993 Stereo
- Thread starter Kellym1
- Start date
Hello Mark,
Congratulations on getting hold of your dream car. I bought a 1996 993 earlier this year and faced the same problem with the stereo. I eventually bought a Becker Cascade on the basis that it's the same manufacturer as the original units which were fitted, similar era and IMHO it has the most complimentary looks with the 993 dash. The rotary controls are similar to the 993 pull controls and the tone of black on the unit, ie. not quite black, is very similar to the existing plastics and the air conditioner unit if you've got that. It's also possible to change the lit colour of the display to match the amber glow of the internal lighting. Another popular option is the Becker Grand Prix, but to my mind, I don't think the rotary controls are as in-keeping with the 993 dash....although I'm sure that's very much a matter of opinion. The cascade is expensive (see ebay) but gives GPS and blue tooth phone integration. Don't expect to much from the satnav though - it's only a small display so not as good as a tom tom.
The other option is to go for the original equipment if you want total originality - others will advise better than I can on that I am sure.
There's also the retro-styled modern units from the like "porscheshop.co.uk", I think it's called "classic" or something similar. It's got a big screen and in-built satnav, but there's a few mixed reviews on line about this unit.
Hope that's some help
Andrew
Congratulations on getting hold of your dream car. I bought a 1996 993 earlier this year and faced the same problem with the stereo. I eventually bought a Becker Cascade on the basis that it's the same manufacturer as the original units which were fitted, similar era and IMHO it has the most complimentary looks with the 993 dash. The rotary controls are similar to the 993 pull controls and the tone of black on the unit, ie. not quite black, is very similar to the existing plastics and the air conditioner unit if you've got that. It's also possible to change the lit colour of the display to match the amber glow of the internal lighting. Another popular option is the Becker Grand Prix, but to my mind, I don't think the rotary controls are as in-keeping with the 993 dash....although I'm sure that's very much a matter of opinion. The cascade is expensive (see ebay) but gives GPS and blue tooth phone integration. Don't expect to much from the satnav though - it's only a small display so not as good as a tom tom.
The other option is to go for the original equipment if you want total originality - others will advise better than I can on that I am sure.
There's also the retro-styled modern units from the like "porscheshop.co.uk", I think it's called "classic" or something similar. It's got a big screen and in-built satnav, but there's a few mixed reviews on line about this unit.
Hope that's some help
Andrew
I recently bought my dream car well done you !
i would say join the club but you did LOL
Ive a 993 which had a really naff Sony stereo but found a Becker nav from Boxter bits,thinking that the nav would be an inferior extra!
Got to say Boxter bits were great and really helpfull although he mainly deals with cars that have water in! BIZARRE, had radio fitted looks great works well and I'm actually even impressed with the sat nav. ( for what it is)
i would say join the club but you did LOL
Ive a 993 which had a really naff Sony stereo but found a Becker nav from Boxter bits,thinking that the nav would be an inferior extra!
Got to say Boxter bits were great and really helpfull although he mainly deals with cars that have water in! BIZARRE, had radio fitted looks great works well and I'm actually even impressed with the sat nav. ( for what it is)
Jonttt
Member
A picture of the Becker Cascade fitted in my car for you
Also the Sony unit may be original as I believe they where fitted as dealer options. The telltale sign is when you come to change them the original wiring harness is bypassed via a block conversion box (at least if you have the HiFi option with amp under the seat).
Becker don't make radios anymore (they are concentrating on OEM sat nav systems) but they are the best solution IMHO for the 993 period of car. They were a £2k+ factory option in Ferrari's.
So second hand is your best option. Due to demand though prices have risen and I would look at one as an investment as much as a purchase ie you could spend £300 on a modern new unit or £600 on a cascade. The cascade will cost you less to own though due to likely resale value.
Its also worth noting that to play ipods you will need an adaptor. Again genuine ones have gone up in value but the copies don't offer all of the functions. Controlling an ipod via the cascade is as good as having the ipod in your hand and its best to just source an cheap second hand ipod off ebay to leave in the car. Factor in £100 for the adaptor but again will always have a strong resale value.
The software can be updated to the last v5-1 easily by CDROM which allows you to run up to date maps. I run 2013 BMW maps with speed camera database so the unit gives three beeps even when nav is not being used to indicate speed cameras (so you know you are in an accident blackspot ;-)
Oh the headunit is top quality as well !
As you can tell I'm a fan and have two in my toys.
ps there are 2 versions, the pro and normal. The pros are more expensive but for me not worth the extra ;-). Compared to the cheaper Beckers (is there such a thing as a cheap becker) the cascades use CF card memory for maps which is faster ;-)
Hope that helps. You can make you car look like Blackpool illuminations and a disco from Halfords for £50 though
Also the Sony unit may be original as I believe they where fitted as dealer options. The telltale sign is when you come to change them the original wiring harness is bypassed via a block conversion box (at least if you have the HiFi option with amp under the seat).
Becker don't make radios anymore (they are concentrating on OEM sat nav systems) but they are the best solution IMHO for the 993 period of car. They were a £2k+ factory option in Ferrari's.
So second hand is your best option. Due to demand though prices have risen and I would look at one as an investment as much as a purchase ie you could spend £300 on a modern new unit or £600 on a cascade. The cascade will cost you less to own though due to likely resale value.
Its also worth noting that to play ipods you will need an adaptor. Again genuine ones have gone up in value but the copies don't offer all of the functions. Controlling an ipod via the cascade is as good as having the ipod in your hand and its best to just source an cheap second hand ipod off ebay to leave in the car. Factor in £100 for the adaptor but again will always have a strong resale value.
The software can be updated to the last v5-1 easily by CDROM which allows you to run up to date maps. I run 2013 BMW maps with speed camera database so the unit gives three beeps even when nav is not being used to indicate speed cameras (so you know you are in an accident blackspot ;-)
Oh the headunit is top quality as well !
As you can tell I'm a fan and have two in my toys.
ps there are 2 versions, the pro and normal. The pros are more expensive but for me not worth the extra ;-). Compared to the cheaper Beckers (is there such a thing as a cheap becker) the cascades use CF card memory for maps which is faster ;-)
Hope that helps. You can make you car look like Blackpool illuminations and a disco from Halfords for £50 though
Hi Mark - I'm not sure of it's too late, but I also replaced the Sony radio/head unit that came with my car.
I had an expensive Alpine head unit with bluetooth fitted, which was a disappointment from the start (poor audio and radio quality and very sketchy bluetooth).
I eventually swapped it out for a Parrot Asteroid Classic (http://www.parrot.com/uk/products/hands-free-car-kits/parrot-asteroid).
It's still modern though IMHO not too garish.
The functionality is precisely what I'm looking for - I connect an iPhone and use this for all music/sat nav/cheap fuel/streaming radio functionality.
The firmware is slightly "quirky" though the latest software update has improved reliability no end.
As you would expect its Bluetooth functionality is excellent and very reliable.
Most interestingly, my car has the hi-fi option and there are some very important idiosyncrasies to the installation.
Firstly the old Sony had been fitted using an attenuator box to connect the speaker outputs to the amplifier (under the seat - RH I believe).
This box is a nightmare and did horrible things to the sound. The Alpine has pre-amp outputs so I wired up an adapter lead to replace the horrid box and this improved the sound no end, but not to where I thought it should be.
When I eventually replaced the Alpine with the Parrot I was somewhat surprised to hear a massive improvement in audio quality - much improved clarity, less coloration and substantially better bass (no, I'm not into D&B).
I can only assume that the under-seat amplifier presents a challenging load to any pre-amp drivers, and the Parrot is better able to tolerate this than the Alpine.
I guess if the Becker's your bag, and you can afford it, then go for that.
For me the Parrot is much better value and offers much improved functionality, matching my way of use much more closely.
Please feel free to PM me if you'f like to chat further
Regards
Jim
I had an expensive Alpine head unit with bluetooth fitted, which was a disappointment from the start (poor audio and radio quality and very sketchy bluetooth).
I eventually swapped it out for a Parrot Asteroid Classic (http://www.parrot.com/uk/products/hands-free-car-kits/parrot-asteroid).
It's still modern though IMHO not too garish.
The functionality is precisely what I'm looking for - I connect an iPhone and use this for all music/sat nav/cheap fuel/streaming radio functionality.
The firmware is slightly "quirky" though the latest software update has improved reliability no end.
As you would expect its Bluetooth functionality is excellent and very reliable.
Most interestingly, my car has the hi-fi option and there are some very important idiosyncrasies to the installation.
Firstly the old Sony had been fitted using an attenuator box to connect the speaker outputs to the amplifier (under the seat - RH I believe).
This box is a nightmare and did horrible things to the sound. The Alpine has pre-amp outputs so I wired up an adapter lead to replace the horrid box and this improved the sound no end, but not to where I thought it should be.
When I eventually replaced the Alpine with the Parrot I was somewhat surprised to hear a massive improvement in audio quality - much improved clarity, less coloration and substantially better bass (no, I'm not into D&B).
I can only assume that the under-seat amplifier presents a challenging load to any pre-amp drivers, and the Parrot is better able to tolerate this than the Alpine.
I guess if the Becker's your bag, and you can afford it, then go for that.
For me the Parrot is much better value and offers much improved functionality, matching my way of use much more closely.
Please feel free to PM me if you'f like to chat further
Regards
Jim
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