Sound system upgrade

[beancounter]

I’ve owned my TVR since new in 1999 and still have the same CDs in the boot stacker; who needs a sound system with a 5 litre V8? We’ll, I think I would now like to be able to play some music and listen to DAB radio and /or play podcasts from my phone.

What do you recommend as a replacement unit that will match the look of the original Blaupunkt as I want to keep the car looking as original as possible?

[SwanJack]

I just bought one of these, I have the original Pioneer unit

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PIONEER-AUX-IN-INPUT-TO...

Lots of Blaupunkt compatible ones on eBay

Edited by SwanJack on Tuesday 22 February 23:21

[beancounter]

Thanks 🙏. Unfortunately I need to replace the unit as the radio no longer works. I had an aberration when I said it’s Blaupunkt - it is of course Pioneer!!!

[Belle427]

Any Bluetooth head unit will be fine, I find pioneer to be the best of the bunch and the classiest looking in the sensibly priced ones.
Very little point in buying something expensive as it's a complete waste in these cars.

[Dave85chim]

Im currently sorting out the stereo and speakers in mine.

I opted for the Pioneer SPH-10BT - looks to be in keeping with my black/chrome interior, a nice unit and functionally holds the iphone well.

https://www.halfords.com/technology/car-audio/car-...

[FunkyGibbon]

Dave85chim said:

Im currently sorting out the stereo and speakers in mine.

I opted for the Pioneer SPH-10BT - looks to be in keeping with my black/chrome interior, a nice unit and functionally holds the iphone well.

https://www.halfords.com/technology/car-audio/car-...

I like the look of that. I wonder if it would work with the existing Pioneer power amp in my 23year old chim?

[NicBowman]

Maybe look at the next model up. Benefit is it has a radio, so if you don’t connect your phone it still works. I just fitted one, DAB works well, just stuck the aerial under the dash.

[ChrisW500]

I am also thinking of an upgrade from my original Pioneer head unit to something more modern with Bluetooth functionality and DAB etc. so my question is is there anything out there that would offer these and still keep my Pioneer CD stacker in the boot working?

[colin mee]

I have the pioneer in my wedge great unit just wish I could turn the altitude meter off the home screen

[Loubaruch]

Why would you want to keep a CD stacker when most modern car radios would include provision for an SD card or similar that can hold hundreds of tracks that you can easily record from cds?

[SwanJack]

Loubaruch said:

Why would you want to keep a CD stacker when most modern car radios would include provision for an SD card or similar that can hold hundreds of tracks that you can easily record from cds?

For me, ripping one CD to an SD card is a PITA, as for a whole collection, no thanks.

[glow worm]

Some years ago I had 4 cars with different head units (I think that's what you call a car stereo these days), two had boot CD players and they were a pain. Setup was different on everyone. So I put the same DAB/USB Pioneer Unit in ALL my cars... perfect...CD changers were skipped...Largest USB sticks with 500 Albums on each... USB ports put in ALL the cars so I could charge my phone/ Golf Skycaddie , TomTom etc. never looked back... Now with SMARTPHONE with ALEXA Bluetoothed to ALL I can play SPOTIFY and operate SAMSUNG SMARTTHINGS (for garage doors,gates and lights by voice).The right tech used properly is very useful as for FACEBOOK/META ...then stick it

[beancounter]

NicBowman said:

Maybe look at the next model up. Benefit is it has a radio, so if you don’t connect your phone it still works. I just fitted one, DAB works well, just stuck the aerial under the dash.

Can you confirm there is room for Chimaera gear lever to be in 1st, 3rd and 5th with the phone attached to the head unit please?

[bad company]

Apparently my Chim has a radio. I turned it on once while Mrs BC was in a shop, it still works.

[andrewbr]

beancounter said:

Can you confirm there is room for Chimaera gear lever to be in 1st, 3rd and 5th with the phone attached to the head unit please?

There is, I have the same one.

[beancounter]

andrewbr said:

There is, I have the same one.

Many thanks

[Harry Flatters]

I have the Pioneer SBP-10BT (not the non-available, DAB version SPH-20DAB) and can confirm that phone fits just fine, landscape or portrait.

£99 from Halfrauds.

Edited by Harry Flatters on Thursday 14th April 16:01

[beancounter]

Thanks everyone- your help is appreciated. I’m going ahead with the Pioneer from Halfords.