Simple Porsche In-Car Audio Query

[spenny_b]

Hi Guys,

Quick one for someone that knows...tried searching, but not quite coming up with want I need to know...

I currently have a Radio/Cassette head unit, model CR-21 (it's in a '98 C2) linked to a CDC-3 6 CD changer.

Looking to upgrade to a CD/Radio and have seen a CDR-23 advertised. (want to keep it OE looking)

Can the CDR-23 be hooked up to the CDC-3 or does the CDR-23 have to be connected to a fibre-optic CD changer? (using the MOST connection?)

If so, presumably the CDC-4 is the mandatory changer?

Thanks in advance

Spencer.

>> Edited by spenny_b on Friday 27th May 11:43

[dazren]

I haven't got a clue, but I do know that the MOST system wasn't fitted until 2003 M/Y cars onwards.

DAZ

[DaGinge]

You got it in one, CDR23 is MOST fibre optic and needs a CDC-4 and possibly other MOST gubbins to make it work. Generaly opinion seems to be that you're better off without MOST - why not buy an iPOD and ICE Link instead.

[Paulburrell]

Spencer

Everything Greigs says about the CDR23 is spot on the mark. Ask me how I know?

Well I bought such a unit on ebay from the US, came out of a Mk2 GT3. Apart from the fact that my car a MK1 GT3 is not MOST equipped you also need to be careful that the head unit either has or does not have an internal amp(yes apparently there are 2 types). If it doesn't then you need to hook it up to Porsches own power amp which came only with their premium audio package or the Bose equipped system. You've guessed it, the power amp only connects via the most optical connections as does the CD changer.

I am therefore stuck with what looks like a very nice CDR23 unit that will not work in may car. Anyone out there want a bargain and need a replacement head unit please feel free to email me.

Steve

[dazren]

Steve.

Stick an Advert here:

www.pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?p=1&s=137

Should reach a wider audience. Oh, can you explain in the advert which cars it will work in as you've just done on this thread.

cheers

DAZ

[spenny_b]

Thanks chaps...Paul, you've just saved me from potentially ending up with another redundant eBay purchase!..Thanks for the heads-up.

Prob won't go down the iPod route either, as I've just got an Archos which does my music/video streaming, plus have an iPaq for sat nat/mp3 (starting to look like Starship Enterprise with Origin b2 and handsfree phone kit as well!)...may look at an aftermarket HDD based (if anyone does them?) media jukebox system...or perhaps one that plays MP3 from DVD format, ie...1000's of tracks on one disk....hmmmm options!

Cheers again, Spen

[SURJ_993C2S]

If you get a hold of a CR-22/220 or CDR-22/220 then you can hook it up directly to a phatbox which works via the cd changer cable giving access to upto 60GB of music on a HDD (ask me how I know ;-) )

Surj

btw: www.phatnoise.com - no affiliation, just a customer.

[spenny_b]

Thanks Surj....exactly what (I think) I'm looking for!! (especially with the song/album navigation from the head unit)

Now in the process of digging around for more info, pity there isn't a version of the PB that's compatible with the CR-21 though...

Also looking to see how the PB compares with the Kenwood Keg. I may well get back to you for more info or recommended dealers in the UK (don't really fancy buying it from the US in case of any warranty issues)

On a slightly different theme, do the US use the same FM frequency range as the UK (I know Japan use different range)...ie will a CDR unit bought in the US tune into UK stations?

Cheers!

Spen.

[phelix]

spenny_b said:

On a slightly different theme, do the US use the same FM frequency range as the UK (I know Japan use different range)...ie will a CDR unit bought in the US tune into UK stations?

The frequency range is the same but US stations are on odd-tenths (i.e. 99.1, 99.3, etc) and UK stations are on even tenths(i.e. 99.0, 99.2, etc). So if the radio tunes in 0.1 MHz increments you'll be fine.

[lemon yella rs]

I have replied to your other thread and now just read this one. I have a CDR 22 in my Boxster and I'm considering upgrading to a traffic pro, so my CDR 22 may be for sale, don't know if that's what your looking for!

[spenny_b]

Hi Laurence,

Have sent you an email...deffo interested, and you're in Kent too!

Cheers
S

[P.F.WALTERS]

Paulburrell said:

Spencer Everything Greigs says about the CDR23 is spot on the mark. Ask me how I know? Well I bought such a unit on ebay from the US, came out of a Mk2 GT3. Apart from the fact that my car a MK1 GT3 is not MOST equipped you also need to be careful that the head unit either has or does not have an internal amp(yes apparently there are 2 types). If it doesn't then you need to hook it up to Porsches own power amp which came only with their premium audio package or the Bose equipped system. You've guessed it, the power amp only connects via the most optical connections as does the CD changer. I am therefore stuck with what looks like a very nice CDR23 unit that will not work in may car. Anyone out there want a bargain and need a replacement head unit please feel free to email me. Steve

[boxer1]

Hi,

Please can you tell me how it's possible to connect iPod Nano to CDR22??
Many thanks!

Carlo

SURJ_993C2S said:

If you get a hold of a CR-22/220 or CDR-22/220 then you can hook it up directly to a phatbox which works via the cd changer cable giving access to upto 60GB of music on a HDD (ask me how I know ;-) )

Surj

btw: www.phatnoise.com - no affiliation, just a customer.

[ballast]

If you've got a CDR-23, they are still worth a bit. If you've got MOST (52 on) and Bose, the CDR23, Bose amp and CDC 4 are all fibre linked. Some people remove the MOST CDR23 and then run copper through the bulkhead to the speaker connections on the amp. This had been done in my car and as (IMO) the head unit was bloody crap, I wanted to go back to original - got a head unit and amp from the US for circa £150 (about £1400 from Porsche!); popped it all back in and Porsche put the code back FOC; it sounds so much better than the aftermarket stuff. Limitation is lack of IPOD connectivity, although there is now a US company doing a MOST piece of kit for this now. I'v enow got a spare CDR23 as well thoug now as I've just upgraded to MOST PCM2. If anyone needs colour codes for the amp etc or any other wiring info, let me know.

If you've got a 'copper' pre-MOST car, stay copper!

[freemax]

As we're at it - is there some practical way to link a contemporary source to stone age equipment? specifically i am thinking about an iPod feeding into a Blaupunkt Toronto 1988 radio cassette player (Standard in Carreras of that year)...

The reason I have some hope that this is not completely silly is that in the early-1990's when portable CD players came up there was a link into car audio systems via a cable and a cassette-shape widget that went into the cassette slot. Maybe there is something similar...?

[CraigBruce]

Just caught this thread and like the idea of the Phatbox mentioned above.... can anyone advise on the current options available to add something like the Phatbox to my current setup. I have an MDR-32 (MiniDisc headunit non-MOST) with BOSE in a 2001 996 C4 Cab, any additional inputs it has are (I believe) used by my Nokia carkit which is fully wired in rather than using its own speaker.

Given the pathetic performance of Ipod FM transmitters, and the absence of anywhere to plug-in a wired Ipod connection, I'm keen to explore alternatives:

- Can the MDR-32 (or the CR-22 which I have in the garage) support multiple changers i.e. my current changer plus a Phatbox ?
- I assume there are other alternatives to the Phatbox. Any recommendations from those available in the UK ?

[woodywoo]

Hi

I sadly aquaplaned in my 2004 boxster and met with a centre reservation - and it's a write off. Fortunately I'm o.k, altho' strangely no airbags went off!

However, the breakers of the car agreed to take the stereo cdr23 and bose door speakers out, and send them to me. The car had a bose sound system.

So I've received the CDR 23 unit, but the speakers are just two massive speaker box units with Nokia written on them (part no. 996.645.012.01). Are these the bose speakers factory fitted to my car door, or is the breaker taking me for a ride?? Can you help this rather confused damsel in distress!!!!???