DAB stereo in your classic?
Discussion
i've tried the search on this & there doesn't seem to be much out there?
basically i want to upgrade the stereo in my 911SC & i'd really like something with ipod control & DAB reception, but, & here's the killer-in a package that looks suitably retro to fit in with the 911 dash.
nowt out there at all!
has anyone tried to install anything similar? am i chasing the impossible dream? i know i should just be lisltening to the flat 6 rather than some radio waffle but try telling the girlfriend that.
http://www.classiccarstereo.co.uk/
these guys have some good stuff but i don't kow what the quality is like & as said above, they don't have DAB reception. i kno i can add the likes of a pure highway stand alone DAB reciever but i really wanted everything in one box, & one box that doesn't look like it's been liberated from a vauxhall corsa & should have sub woofers attatched!
porsche's classic system does look great as well but it's a heck of a lot of money for something with no DAB reception that may be out of date & useless in a couple of years. i've also read on another forum that the auto electrician that fitted one for someone didn't think the quality was up to much.
if anyone has any pics of their own set up that looks good then please, any advice would be welcome!
basically i want to upgrade the stereo in my 911SC & i'd really like something with ipod control & DAB reception, but, & here's the killer-in a package that looks suitably retro to fit in with the 911 dash.
nowt out there at all!
has anyone tried to install anything similar? am i chasing the impossible dream? i know i should just be lisltening to the flat 6 rather than some radio waffle but try telling the girlfriend that.
http://www.classiccarstereo.co.uk/
these guys have some good stuff but i don't kow what the quality is like & as said above, they don't have DAB reception. i kno i can add the likes of a pure highway stand alone DAB reciever but i really wanted everything in one box, & one box that doesn't look like it's been liberated from a vauxhall corsa & should have sub woofers attatched!
porsche's classic system does look great as well but it's a heck of a lot of money for something with no DAB reception that may be out of date & useless in a couple of years. i've also read on another forum that the auto electrician that fitted one for someone didn't think the quality was up to much.
if anyone has any pics of their own set up that looks good then please, any advice would be welcome!
I'm glad somebody else has a similar problem to me!
For your Porsche have you looked on Ebay for a good used Becker Mexico head unit? Due to some legal wrangling Becker have had to stop making their in car audio equipment and it was absolutely second to non. The Mexico was a 'retro' looking headunit with built in Sat-Nav, ipod connection etc. It was designed specifically for older and classic cars. There should be a few available still boxed and unused as they only went out of production a year or so ago.
I've not seen the company you've linked before but I definitely plan to give them a go, I need to fit a more modern stereo to my old truck and as it is a 'built in' system want to do it in a way that keeps the original system for looks but utilises a hidden stereo. It looks like they have just the job.
For your Porsche have you looked on Ebay for a good used Becker Mexico head unit? Due to some legal wrangling Becker have had to stop making their in car audio equipment and it was absolutely second to non. The Mexico was a 'retro' looking headunit with built in Sat-Nav, ipod connection etc. It was designed specifically for older and classic cars. There should be a few available still boxed and unused as they only went out of production a year or so ago.
I've not seen the company you've linked before but I definitely plan to give them a go, I need to fit a more modern stereo to my old truck and as it is a 'built in' system want to do it in a way that keeps the original system for looks but utilises a hidden stereo. It looks like they have just the job.
The thing with mexico's is they don't have DAB, & when they're as expensive as they are I see it as a bit of a waste of money.
Blaupunkt do one called a montreal I think but it's just a little too "modern" looking
Eta it's called the Woodstock
Blaupunkt do one called a montreal I think but it's just a little too "modern" looking
Eta it's called the Woodstock
Edited by cragswinter on Saturday 19th November 13:34
I just looked at the 'Woodstock', I see what you mean about it being a bit too modern looking. I'm not a fan of these 'lairy' looking stereos with the fancy graphics and silver and black colour schemes.
It looks like the sort of thing you are after is a bit thin on the ground. It's pretty much the same problem I have so I think I'm going to go for something like this:
http://www.classiccarstereo.co.uk/classic-car-audi...
With the Stereo either behind the dash or under the seat and the controller and ipod connectors in the glove box. I plan to replace the old speakers with updated versions of the old ones so it will all look totally standard.
It just seems that DAB still hasn't made it into this 'niche' market yet - unless somebody else has any other suggestions?
It looks like the sort of thing you are after is a bit thin on the ground. It's pretty much the same problem I have so I think I'm going to go for something like this:
http://www.classiccarstereo.co.uk/classic-car-audi...
With the Stereo either behind the dash or under the seat and the controller and ipod connectors in the glove box. I plan to replace the old speakers with updated versions of the old ones so it will all look totally standard.
It just seems that DAB still hasn't made it into this 'niche' market yet - unless somebody else has any other suggestions?
Don't know what year your 911 is, but the OEM stereo's usually have a twin phono on the back, you could just plug a lead into that?
With my Stag and XJ6 all I have done was hide a power amplifier behind the dash and wire it in. This presents with a 3.5mm headphone socket you can plug anything into. I usually have a small sansa clip MP3 player but you could use it with a portable in car DAB stereo or iPod or whatever...You have to use the device for control but the advantage is that both cars still have their original, still functioning, OEM head units so look absolutely 100% original.
I couldn't find another way of doing it, if I really wanted radio I'd wire in a hidden modern head unit instead of an amplifier and use remote control for it.
With my Stag and XJ6 all I have done was hide a power amplifier behind the dash and wire it in. This presents with a 3.5mm headphone socket you can plug anything into. I usually have a small sansa clip MP3 player but you could use it with a portable in car DAB stereo or iPod or whatever...You have to use the device for control but the advantage is that both cars still have their original, still functioning, OEM head units so look absolutely 100% original.
I couldn't find another way of doing it, if I really wanted radio I'd wire in a hidden modern head unit instead of an amplifier and use remote control for it.
How about these guys and seeing what they can do for you?: www.tadpoleradios.co.uk/Default.aspx
They don't advertise DAB but it may be something they can do, can't hurt to ask.
They don't advertise DAB but it may be something they can do, can't hurt to ask.
There is the OEM Porsche DAB system. Not cheap - £650 ish maybe but might cover your needs
http://www.porsche.com/uk/accessoriesandservice/cl...
http://www.porsche.com/uk/accessoriesandservice/cl...
4rephill said:
How about these guys and seeing what they can do for you?: www.tadpoleradios.co.uk/Default.aspx
They don't advertise DAB but it may be something they can do, can't hurt to ask.
Well they certainly seem to have good service, emailed an enquiry on Saturday afternoon & they got back within half an hour-which is pretty good in my book They don't advertise DAB but it may be something they can do, can't hurt to ask.
I need to give them a call to clarify but it does seem they can sort this out-using a Sony DAB stereo but with an old blaupunkt fascia (which they source as & when needed) to control the modern internals. Not cheap but if it all works it could be a fantastic option. If I get time tomorrow to phone them I'll post up the details.
cragswinter said:
Well they certainly seem to have good service, emailed an enquiry on Saturday afternoon & they got back within half an hour-which is pretty good in my book
I need to give them a call to clarify but it does seem they can sort this out-using a Sony DAB stereo but with an old blaupunkt fascia (which they source as & when needed) to control the modern internals. Not cheap but if it all works it could be a fantastic option. If I get time tomorrow to phone them I'll post up the details.
Sounds good so far! (I did note that they were a bit pricey but if they can get you exactly what you need then it should be worth it I need to give them a call to clarify but it does seem they can sort this out-using a Sony DAB stereo but with an old blaupunkt fascia (which they source as & when needed) to control the modern internals. Not cheap but if it all works it could be a fantastic option. If I get time tomorrow to phone them I'll post up the details.
).Hope they can sort it for you, best of luck with it!
williamp said:
keep the original, period one in place and install a new unit in the glovebox. The reach isnt too far, and you can get a remote control if you struggle
I did this in my Morris Minor to keep it looking period. I now have a Sony Xplod DAB system in my camper, this came with a wireless remote control.
joesnow said:
Tadploes do a DAB I think version. Go to their for sale items, and click the drop down.
I'll be having one for my Alfa GT in due course.
yep, spoke to them this week, not cheap at £475 (fitting NOT included) but it does do the job, & more to the point it seems to be the only solution out there.I'll be having one for my Alfa GT in due course.
i'd still prefer a one box retro looking head unit though, the tadpole stereo unfortunatly doesn't let you see anything on the head unit (obviously) so if you're scanning through stations or ipod tracks or albums its really just a pot luck sort of thing. it's a great idea but i think in reality i might get a little fed up with it.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
with these the main unit is hidden behind the dash, and the headunit is a nice size. halfords will also fit it free according to this weeks autoexpress...........
with these the main unit is hidden behind the dash, and the headunit is a nice size. halfords will also fit it free according to this weeks autoexpress...........
hmmm i think DAB coveredge varies throughout the country, but we drove from carlisle to oulton park (cheshire) earlier in the year & didn't lose reception once. that's a pretty long journey & over some pretty bleak terrain that fm just cannot cope with (over shap for example).
as for the pure highway, i think i'll have to go to halfords for a demo, but i really just want a one box solution.
i think unfortunatly i'll probably have to get a more modern looking system than i wanted. it won't be the end of the world but i'm astounded there isn't a system out there that doesn't do this, DAB, iPod connectivity & a slightly retro look.
we must be in the minority!
i'd go for something that looked like this:
but it doesn't have the DAB facility. at least it wouldn't look too "corsa". pioneer also do a few head units that do without cd players as well, you can keep your iPod hidden away in them like the parrot system but again, no DAB.
as for the pure highway, i think i'll have to go to halfords for a demo, but i really just want a one box solution.
i think unfortunatly i'll probably have to get a more modern looking system than i wanted. it won't be the end of the world but i'm astounded there isn't a system out there that doesn't do this, DAB, iPod connectivity & a slightly retro look.
we must be in the minority!
i'd go for something that looked like this:
but it doesn't have the DAB facility. at least it wouldn't look too "corsa". pioneer also do a few head units that do without cd players as well, you can keep your iPod hidden away in them like the parrot system but again, no DAB.
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