Stereo recommendation

[Nik_Endeavour]

Well my Kenwood Stereo decided that i do not need a display anymore so I decided to kill all the lights on the LCD.

I guess it gives me an excuse to buy another one but which would you recommend to suit the dash of a W202.

I had my eye on this

Alpine iDA-X300HAL Digital Media System from Halfords Price £129.90 Half Price Store Fitting ONLY 19.99

but still not convinces (also by looking at the reviews I sounds like it doesn't play mp3 CDs only from USB).

It has to have a USB connection though.



P.S. On another note what is wrong with the Hirschman aerials on the w202 (I have bought 3 in 3 years, from the main dealer). They keep getting stuck and/or snapping. Anybody got a workaround it?

 

[acm718]

I've also been doing car radio research, and have been told nearly ALL new head units DON'T have CD changer sockets on the back.
Which is nice.
Otherwise the Alpine MP3 thingummy would probably be a good buy for me, if it could have a CD changer plugged into it. And I owned an iPod.
Halfords had one JVC CD tuner with a multidisc CD changer - just one.
All this MP3 iPod stuff makes me (and my CD collection) feel very old

 

[Barbanasos]

Go for a becker. There is another thread with all information and images. The only one that will blend with the console as it is meant to and offers great functionality.

 

[Nik_Endeavour]

A bit steep on the price though the Becker. That was the first I looked at

 

[Barbanasos]

They are unless you buy a used one. I mean alpine and the others have great sound quality as well, but anything with silver, big dials and flashing lights just looks so out of place surrouned by wood. Plus the illumination will not match. My brother got a pioneer something 500, just a small dial on the left that you can adjust the colour to anything you want. With a bit of play we matched the interior of his 1984 911 spot on.

Keep scanning ebay for becker used. Most will offer an aux output as well.

 

[gurpz]

A good unit all round unit with top notch sound as always with Alpine. Is also USB+Ipod/AUX ready too

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/8007.html

Has Ai-net too acm718

 

[Apial]

They are unless you buy a used one. I mean alpine and the others have great sound quality as well, but anything with silver, big dials and flashing lights just looks so out of place surrouned by wood. Plus the illumination will not match. My brother got a pioneer something 500, just a small dial on the left that you can adjust the colour to anything you want. With a bit of play we matched the interior of his 1984 911 spot on.

Keep scanning ebay for becker used. Most will offer an aux output as well.

I did just that 5 minutes ago, a Becker Online Pro 7800 for £83! They used to retail at £1500 some years ago.

 

[V12]

The Hirschmann aerials don't seize up if they are cleaned/lubricated.

You can buy specially designed "quick wipes" for this, or just clean and lube it as you would anything else.

 

[Ian_C]

I went for a Kenwood BT8041u. Inc hands free, ipod / USB audio, sub woofer control etc, and just over £100

Kenwood KDC-BT8041U Reviews

PM me for any more details.

 

[Nik_Endeavour]

That looks good Ian. I like it. If only it had green lights it would be a no brainer.

 

[V12]

My brother in law also has one in his 98 C200, and it does look better "in the flesh" than in the pictures...