What do you run for stereo? OEM Plus/Retro Stereo

[UltraSheen]

Thank you for all the information. I ordered one from Germany on eBay a couple of days ago.

I'm excited.

[Karl Grau]

... and worse, when I go to Karl's original post, every single one of the pictures that Karl uploaded has been throttled by photobucket. Yes, I know the model numbers are listed, but it's annoying anyhow.

I think Photobucket may have caved. All those pics are now showing up.

http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=10 ... sc&start=0




[/quote]

[klavender1]

I have been contemplating this as well. So I'm resurrecting this old thread. Since stereos change so much, the older BMW radios are getting pricey and I want modern features. I think I found a stereo that may fit my needs of USB, Preamp output and BT. I do like having an actual volume knob but this JVC has a very clean look to it. The volume buttons can be color customized. The other display appears to stay white which would be acceptable in lieu of a proper orange. I like the Continental, I don't like the price. I don't have premium sound, just the stock 4x6"s up front and JBL 6"s in the rear. And I plan on running new wires and maybe a sub in the future and changing the front speakers.

Only $72 on Amazon

http://www.us.jvc.com/car/indashreceivers/kd_r890bt/

[ElGuappo]

Did we actually talk about vintage audio in SD last year? Travis? I don't remember man...

klavender1, thats not a bad unit, the black/white main display with a red button is fully decent...
2 sets of 2.5v preamp outputs with time alignment, FLAC support! and a phone remote/configuration app...pretty cool.

[jhh925]

On the Continental / VDO units, FWIW, here's the comparison spec sheet from Continental:



In particular, note that the TRD7412UB-OR model is the only one with a dimmable display (that was a complaint noted on some other forum). I think these units have also been criticized for not having line-outs for a separate amp, only speaker outputs.

[e28Sean]

The nice UPS man dropped this off earlier today.

[Das_Prachtstrasse]

I just put one in my DD E34 last month and love it so much I’m going to replace the CD43 in the e28 with one, too.



My only major gripe is the backlight colouring being too yellow. For the e28 I’ll probably change the backlight LED’s and paint the chrome ring on the volume dial black before install.

[Shawn D.]

My only major gripe is the backlight colouring being too yellow. For the e28 I’ll probably change the backlight LED’s and paint the chrome ring on the volume dial black before install.

They're likely to be SMD LEDs, which would be a bugger to replace unless you're also an electronics hobbyist.

[e28Sean]

I just put one in my DD E34 last month and love it so much I’m going to replace the CD43 in the e28 with one, too.

That looks fantastic! I wanted something that had bluetooth and a front panel AUX, and didn't look out of place, and I think this will fit in well in the e28. At the very least, It will be an improvement over the Pioneer CD unit I removed, with it's worn out buttons, no-longer-functional anti-skip, and bling-tactic blue and green LED lighting.

[Das_Prachtstrasse]

My only major gripe is the backlight colouring being too yellow. For the e28 I’ll probably change the backlight LED’s and paint the chrome ring on the volume dial black before install.

They're likely to be SMD LEDs, which would be a bugger to replace unless you're also an electronics hobbyist.

Fortunately this type of thing is within the realms of my repertoire. The challenge will be finding the correct colour LED’s I suspect.

[e28Sean]

To say I am pleased with the results would be an understatement. I need to figure out what sort of adapter I need for the antenna, though. Thoughts?
AM/FM reception is something of a low priority, since radio here sort of sucks, but... It's there, I want it to work.

[SlickDizzy]

Clarion has a few nice "Retro" units these days.

[e28Sean]

The Continental head unit energizes the antenna wire whenever the head unit is on, even if it's set to AUX or Bluetooth. So, I did something I'v been meaning to do for a while; I interrupted the antenna up signal wire with an old US-style fog lamp switch I had lying around, and installed the switch where the factory head unit's fader knob used to live.

Switch off: Antenna stays down.
Switch on: Antenna goes up & down with head unit on/off.



This pleases me.

[Mike W.]

The Continental head unit energizes the antenna wire whenever the head unit is on, even if it's set to AUX or Bluetooth. So, I did something I'v been meaning to do for a while; I interrupted the antenna up signal wire with an old US-style fog lamp switch I had lying around, and installed the switch where the factory head unit's fader knob used to live.

Switch off: Antenna stays down.
Switch on: Antenna goes up & down with head unit on/off.

This pleases me.

I like it. I don't know how many times I've shaken my head with the antenna going up and down without ever using radio.

I fear I'd be tempted to create some sort of antenna graphic and f the whole thing up.

[BRRV]

I looked at these, am still looking (the Contis..) I'd be interested in anyones take on the actual functionality of CD-RW discs and Bluetooth with an iPhone... I don't like the fact that it doesn't have a rear USB connection, which just makes things cleaner. I use a new Pioneer, and it does have the orange/red variocolor. It's not perfect, but it has good sound and one round dial (brushed silver) Controls are a little small. I don't like the fact that it auto-connects and plays my iPhone music.. I'd prefer to make that decision, thank you. But I can't seem to get it to stop. Other than that, it doesn't look THAT bad, and at night it's okay. Doesn't look too much out of place, and no blue-white or garish colors. Decent specs; the HD Radio is virtually worthless in the states, I think I found all of two stations in that format on my 6000 mile To Hell And Back Tour...

I really like the look of the Conti's. Oh well.




Oh, and I looked for months for anything made by Clarion. No Joy. It's like they gave up.

[Mdreamer]

My car still has the factory head unit in it, but it hasn't worked in years. I'd like to keep the unit in it's current space, but have another means of listening to music from my phone. Is anyone else using such a set-up?

[klavender1]

I have been contemplating this as well. So I'm resurrecting this old thread. Since stereos change so much, the older BMW radios are getting pricey and I want modern features. I think I found a stereo that may fit my needs of USB, Preamp output and BT. I do like having an actual volume knob but this JVC has a very clean look to it. The volume buttons can be color customized. The other display appears to stay white which would be acceptable in lieu of a proper orange. I like the Continental, I don't like the price. I don't have premium sound, just the stock 4x6"s up front and JBL 6"s in the rear. And I plan on running new wires and maybe a sub in the future and changing the front speakers.

Only $72 on Amazon

http://www.us.jvc.com/car/indashreceivers/kd_r890bt/

Just a follow up to this HU after living with it a little while. Overall it has some amazing features for the money and it sounds great. Even the BT phone portion. Doesn't look too bad either. Not period correct like the Continental but I wanted more features. It can also be precisely tuned depending on speakers used and speaker locations. HOWEVER, I still prefer a volume knob over the volume buttons. It's being nitpicky I know but I'm going to live with it because feature wise it's a great HU.

[HayekFan]

Getting ready to install this vintage Nakamichi:

[amagansa]

My car still has the factory head unit in it, but it hasn't worked in years. I'd like to keep the unit in it's current space, but have another means of listening to music from my phone. Is anyone else using such a set-up?

Same situation. I use an Anker portable bluetooth speaker and put it on the dash. Plays loud enough for me, and I just lock it in the glovebox when i'm done.

[HayekFan]

Got the Nakamichi TD-500 installed today.



Replaced the fader with a foglight switch to enable/disable the auto antenna.

I've done 8 or 10 stereo installs in various cars and I think this was the most difficult due to the cramped space in the dash. Pretty happy with the result though!

[Solarphil]

I seem to recall seeing a page at the Porsche website where they were offering a number of headunits specifically designed to give an OEM look with modern technology for use in older cars. My recollection is that they were showing a number of single-DIN-opening units that had an OEM look and red or amber displays. All of them had a sort of 90s vibe.

However, when I search for that page, all I find is this unit. It includes nav, but they don't list the price (or at least I'm not finding it).

That page has links to the manual, where I found the radio’s part number 91164529100, which can thus be googled. But hang on to your hat, it’s 911 pricing - over a grand. Looks nice and I’m sure nav may be handy, but my budget’s at the other end of the scale.

[stuartinmn]

I seem to recall seeing a page at the Porsche website where they were offering a number of headunits specifically designed to give an OEM look with modern technology for use in older cars. My recollection is that they were showing a number of single-DIN-opening units that had an OEM look and red or amber displays. All of them had a sort of 90s vibe.

However, when I search for that page, all I find is this unit. It includes nav, but they don't list the price (or at least I'm not finding it).

That page has links to the manual, where I found the radio’s part number 91164529100, which can thus be googled. But hang on to your hat, it’s 911 pricing - over a grand. Looks nice and I’m sure nav may be handy, but my budget’s at the other end of the scale.

In the range of $1100 to $1300 or so, depending on where you buy it.



Board member Prizefighter put a Mcintosh head unit in the euro M5 he used to own (the old Johnny Miller car); it looked good and sounded great but was similar in price if I recall correctly (and that particular head unit is out of production anyway.)

[e28Sean]

In the range of $1100 to $1300 or so, depending on where you buy it.

That would look awesome in an e28! I see it has navi... Can you get current maps for it?

[UltraSheen]

Ooooh this one looks promising:
https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos ... -blaupunkt

[stuartinmn]

Ooooh this one looks promising:
https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos ... -blaupunkt

http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=152048

[UltraSheen]

Oops, sorry!

[jhh925]

My only major gripe is the backlight colouring being too yellow. For the e28 I’ll probably change the backlight LED’s and paint the chrome ring on the volume dial black before install.

Did you ever change the backlight color? I'd be really interested in seeing how that turned out. And if you did do it, did you start with the Continental model that has a dimmable backlight? Would the dimmability make the color swap any more complicated?