Car stereo head unit that doesn’t look like crap?

[svandamme]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

Mine is 10 years old.

I was just pointing out that the new Blaupunkt radios are not like the old ones.
They are chinese now.

[Ayles]

Originally Posted by svandamme

I was just pointing out that the new Blaupunkt radios are not like the old ones.
They are chinese now.

Do they have multiple lines? Like a budget version for Walmart and then higher end for specialty shops?

[svandamme]

doubt it, I think the old company got bought up for the brand and is now selling cheap quality radios
and robot vacuums by the looks of it.

just read the amazon feedback on some of the new radios and you'll get the idea

cheap quality plastics
bad audio

[svandamme]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaupunkt

Blaupunkt GmbH (About this soundlisten (help·info)) was a German manufacturer of mostly car audio equipment. It was owned by Robert Bosch GmbH from 1933 until 1 March 2009, when it was sold to Aurelius AG of Germany. It filed for bankruptcy in late 2015[1] with liquidation proceedings completed in early 2016.[2][3] The brand is now managed by GIP Development SARL of Luxembourg and is used on various product groups worldwide.


After the 2011 take-over, Blaupunkt became a managed brand name with all production outsourced to China.

[blucille]

And now it seems, according to crutchfield and other sources, the beloved Bremen DAB unit has been discontinued.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I don't think it fits your criteria exactly, but I always look for old Eclipse head units. I tend toward 2001 or so model years with copper chassis and no internal amp but this last generation one might work for you.

Eclipse CD7200 mk II CD Player In Dash Receiver

[plain fan]

Guys, why are we discussing car audio???

Shouldn't we be enjoying the glorious sound coming from our engines and exhausts????



None of my Porsches have been quiet enough to really enjoy music. Even in my 996TT the road noise is loud enough that I have to really crank the after market Alpine head unit way up to hear anything. I've considered adding an additional amp to the system but I don't drive the Porsche enough or take long drives to really justify the effort of adding the amp.

[island911]

Originally Posted by jyl

Or, I guess, get a vintage Blaupunkt or Becker and add a Bluetooth adapter?

Winner.

Read: That's what I did. Becker CDR 220 AUX input.

[fanaudical]

This came up lately in the technical forum. A couple threads that might be useful:

Best looking 911 stereo?

New Blaupunkt Black Radio Avail 2018

Best Single Din Stereo

Can anyone recommend a new head unit that looks like it's from the 1980's?

Anybody have a Retrosound head unit in their 911?

Retrosound is one manufacturer that I haven't seen listed in this thread. I have one of their bottom-of-the-line units from several years ago. It looks old with enough faceplate mods. If I had to do it again, I would probably go after the Continental head unit (but wish they would hide the USB in back...).

[island911]

Ha! from the 80's link....

Originally Posted by wes_r

I have a Porsche CR-220 in my '87. Manufactured by Becker. Also have an iPod connector that runs through the AUX.

This photo is of a CDR-220 (w/CD player), but looks identical to CR-220.

I'm seeing that thinking, that looks just like .. hey, that is my photo.

Although, that was my first CDR-220. I had the knobs off in that photo as the SC/early Carrera would get in the way of the door. Also, the display on some CDR's (like that pictured above) have crappy viewing angle for the driver.

My latest has the LCD screen (good view angles) and updated to later (smaller) Carrera knobs. - not that I move CDs about much, but really hated when the door would drag across the knobs.

[Ayles]

This just came up for sale locally:

[McLovin]

Hmm, glad I read this thread.
I have a Nakamichi CD-400 in one of my 80s cars like in this pic (not my car in the pic) and was thinking about replacing it with one of the Blaupunkt Bremens.
But after reading about the China thing, I think I’ll keep the Nakamichi. It’s almost 20 years old so sort of vintage, it’s a quality piece from a different era (it sounds great too) and the Chinese Blaupunkt feels like an over priced step backwards.

[McLovin]

I have one of the Continentals in one of my other 80s cars, and I do like it. But that was only $130. Looks and sounds good, IMO.

[93097004xx]

For a late 70s to early 80s G body the blaupunkt 3001 H is a perfect period correct stereo and is essentially a newer version of the Porsche CR radio.

It superior in signal reception by a lot which was the Porsche CR stereo’s main fault.


The stereo will not work with modern Bluetooth adaptors to my knowledge as they are a preamp unit.








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[93097004xx]

Can also say that my Hirschmann power antenna is a hoot.

30 somethings and down are amazed that it raises and lowers…

When you stop and think about it not many cars today have operational power antennas lol

[McLovin]

The CR3001 is a sentimental favorite, as I had several of them in my ‘81 in the early 80s.
But the reason I had so many is they were very unreliable. Pixels out, other problems, led to frequent replacement.
I also recall it didn’t sound particularly great.
But I do love the look in an 80 or 81. It was one of “the” Euro radios in 80 to 82 or so.

[island911]

^ agree. Looks great. Love the C-boxes. The Nak. looks great too. All good choices.

But sound quality? ..in an 80's 911 cabin? c'mon...

[jyl]

I have a CDR210 with 3.5 mm plug wired to the AUX in my 911. My 1st gen iPod (still running) fits in the ashtray.

[radioguybill]

I have a Becker Europa TR that has internally been upgraded to 4 x45 watt stereo, AM FM Aux with hands free Bluetooth. Voice assist allows you t pair with your phone and synch with it. You can plug in a portable CD Cassette or even Sirius XM in the aux.

Have submitted a picture. New world Old style.

The only thing that's missing is the back plate behind the faceplate. Correct knobs to fit 71 to 81.

Contract me bill@billtheradioguy.com

Will do $600.00 + shipping. Guaranteed for a year.

Bill

[island911]

Originally Posted by jyl

I have a CDR210 with 3.5 mm plug wired to the AUX in my 911. My 1st gen iPod (still running) fits in the ashtray.

Stay with that.

Add something like this.

https://www.amazon.com/Upgraded-Bluetooth-Cancelling-Headphones-Hands-Free/dp/B08KY684PB