Car Audio Replacement Recommendations

[David Ramsbotham]

I have just discovered that the original Sony unit in my 1994 DB7 has given up the ghost although admittedly I probably haven’t turned it on for 20 years or so!

So I am looking for recommendations for a replacement and if possible advice where to get it fitted ( I live in Somerset ).

I only have space for a single din unit and I would like it to operate the Sony CD changer ( in the boot ) from it. I would like to have Bluetooth functionality so I can pair to my iPhone and some form of Sat Nav would be a real bonus. I’m not a music buff and don’t really listen to the radio ( except traffic reports ) so these are not my priority.

Since car audio is like a black art to me, although I do realise they don’t have valves/diodes in them these days, really looking for simple to follow advice.

Many thanks in advance.

[Riddochg]

Best bet is call James at Aston Installations. They are in Tewkesbury, so not that handy for you but they are the experts in this area.
They can do pretty much anything.

I recently had Apple Car play fitted which is probably more than you need, but their workshop is a treasure trove of all things Aston audio related. Good luck.

[David Ramsbotham]

Thanks for that Riddochg, I know James, he did the Bluetooth in my V8V but I was hoping for something a bit more plug in and play so to speak. The DB7 is from a different era and space is a premium.

[Squaremeal]

Don't even think!

Just contact Mr Hawkes-Reed at Aston-installations.

He has forgotten more than most Aston dealers even know about VH Aston ICE! 😂

[David Ramsbotham]

Yes, I know, I agree but a DB7 is pre VH platform!

[agaton12]

Why not buy a unit with bluetooth and a SDcard slot, copy all the music you enjoy to a SDcard and forget about the cd-changer?

[Aston Installations]

David Ramsbotham said:

I have just discovered that the original Sony unit in my 1994 DB7 has given up the ghost although admittedly I probably haven’t turned it on for 20 years or so!

So I am looking for recommendations for a replacement and if possible advice where to get it fitted ( I live in Somerset ).

I only have space for a single din unit and I would like it to operate the Sony CD changer ( in the boot ) from it. I would like to have Bluetooth functionality so I can pair to my iPhone and some form of Sat Nav would be a real bonus. I’m not a music buff and don’t really listen to the radio ( except traffic reports ) so these are not my priority.

Since car audio is like a black art to me, although I do realise they don’t have valves/diodes in them these days, really looking for simple to follow advice.

Many thanks in advance.

Hello David,

I think you will struggle to find anything to drive the older changer you have in the boot, the protocols and cables have changed dramatically over the years, so the current models of head units won't talk to the changer. The current vogue from manufacturers is to go mechless, that means no mechanism, so no cd player in the unit. Nowadays the units of today either derive media from a memory stick or from the users phone through Bluetooth streaming. Users demand lots of music at their fingertips so a CD with 12 tracks is way too limited, they want Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Amazon music with Playlists they can compose themselves or the entire back catalogue of the Osmonds on repeat.....

Navigation is limited from a single DIN radio as the display is not big enough, some manufacturers did experiment with icon pointers (Like early Jaguar based radio in the Vanquish), but these have disappeared.

My thoughts would be an Alpine DAB music streaming headunit with a separate, discreet, antenna on the front screen for the DAB with a separate holder for your phone to provide mapping through Waze or google maps. I'm sure there are many occasions of driving when you wouldn't need the navigation, so the phone wouldn't be on show all the time. For the times when it is, a power cable could be plugged into the base of the phone and into the front of the radio to provide charge when required. Costs would be sub £200. One thing to note though is if the car has the optional additional amplifier in the boot, that can add a different spin on things, but not insurmountable.

Hope that helps.

James

[David Ramsbotham]

Thanks for your response James, it has really helped me focus on what I really need. That is to say, I’m not bothered about CD changer or music from the radio or any other means for that matter, what I need is Bluetooth ( ie phone ) and Sat Nav capability.
I’m working on a place to hold phone involving a self made bracket into the ashtray (something else that I don’t use ) and I think the google maps Sat Nav capability is good if that is my only option.
One question though, With a modern head unit, can I still use the existing, original, electric retractable aerial in the rear wing?
Thanks again.

[Aston Installations]

Yes, you can still use the antenna on the rear wing, it'll still be powered from the headunit. You will also need to have an active DAB/FM splitter to feed the DAB signal in, either that or have a separate stick on antenna on the front screen.

[David Ramsbotham]

Hi James, just sent you a pm.