I'm a complete numpty when it comes to ICE, but do know that the Std Octavia system sounds pants to me :thumbdwn:

Whilst getting the alarm fitted last year, a geezer in the shop said that by just changing the HU would produce much better sound, is this right or am I better going the whole hog and replacing speakers also?

So therefore without going into too much techno speak, can anyone recommend a HU and speakers, (if required), to upgrade too that will replace the standard units, budget of up to

Have a word with andy_ccr he runs a shop in essex but there are shops up north as well.

When I changed to stereo in my vRS, I changed the speakers first. This improved no end the sound from the standard HU, then I changed that a few months later because I wanted DAB.

You will most likely have to bin the original changer, no one makes an adaptor for it to work with anything else. Its a panasonic unit, but even panasonic HU's cant control it.

Get a headunit that plays MP3's that way you proberbly wont need the changer anyway.

Would be possible to get fairly "entry level" HU and speakers which would still be better than standard. However, the standard changer isn't going to work with anything, so you might as well replace it.

So, personally I'd say just get a good HU and changer which will set you back about

Try K&M Acoustics in Wigan. 01942 820174. Ask to speak to Kieth.

\They have done numerous installs on both my Octys from full ICE, sat nav, phone,

Sounds prestine and excellent service from them..

Just my opinion

Cheers

Tim

Not sure what the going rate is for installation work - I've done it all myself. The likes of Halfords do free fitting but swapping a HU is not difficult although you may need a converting harness (

Thanks guys

Thinking of now going down the MP3 route, but does anyone have any good recommendations for software to convert my CD's to MP3 format?

Also how long does it typically take to convert a CD to MP3 and burn it onto a CDR?

It depends on how fast your computer and CD writer are...

Rob.

Plenty of free software around for MP3 conversion. Obviously some of the new headunits also do WMA which is a slightly better conversion rate.

Headunit choice is huge !!

Andy

I use audiocr4palyst for ripping CDs to MP3 - usually to 192kbps to maintain a bit of quality. Typically it takes only 2 or 3 minutes to rip a whole CD into several MP3 tracks, then writing the CD-R is dictated by your drive speed... For me, it takes another 3 minutes or so.

Also with MP3 more time is taken up with deciding the compilation of albums on each CD-R... In my haste I've mixed some genre's in together (eg: chemical brothers & Alanis Morrisette) and it's not that good... May need some rethinking on a couple of my choices.

I can't fault the MP3 system though, as its like I have a wallet full of CD changers in my glove box

to be honest from my experience with cars spend as much as you can on the HU(prob why i have a 500 quid alpine in mine right now- doh) with a decent amp built in and general quality and wait on the speakers as the better HU will make your standard speakers sound lots better. but if you want really nice sound then change speakers aswell but for now, just change HU mate. alpine and kenwood have probably the best sound quality but alpines and the current kenwoods generally ain't the prettiest, pioneer are v good too just dont tend to have enough buttons on them in my opinion so you need to keep using menu's. sony is generally every day stuuf, works well enough but nothing to shout about. same with the blaupunkt as the alpine/kenwood, bloody good units but not good looking, sorry but the blaupunkts are the worst offenders for this.

hope this helps

Thanks guys

Thinking of now going down the MP3 route' date=' but does anyone have any good recommendations for software to convert my CD's to MP3 format?

Also how long does it typically take to convert a CD to MP3 and burn it onto a CDR?[/quote']

I use Exact Audio Copy (www.exactaudiocopy.de) - it's freeware and works well if a little slow. As Rob says, time is down to the computer for compressing the file and the speed of your CD writer. I find it's the CD drive that's the limiting factor on my set up - external USB drive, but I set it going then go and do something else while it rips.

It's worth experimenting on the compression ratio as it will effect the quality of the MP3 playback - depends on how good your ears are.

I have to say that the Kenwood I had for demo for a few days sounded awful, and it was a top of the range one !! Try some of the new top Pioneers if you are running an amplified system. Else look at some of the new high spec JVC with 24bit DACs in....

If you are not overly fussed about running an amplified system, then the world is your choice.

For decent priced units check out :

JVC KD-G701

Pioneer DEH-P7500MP (Can be found for silly money as its an 'old' model now)

Clarion DZX648/748/848

Pioneer DEH-P77MP

Alpine CDA-9812RR, or the new CDA-9831/33

andy, what kenwood was it??

i'm really surprised that a top of the range kenwood can sound rubbish.

not being funny but are you sure it was all setup properly. i had a kdc-psw9521 with mp3/wma and all the high end stuff and it sounded great

It was a brand new KDC-W8027 with the fluo display. Couldn't get on with the new style mask panel either. Just didn't like the sound, sounded rather flat to me even after adjusting some of the settings. Having said that, when we were retailing PSW9521s I had one for a few weeks and liked it. The new PSW-9527 looks on paper very good spec, but again very complicated to set up, so we'll see. I've had a new Pioneer DEH-P8600MP fitted for a few days and I really like that.

I suppose in one way as I get to try any unit I want, I soon tend to find things I like / don't like.

Don't take these comments as a knock against Kenwood, they are the personal views of me, and not my company. Reliability, features and price compare well to the other brands.

Andy

fair enough mate, personal tastes and all. i got me an alpine 9815rb at the mo and i like it a lot.

very messy to set up when you aint used to it though, my system is fully amped so i got even more control :eek: bugger

sounds nice though

just need the sat nav in again. do you work in/own a shop then?

Blaupunkt Los Angeles is good - got it cheap and it plays mp3 cds - got 7 hours of music on one cd yippeeee.

i agree, i think blaupunkt are great units, just the looks that i don't like. personally think they are quite ugly

I run 'Car Audio Centre' down in Essex/London. At the moment the nice little toy I have is a Pioneer Avix X1 unit.

The only real Blaupunkt units we sell are the Woodstock and the Acapulco MP3

nice unit. i currently have sat in my bedroom doing absolutely sod all is a clarion nax 9500e, tv tuner, aeriel booster and cd changer. what i need is a screen (preferably a clarion 633 stand alone unit) and a form of mounting. what i was considering was one of these , the mkm 1150 1 din in-dash mount for a screen(the screen is seperate to the unit).

you seen em before?? and can you help me get one.

my biggest wory is whether i can marry the screen with the in-dash mount wotsit

That mount is purely for the VDO system only I'm afraid. I have got a VRX633 I would like to sell as its not overly popular as its only semi motorised. But the plus side is that it has a full removeable front. Give me a ring on 07970 939792 or 0280 5901631 if you are interested.

Andy

So Andy,

If we wanted to purchase a nice little head unit off you, what sort of discount would you like to offer us Briskodians? Am interested in a new HU at the moment, it doesn't even have to be this years model as long as the price was right?

PM me if you have any knocking around!!!

andy, i dont want the vrx633, i want the vma633. the screen is about the same size as the appropriate vdo screen so i was hoping it would fit. maybe with a bit "adjustment"