amps or does it need an external amp?

Phil

Hello Phil,

Yes it has internal amps, the standard MOSFET 50 W x 4 affair. The unit also has a clever 3 way high voltage crossover network in the form of RCA pre outs. I have recently removed the external amps from mine and now run straight off the head unit on recommendation of Carl Baker. I used to get a lot of electrical noise through the speakers. Carl has recently installed a 4 new MB Quarts speakers for me running directly from he head unit internal amps. Sounds spot on now.

Don't often listen to music in the car for obvious reasons but it is nice to have when you are sat on the motorway for hours at a time.

Matthew

That sounds like the next one for me then ... I've become really used to having Bluetooth for music in the Megane (although I can't get along with the Sony head unit ergonomics) find a non-gaudy head unit has been hard ... I was ideally looking for a mechless unit but this isn't far off with the CD slot being hidden.

Phil

[MrChips]

I've emailed Pioneer to see if they'll be releasing the DEH-X9600BHS to the UK.

Looks the same as the nice one above, but has DAB (I think USA's "HD Radio" is the same thing is it not?)

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/CD-Rece...

[Bassfiend229hp]

MrChips said:

I've emailed Pioneer to see if they'll be releasing the DEH-X9600BHS to the UK.

Looks the same as the nice one above, but has DAB (I think USA's "HD Radio" is the same thing is it not?)

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/CD-Rece...

No - HD Radio is different ...

I hadn't realised the 80PRS doesn't do DAB but to be honest DAB is pretty crap, the plans to shut down FM and move to DAB only are pretty much in tatters and *PERSONALLY* I see DAB and DAB+ pretty much being slipped by internet radio services and streaming services - hence why I wanted Bluetooth.

Phil

[ChimpOnGas]

Bassfiend229hp said:

No - HD Radio is different ...

I hadn't realised the 80PRS doesn't do DAB but to be honest DAB is pretty crap, the plans to shut down FM and move to DAB only are pretty much in tatters and *PERSONALLY* I see DAB and DAB+ pretty much being slipped by internet radio services and streaming services - hence why I wanted Bluetooth.

Phil

You are so right there Phil, I got the DAB working Ok on my Pure Highway H260DBi but while I was getting it working I got into streaming internet radio via Blutooth from the TuneIn app on my phone.

Music is Blutoothed to the head unit in the same way as are Google maps turn-by-turn instructions and hands-free phone calls.

To be honest I've never looked back, as long as I have a good 3G connection I can now enjoy any station anywhere with perfect reception, the DAB has become redundant.

The internet and smart phones have killed DAB before it really got off the ground, with everything now coming from my phone my next head unit will be a single din flip touch screen with "Mirror Cast" so the phone can stay on charge but out of sight.

Something like this...