Hi all, take delivery of my 06 plater Fabia VRs on april 1st. Just wondering what the standard CD player is like? I aim to replace it after a while with a DVD screen head unit but some thoughts and information on standard CD player!!

Thanks,

As a factory fit unit it's alright. Sound quality is good as the HU from my previous VW Bora (an early Blaupunkt made one, not the later Sony one with cruddy amps). It's easy to use with big buttons and a clear display. There's connections available for adding a cd changer/ipod interface,hooking up an external amp or adding phone hands free. As regards sound quality the amps are probably the limiting factor. Oh and it's got GALA so automatically adjusts the volume according to speed.

Thanks MagicBoy, do you know if you can hook up an MP3 player or does it have to be make specific such as an ipod??

The standard Symphony doesn't have a aux-in socket.

Skoda as of last week sell a proper iPod interface (basically a rebadged Denison ICElink) which uses the CD changer input. Non-apple MP3 players with a line out can be connected via a 3rd party CD changer adaptor called the VAGX1 IIRC. Have a search for more info.

I just changed the CD player in my 1wk old VRS tonight from the standard Symphony one. The difference in sound quaility is massive. I put in a 3year old (mint condition) Kenwood KDC 5090B in but its 47x4 watt so obviously it is going to be better than the standard. I would recommend a change of CD player for sure but it would'nt be my main priority. I only changed it cos I had it in my Renault Clio but did'nt stick it in my Fiesta cos it was too much hassel. I suppose it all depends on your priorities.

Just to highjack this thread for a moment, I also changed my CD Tuner yesterday. I've put an Alpine unit in and the radio reception is appaling, particularly on MW, which is a bummer as I listen almost exclusively to Radio 5, if I'm not listening to a CD. Is there anything I can do to improve it. It sounds like it needs a supressor, as all the interference is electrical. Has anyone got any ideas?

In the olden days a resistor across the alternator used to give decent interference supression - not sure on a modern car though :thumbdwn: I'm sure the theory's the same though.

Have you fitted a booster for your ariel????????

you will need one with most after market head units

I have had no problems with the standard Skoda symphony CD player, would like to be able to connect my MP3 player to it but that's not possible as it stands. Found the unit to have decent sound quality and is plenty loud and Bassy enough for me!

Have you fitted a booster for your ariel????????

you will need one with most after market head units

Go on then I'll bite, where do I get a booster from and where does it need to sit?

The standard Symphony has an aerial amplifier built-in, so you need to provide an external one (try Halfrauds) if you change the HU. The boosted signal will probably overcome the interference.

Changing the HU really revitalises the speakers, and may be all you need to do.

The GALA function (speed-sensitive volume) is very useful - you don't realise how much it is working until you swap to a HU that hasn't got it.

most recent skodas (post 02 says my dealer) have an active aerial, there is an amplifier built into the aerial base , what is missing on most of the aftermarket HU is the power feed to the aerial ,the power (5v if i remember) is fed up the coaxial cable and separated at the aerial base ,without the power fm reception is worse and am is non existant .On the radio section of vagcom there is a test for the aerial and a setting for active or passive aerial

it is possible to get an inline device to supply the power but they have the old inline aerial connector not the newer iso right angle connector so you need to cut the cable and insert connectors