1977 Deco GM Receiver Revamp

[1977Oldsmobile]

So! My friend Mo recommended this site and I hear you guys are alot of help, so here's a challenge for you!

I have a 1977 Cutlass Supreme Brougham Oldsmobile (Rare 4 Door)

This car is probably the most important vehicle I'll ever own, but 1970's sound quality just isn't up to my standards.

The problem: The original stock 1970's Delco GM radio is fully integrated into the dash, if I were to remove or replace the radio my car would never look the same so we're stuck with it. I like the vintage feel of it anyways, SO THE RECEIVER IS HERE TO STAY.

The specs on the output of this radio are lost and not available on the net so to hell with finding that out.

The project: So I've got some Ultra Linear 250 watt RMS speakers laying around so we'll use those, I'm not looking to beef up the bass just yet, I just want to increase the high frequency quality of the sound in my car. So I'm guessing I need an Amp with speaker-level inputs, but my knowledge stops there, I know there's splicing of speaker line wires involved and I've never actually seen speaker level inputs on an amp. I want to keep the stereo (left and right) sound, but are there only 1 + and - input jack on the amps usually? I hope I've given you guys enough info and I'd love to hear how you'd take on this challenge of REVIVING a 1970's receiver to get the best quality sound out of it as possible!! Also are there any other pieces of hardware that could help me increase the audio quality?

And what about converting the speaker lines to RCA and THEN putting them into the amp, will that have any positive affect on quality as well?

Thanks!!!

-Joel

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[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

Alpine amplifiers used to have speaker-level inputs.

One problem you might run into is that the radio may need to be recapped, especially if it's been sitting unused for a long length of time. Electrolytic caps of that age tend to need replacing...

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

I know a local guy who specializes in replacing the guts of h/u's in antique cars with modern equipment. Its quite amazing what he can do with an AM-only radio out of 57 Ford t-bird, for example. His work isn't cheap, but you end up with custom built full-functioning stock looking h/u that yes, can have RCA outputs, radio presets, etc.

Let me know if this option interests you. If so I will get his contact info.

 

[I Like Waffle]

They make the vintage 2 shaft radios (assuming this is a 2 shaft) that shares the same look as the old ones, but with new functionality. They started with RCA outs too on some of the AC delco radios in the 70s from what i heard too, id check that out. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/eek.gif.771b7a90cf45cabdc554ff1121c21c4a.gif

 

[1977Oldsmobile]

yeah, I have looked into those replacement radios that are designed to resemble a radio style that was featured in an older car, but i checked the dimensions and I'd have to do some cutting of the dash to make it fit and that is NOT something I want to do (ha). I found a useful picture awhile back of the dash piece removed, and the actual radio console is all built in behind the dash and the only parts actually sticking through the bezel are the tuning knobs and preset buttons. The sizes of these replacement (lookalike) radios just don't match up.

Now that idea of gutting the radio and putting in new parts would be a last case scenario due to how expensive I could imagine that to be.

So what else do we got? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/eek.gif.771b7a90cf45cabdc554ff1121c21c4a.gif

 

[gotparts90 10+ year member]

hide a head unit somewhere else then use remote. You can get a repeater fot the remote signal if you want to hide the head unit fully or just make a cable for the face and use the face for a wired remote. millions of ways to do it just start thinking about it.

 

[1977Oldsmobile]

Yeah that sounds like quite an idea, so all of you guys are against trying to hook this 1970's stock H/U up to an amp and speaker system?

You don't think that's going to give me the quality increase I'd like?

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

It might be okay if you used a JL Cleansweep or similar device. You still would need a CD player though.

 

[1977Oldsmobile]

It might be okay if you used a JL Cleansweep or similar device. You still would need a CD player though.

I was just planning on using a radio transmitter off of a Zune MP3 player to get my desired tunes. Its not highest quality but it gets the job done for now.

 

[1977Oldsmobile]

so this JL cleansweep thing needs a CD player to calibrate?

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

No, I meant if you wanted to play CD's rather than just mp3's.