Radio Suggestions?

scottb · 08-19-2002, 10:26 PM

A PO of my 84 put an Eclipse radio in. When I use the CD player, it skips going over bumps. I don't have any paperwork for the radio, so Eclipse will not service it (assuming that I stole it and therefore don't have paperwork). So, it looks like I'll be replacing the radio.

Any suggestions on a reasonably priced radio/cd player for the car? I don't need (or want) fancy graphics. I just want a solid unit that (1) sounds good, (2) will play CDs without skipping, (3) has controls that are accessible and not made for people with tiny fingers, and (4) has a display that's more or less readable without having to lean too far over to the right.

Thanks much.

Joeaksa · 08-19-2002, 10:41 PM

Had a Kenwood in mine for years and worked fine but was showing its age. Fry's had Blaupunkt CD units on sale for a good price a few weeks ago and dropped one in the car and its nice as well. No skipping on either ones but I am using stock torsion bars as well...

I also ended up putting a amp under the pax seat. Really makes it sound nice...

Joe

scottb · 08-19-2002, 10:46 PM

Which Blau?

BYantzer · BYantzer's Garage

goto crutchfield.com

eion · 08-19-2002, 11:32 PM

One of the P/Os installed a Blaupunkt Denver in my car. Now that I've sorted the stereo out (there was something wrong with the DSP they'd installed, probably the power supply to it) it works like a charm. Hasn't skipped yet, even driving over the appalling roads around here.

targa911man · targa911man's Garage

I have Kenwoods in my jeep and 911, neither of which have a particularly smooth ride, and only get skips on severe jolts. The jeep unit is a cd player with a 10 disc changer, the 911 has a tape unit with an identical 10 disc changer. I have been very satisfied with both. I can get the model numbers if you want. I was not happy with the Blaupunkt in the 911.

N11Porsche · N11Porsche's Garage

Japan makes great electronics equipment BUT there is something about putting a Japanese radio in a German Porsche that goes against my grain. Keep your p-car all-German and go with the Blaupunkt. I put one in my SC and I really like it, I also have Blaupunkt speakers and they sound great. I am not an audiophile so I may not be as fussy as others when it comes to sounds. I have the Blaupunkt RPD 545, an 180 watt AM/FM/CD unit. Good Luck with whatever you purchase.

JavaBrewer · JavaBrewer's Garage

Agree with N11, stick with Blaupunkt. They have a whole new line coming out but the Heidelberg CD51 is a great unit. It never skips, has a rich sound, and tame graphics. Blaupunkt tuners are very good if you live in a hilly area and have problems locking in on a station (like North County San Diego). Once I put that thing in I got all kinds of stations I never knew existed.

Hladun · 08-20-2002, 09:55 AM

Before we crow about German superiority, I'd suggest carefully looking at were your beloved Blaupunkt is manufactured. I don't know, but I'd guess S.E. Asia somewhere. If it is Germany (made by actual Germans) my apologies.

JavaBrewer · JavaBrewer's Garage

Don't read from my post that I consider Blaupunkt superior to other brands cause I don't. I just like their look and the german name goes with the p-car. I would be suprised if they were actually made in Germany or even assembled there. They just look good in the dash of a p-car. Of course quality is even more important and the newer offerings from Blaupunkt are finally competitive to the Sonys and Pioneers in both price and performance.

David

bob tilton · bob tilton's Garage

have you checked pelican's 911 classifieds? there is a guy selling a blaupunkt cd deck. i believe his name is bob tilton.

sorry for the sales pitch

.

Blaupunkt CD player with detachable face

island911 · 08-20-2002, 10:32 AM

I believe some Blaupunkt are still manufactured in Germany. Though most for N America are not.
My understanding is the read-ahead method to minimize skipping is more expensive than physical damping; and is rarely used in the Jap' decks. This is fine for the Benz, but the 911, it just doesnt work. . . as you know.
The Toronto is NLA retail but has very good skip resistance, is german made, and fits the 911 dash nicely. Becker (OEM) is nice too. I have, and like both.

JWest · 08-20-2002, 11:00 AM

Blaupunkt is part of the Bosch group - I have a feeling they don't come from Taiwan.

scottb · 11:55 AM

According to Crutchfield, the mid-priced Blaupunkt units (e.g., Tampa Bay) won't handle CD-R or CD-RW disks. Makes it difficult to program the perfect music to go with the perfect ride!

Is it just me, or is putting a modern radio with all sorts of graphics into an older 911 contrary to what these cars are all about? Seems to me that simplicity should be the order of the day.

KTL · 01:53 PM

I've gold an older Blaupunkt Miami Beach CD unit if you're interested (it plays CD-R's). Very appropriate looking for the car. I just got a newer Tampa Bay model. Got the new one because I needed a unit with pre-amp outputs for my external amplifier. It's only skipped a few times and that's over the nasty bumps (my car uses 22/29 t-bars and Bilstein HD/Sport shocks frt./rear)

Looks like this:

By the way, it's not Taiwan............... it's Malaysia

Anybody interested, feel free to ask. Sorry for the sales pitch, but Scott asked!

N11Porsche · N11Porsche's Garage

I wasn't crowing "about German Superiority". Personally, I would rather not have a Japanese "brand" or any other brand that isn't German, in my Porsche, regardless of where it is manufactured. Just my opinion......ymmv (my Blaupunkt was very inexpensive, on sale at Fry's and it plays CD-R's, as I make my own CD's)

scottb · 08-20-2002, 02:54 PM

OK, I'm convinced, Blaupunkt it is! I still want the radio to be simple and easy to operate, however, and I definitely do not want lots of flashy graphics.

Anyone have any thoughts on the Blaupunkt Santa Fe and Santa Monica models?

Early_S_Man · 08-20-2002, 03:14 PM

Check here for some closeout/refurbs from the warranty Blau center:

http://www.midwest-usa.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/cgi-bin/h_search?U+mw_store+nriw1223+cat=1001&c=nriw1223

sayah · 08-20-2002, 04:04 PM

My suggestion is to go with an Eclipse. The inside is different from the other radio's I've seen. All modular. You can seperate the components just like a computer when the cd go kaput. The only minus is a somewhat washed out display and tiny buttons. Good solid volume for a pair of speakers. One other plus. Unlike alot of other units on the market which protude pas the front facia, the Eclipse can be mounted flush. Nice neat instalation. Just my 2 pense. Cheero

paul571 · 08-20-2002, 04:25 PM

A classic and clean design interior like the 911 needs a classic and clean design head unit. After months of research, I went with Nakamichi CD-45z unit. The design fits nicely with the dash layout and it also has all the up-to-date features as well, included a nice volume control knob. The soft orange back-lite display even matches all the dash lights.

As for all the talk about Blaupunkt, sorry guys, Sony has been making Blaupunkt for years now. So much for “German” made.

Besides, have you look at all the Blaupunkt lately? They belong more in a Toyota than a Porsche.

So, don’t just go by the brand name alone, instead chose a good quality and well design product just like our beloved 911s.

Paul