Considerations when installing PCM
Discussion
I have a 2008 Cayman S Sport which has the standard CD player and to be honest it is the one thing that I HATE about the car - the rest of the car is awesome but I can't even plug in an MP3 player or play a disc of MP3s, so I've resorted to a bluetooth FM transmitter which is bad but better than nothing.
I've been eyeing up installing a new stereo and can get a top of the range Kenwood DNN9230DAB (DNN990HD in the US I think) installed with a camera for around £1600 (including the bose optical conversion kit). I'd quite like to, however, keep the care 'pure' and only have Porsche components in the car, so was considering a PCM2.1. I've seen some on ebay for £500-1200 but as I've no experience with PCM units I need some help on what to be aware of when buying one. I've got some questions - was wondering if anyone can help?
- I've heard that some of the earlier 2.1 units don't support MP3. What should I be looking for to make sure the unit I get can play digital files?
- Are all 2.1 units equal? If I get one out of a Cayenne, will it fit & work in my Cayman?
- Will I have to get a Porsche garage to install if I want all the car integration?
- Does the CD changer come with the PCM unit, or is that an optional extra? (I've seen some ebay items which are just the head unit - should I steer clear of these?)
- Is there anywhere I can plug a stereo chord in to a PCM unit?
- Am I right in thinking that to hook up the bluetooth, I have to buy an extra kit?
- Is the phone kit worth getting? (I'm right in thinking there's a phone kit, right?)
- Is a PCM unit even worth it? Should I just get the Kenwood installed?
- What else should I know? Is there a online guide to all of this stuff anywhere?
Any help, advice or opinions would be massively appreciated as I don't really know anything atm.
Thank you!
I've been eyeing up installing a new stereo and can get a top of the range Kenwood DNN9230DAB (DNN990HD in the US I think) installed with a camera for around £1600 (including the bose optical conversion kit). I'd quite like to, however, keep the care 'pure' and only have Porsche components in the car, so was considering a PCM2.1. I've seen some on ebay for £500-1200 but as I've no experience with PCM units I need some help on what to be aware of when buying one. I've got some questions - was wondering if anyone can help?
- I've heard that some of the earlier 2.1 units don't support MP3. What should I be looking for to make sure the unit I get can play digital files?
- Are all 2.1 units equal? If I get one out of a Cayenne, will it fit & work in my Cayman?
- Will I have to get a Porsche garage to install if I want all the car integration?
- Does the CD changer come with the PCM unit, or is that an optional extra? (I've seen some ebay items which are just the head unit - should I steer clear of these?)
- Is there anywhere I can plug a stereo chord in to a PCM unit?
- Am I right in thinking that to hook up the bluetooth, I have to buy an extra kit?
- Is the phone kit worth getting? (I'm right in thinking there's a phone kit, right?)
- Is a PCM unit even worth it? Should I just get the Kenwood installed?
- What else should I know? Is there a online guide to all of this stuff anywhere?
Any help, advice or opinions would be massively appreciated as I don't really know anything atm.
Thank you!
I personally wouldn't bother with the PCM, The Kenwood you speak of runs rings round it!
The nav isn't great on the pcm, there is no aux jack, meaning you need an aftermarket unit to play iphone/android stored music. The Kenwood has better sound processors in it too.
They're not particulaly reliable either, I changed lots under new car warranty!
You can always put the CDR30 back in when you come to sell the car, that would be my choice
The nav isn't great on the pcm, there is no aux jack, meaning you need an aftermarket unit to play iphone/android stored music. The Kenwood has better sound processors in it too.
They're not particulaly reliable either, I changed lots under new car warranty!
You can always put the CDR30 back in when you come to sell the car, that would be my choice
I wouldn't even consider the PCM. It looks older than the way it performs and is a complete step backwards.
I installed a Kenwood DNX7230DAB in my 997 a couple of months ago (that also included the box of tricks to convert the digital signal) and have never regretted it. It was quite easy to do and sounds terrific. It replaced a PCM 2.1 by the way
If you go ahead, hold on to to the CDR because OPCs usually want to see the car returned to standard for sale.
Everything gtphile says is completely true.
I installed a Kenwood DNX7230DAB in my 997 a couple of months ago (that also included the box of tricks to convert the digital signal) and have never regretted it. It was quite easy to do and sounds terrific. It replaced a PCM 2.1 by the way
If you go ahead, hold on to to the CDR because OPCs usually want to see the car returned to standard for sale.
Everything gtphile says is completely true.
Personally, i'm not keen on the sound of Alpine when used with standard speakers, it almost sounds too precise??
Might be my taste because I still use a NAD series 20 stereo at home, and I'm a luddite at heart!
The Kenwood uses Tomtom navigation I think, so it will be more than adequate, and will be easily updateable.
No personal experience on the Alpine nav, so can't comment.
Might be my taste because I still use a NAD series 20 stereo at home, and I'm a luddite at heart!
The Kenwood uses Tomtom navigation I think, so it will be more than adequate, and will be easily updateable.
No personal experience on the Alpine nav, so can't comment.
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