Radio Option, non rice

[schulr]

In the market for a new head unit as the Kenwood has died. The problem is that most if not all are all jazzed up with flashing lights and loud colors. I am however favoring the Blau Heidelberg CD 51 as they are at least German and I also like the Becker Monza except for the price. The goal here is just for listening not to produce a ricer.

I have searched the archives and most feel the same as I do but if anyone has any recent experience, would appreciate your feedback.

[kstylianos]

I bought a Pioneer unit a year and a half ago as it was one of the very few that could play MP3's. It also has a decent range of audio tunability. The button colors illuminate in green and orange which match the defogger and fog light switches above. You can manually turn off the 'rice' flash, bling, pow antics and the unit will default to a generic display. I like it.....

[efhughes3]

I put an Alpine in that doesn't look too flashy. Digital, but no neon.

[jyl]

How about the factory Beckers that were used in recent (Boxster / 996) Porsches. Very plain and no-nonsense looking. With luck you'll find one that says "Porsche". Maybe not the best sound, but I wonder how much we can really hear in our loud 911s anyway.

CDR210 (buttons) and CDR220 (knobs, line-in) are the CD-equipped units. Both can connect to Becker CD changers if you want that. Search eBay (make sure you get the security code too) or buy new / used units and wiring adapters from http://www.swstereo.com or http://www.beckerautosound.com/ or Midwest Electronics (don't have the URL).

If you search my prior posts, e.g. the one on iPods, you'll find a pic.

For older Blaupunkts, I think the (now-discontinued) Toronto looks wonderful. Unfortunately very hard to find used - I tried.

Some like Nakamichis for a non-rice look too.

[GrindingGears]

ditto on the toronto...

[schulr]

John, agree on the Beckers, very expensive at 400 to 500. The Blau Heilderberg is priced good as well as the Orlando and you can turn off the bling. I have looked on e bay and not much there except for a
CDR 220 that is in unknown condition, sold for 224, great price if it works.

Charlie, what model Pioneer did you get?

Bob

[N11Porsche]

I had a Blaupunkt in my 911, including speakers and was very pleased with the quality. But I am not an audiophile so my standards might not be the same as yours. When it came time to put a new unit in - I just couldn't bring myself to put a Japanese radio in the German P-Car. I have plenty of Japanese electronics in my home so don't flame me on this. I just wanted to put a German unit in. Hey, I know it was probably made in Malasia but the nameplate says Blaupunkt Anyway the speakers and cd player/stereo radio sounded great!

[GrindingGears]

bill, which Blaupunkt unit did you get?

[scottb]

I went thru the same thought process when I replaced my radio about a year ago, and ended up buying the Heidelberg CD 51. Here's a link to my thread on the subject: New Stereo

I ended up buying the Heidelberg CD 51, and have been very happy with it. If you can still find one, grab it, as it is my understanding that it has been replaced by this unit, which is a CD 52:



On the CD 51, you can turn off a lot of the "bling bling," and my guess is that the CD 52 will have the same option.

Good luck!

[911boost]

I just got an Eclipse. Not to expensive and very little color to it. Just two knobs that are a light blue. The entire face is black.

Bill

had to correct my spelling

[Mike Andrew]

Crutchfield lists the CD51 in their current catalog.
I went with an Alpine CDA 9805 which isn't too Rice & allows you to turn off most of the BS, non-essential graphics.
Check their website.

[kstylianos]

schulr,

The one I have has been discontinued and replaced with the DEH-P7500MP. They look about the same. I can't stand the bling and it looks pretty docile w/o all that stuff turned on. Wish it came in black trim rather than silver.

Mine:


Replacement:


see here for review:

http://www.sounddomain.com/sku/PIODEHP7500MP

[scottb]

Mike: I just checked Crutchfield's website, and they don't list the CD 51 anymore, just the CD 52. Where did you find it?

Scott

[schulr]

Scott, SWStero.com has the CD 51 and 52, they also have the Orlando on sale for 250, may be a good deal and it looks pretty good. You can turn off the blang as well. I am going to check out the Nakamichi as well as it looks very clean and the board has had some good comments.

[GeorgeM]

Check out Midwest Electronics

[scottb]

A nice feature of the CD51 (and presumably the CD52) is that you can add a steering wheel remote. I use mine all the time, and it's very convenient. It's a good option, and I think I only paid about $30 for it.

[targa911man]

When I last shopped for one for my son's Jeep, the problem wasn't the bling you can turn off, it was the the shift of virtually all manufacturers on all models to the heavy use of silver and chrome bling in the faceplates. My feeling is the manufacturers are playing to the rice market. They seem to be competing to make the most garish, over-the-top control panel and display. I hope my relatively plain black one holds up.

[911boost]

Dan,

That is why I went with the Eclipse, it is all black, there isn't any silver on it, and I didn't want to spend a ton of cash that could be used on go fast goodies later on, smile.

Bill

[scottb]

The Blaupunkt CD 51 Tampa Bay is, I *think*, electronically identical to the CD 51 Heidelberg, but Blau added some color to it. There's one here on e-Bay for $95. Looks like a good value, and if you can turn off some of the bling you'll be getting a great radio at a great price, IMHO.

Just my $.02.

[targa911man]

Bill, I will keep that brand in mind if mine ever goes out.