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General Car Audio
First audio upgrade: Head Unit vs ???
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<blockquote data-quote="derekcohen" data-source="post: 8840523" data-attributes="member: 688805"><p>Hi folks</p><p></p><p>I have a 2001 Porsche Boxster S with the original Porsche/Becker radio/CD CDR220. For those unfamiliar with the set up in my (now vintage) car - with this vintage set up? - there are 2 speakers at the front, 2 at the side, and 2 at the rear. No sub. This is all as the factory installed, and all is working as it did at the start. I've owned the car for about 15 years, and now I would like to upgrade the sound. </p><p></p><p>At present I mainly use an iPhone 11 with ALAC files, or hi res streaming from Tidal. The iPhone is connected via a Bluetooth adapter (this delightful relic was born before Bluetooth or USB) into the Aux input. There is the CD, of course, but changing out discs is tricky when driving on twisty roads and in traffic! Sound from all is decent - but I have no reference, and no idea how decent the CDR220 is by way of amplification, or whether the speakers are just plain junk. </p><p></p><p>In addition to sound, the other priority is GPS and a reversing camera, hence a larger screen than the iPhone. 7" appears to be the optimum size for this Boxster. Hands free phone calls would be nice, but this is not important to me (I have no interest in phone calls when driving). In any event, this seems to be a standard feature with head units. Apple Play would be needed.</p><p></p><p>My plan is to upgrade in stages, starting with the head unit, and replacing speakers later. I'd love to lash out and do it all in one go, but I also want to remain married. It's enough that my wife sees the change up as an extravagance, as she is happy with a basic car radio in her Golf. </p><p></p><p>I have short-listed two head units: Alpine ilx-407a and the Alpine ilx-507a. Plus the Alpine HCE-C1100 rear view camera. The main difference between the two head units (for myself) is that the 507a is wireless and the 407a requires a cable to connect the iPhone for Car Play. I am not sure how important this is since it may be better to connect with a cable anyway for the best sound. Comments? If so, the extra cost of the 507a may be wasted. Of course, I would much prefer the convenience of wireless, and would be prepared to spend the extra for this if the sound was not affected noticeably. It may not be an issue with my speakers (at this stage). Or I could put the difference towards a sub? I did research the Sony XAV-AX4000, but it appears that this is better with Android than Apple for lossless sound.</p><p></p><p>Thanks for your patience in reading through this. I look forward to your comments and suggestions.</p><p></p><p>Regards from Perth, Australia</p><p></p><p>Derek</p><h3></h3><h3></h3></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="derekcohen, post: 8840523, member: 688805"] Hi folks I have a 2001 Porsche Boxster S with the original Porsche/Becker radio/CD CDR220. For those unfamiliar with the set up in my (now vintage) car - with this vintage set up? - there are 2 speakers at the front, 2 at the side, and 2 at the rear. No sub. This is all as the factory installed, and all is working as it did at the start. I've owned the car for about 15 years, and now I would like to upgrade the sound. At present I mainly use an iPhone 11 with ALAC files, or hi res streaming from Tidal. The iPhone is connected via a Bluetooth adapter (this delightful relic was born before Bluetooth or USB) into the Aux input. There is the CD, of course, but changing out discs is tricky when driving on twisty roads and in traffic! Sound from all is decent - but I have no reference, and no idea how decent the CDR220 is by way of amplification, or whether the speakers are just plain junk. In addition to sound, the other priority is GPS and a reversing camera, hence a larger screen than the iPhone. 7" appears to be the optimum size for this Boxster. Hands free phone calls would be nice, but this is not important to me (I have no interest in phone calls when driving). In any event, this seems to be a standard feature with head units. Apple Play would be needed. My plan is to upgrade in stages, starting with the head unit, and replacing speakers later. I'd love to lash out and do it all in one go, but I also want to remain married. It's enough that my wife sees the change up as an extravagance, as she is happy with a basic car radio in her Golf. I have short-listed two head units: Alpine ilx-407a and the Alpine ilx-507a. Plus the Alpine HCE-C1100 rear view camera. The main difference between the two head units (for myself) is that the 507a is wireless and the 407a requires a cable to connect the iPhone for Car Play. I am not sure how important this is since it may be better to connect with a cable anyway for the best sound. Comments? If so, the extra cost of the 507a may be wasted. Of course, I would much prefer the convenience of wireless, and would be prepared to spend the extra for this if the sound was not affected noticeably. It may not be an issue with my speakers (at this stage). Or I could put the difference towards a sub? I did research the Sony XAV-AX4000, but it appears that this is better with Android than Apple for lossless sound. Thanks for your patience in reading through this. I look forward to your comments and suggestions. Regards from Perth, Australia Derek [HEADING=2][/HEADING] [HEADING=2][/HEADING] [/QUOTE]
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