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Changing radios

DavidL

DavidL

Active member
I've just bought a Sony Din unit to replace mine as its the original Panasonic - Alpha?.
So how do I go about it? Getting the old one out looks fun - I don't have the metal removing tools but can I make some?
Will the new one just slide in or will it need a new cage?
Will the wiring be self evident or have I got to start cutting and swopping? Clarks suggests some issues regarding the antenna amplifier and its connections.
Any info gratefully received!
 
Hi David,

Once your old radio is out... you will see the existing wiring. I doubt that it will be an ISO standard fitting so some cutting and re wiring will most likely be required. You can buy an ISO connector (which is now pretty much standard) and you can then alter the wiring to suit.. its quite straight forward.

Your new head unit will most probably require a metal cage in which to sit and secure into place.

The antenna if wired via the windscreen will be a thin black wire running alongside the aerial coax... this powers the signal booster.

Hope this helps

Mike [;)]
 
You can get removal tools from Hellfrauds, as well as the ISO adapter. If you can figure out which mainstream car uses the same connection (I assume one will have done) you might even get a plug and play adapter, and there is generous space for such things in the 944 compared to many cars. If you have to buy one to splice in you can use those connectors that pierce the insulation as that avoids cutting off the original plug which would be shame if the car has its original stereo after all this time. Wiring colours are on the pack the connector comes in, but you'll need to work out what the colours in the car are unless Clarks or some other resource lists them on line. It's basically + & - for 4 speakers, permanent live, ignition live, earth and the aerial amp, so 12 wires in all.

The antenna amp cable as identifed above needs to connect to a blue (or maybe it's blue/white) connector on the stereo which is probably labelled "auto ant", "+12V", "acc" or similar. All it does is provide a 12V output when the stereo is on which was originally intended to raise electric aerial masts.
 
Ok so a qualified success.
It's in and it works.
However I failed to mention my car has the 490 10 speaker option so when I removed the old stereo I had a few extra wires to contend with!
It seems these systems come with a power preamp buried somewhere to run the extra speakers (although I dont have the graphic equaliser). Currently this has not been reattached as I don't quite know how.
There is a din socket coming out of the dash wiring and a corresponding one from the old radio but the actual connections are not labelled in any way.
The new Sony has 6 spare phono jack type connections 2 each for audio out L/R and front/rear and 2 more for a sub out. As I have 6 spare wires I assume these will correspond but I have no idea which is which.
Jim's page above offered a few useful tips (thanks) but it hasn't been updated quite to the point I need!
So I'm using the internal amp which is fine for now.
I will also advocate those head sets with a front USB. Mine allows full scrolling through the files with artist/album and track titles. When I find a small 4gb usb stick it will stay on my keyring allowing access to lots of music without having to carry an MP3 player or buying a new expensive phone. It seems a great idea.
 
Don't try to get the amp working with the stereo. You can't use both, it works now and you're happy, and if you even do get it working I imagine it would be loads of effort and probably won't even sound as good as the setup you have now.
 
The old one would work without the amp connected, I checked. Why would there be any more isue with the new head unit than the old? Are they made or set up differently now?
Having said that I'm not sure I would notice the difference as you say!
 
The amp in the new one is probably as powerful as the old 944 one, and it's 20 years newer technology. It would work, but it will be hassle to make it so and I seriously doubt you'll benefit. You want your audio system to be as simple as possible as additional components and connections all degrade the signal. A good source with integrated amp connected directly to the speakers is ideal unless you want to get into audiophile stuff.
 
I'd cautiously disagree with Fen ...

Amplifiers built into head units always have been rubbish, and rarely produce a quarter of the power they are listed as. And in the world of car audio quality, power is a large part of making things sound good (not necessarily loud, but good.)

An off-board amp will always offer better sound quality, and it's the cheapest and simplest improvement to make to a simple in-car sound system. (I have a small additional amplifier in the boot of my 944 which made an astounding difference to the quality of the sound coming out of the speakers. And that amp is 15 years old.) The question is whether the off-board amp that Porsche built into the car is any good.

I'd say that it is probably worth a bit experimentation, although it could be time consuming and will depend upon how much you value good sound in your car. A working 'OK' set-up is much better than a 'superb' set-up that is not yet finished ...


Oli.
 
Well using it for the first time properly there is a definite bias to the front speakers and no perceiveable effect when playing with the fader balance. There is also a lack of base which I suppose the rear speakers would provide.
I shall have a look through the wiring diagrams and see what I can work out.
 
While I agree in principle Oli, I think the Porsche fitted amp will be rubbish (based on the quality of speakers they fitted - Nokia might make decent phones (do they still? I haven't had one for donkey's), but I contend a hi-fi speaker manufacturer they ain't, nor ever were). I'd be surprised if it has any more oomph than a modern head unit.

I also suspect it might be a booster amp which is likely to boost undersirable noise as well as the sound you want to hear.
 
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