Period radios..

[Pete-M]

Hmm, I'm all 'don't know' about this.

 

Those of you who aren't fed up of my incessant ramblings about the SD1 will no doubt have spotted its period '80s hi-fi set up.

 

This one;

 

Which after a bit of investigation I got working..

Also discovered these bits..

 

Also discovered 3 way Alpine speakers hidden in the back..

 

Now, they're all very nice and genuine '80s top spec hifi stuff and perfect for keeping the whole '80s vibe / DCI Litton / Human League etc vibe going but I've got some problems.

 

1. The headunit is a tape deck. It's got an ipod input... but I don't have, or like, ipods. I like MP3 cds, cos I can play them in everything I drive at work, and I've got loads of 'em. I no longer own a tape deck, so I'm limited to 10 year old compilation tapes I made years ago.. I've been listening to an A-ha tape today because it was the only one I could find.

 

2. The radio reception is bollocks.

 

3. It sounds good for close to 30 years old, but it ain't great.

 

4. It's clunky as fuck really. Two separate amps, a separate tuner and a separate fader in order to get 4x20w of mediocre sound?

 

5. The n/s footwell carpet doesn't sit right because of all the amps and shit. This annoys me.

 

6. I've got this, a hyuuge amp and an Alpine sub all doing bugger all.

 

 

So, I'll leave the Pioneer in until Cholmondely and then it's Nakamichi time

[warren t claim]

It's your car but personally I would just listen to the V8 music the engine makes. How many hours a week to you spend in it?

[Guest]

If it doesn't play tapes, it's not a real car radio.

[Minimad5]

You should have a 4th option .."Sell all that quality looking Pioneer kit to Mark, and spend the rest of my driving days ... Listening to the V8"

[Tayne]

.

[Minimad5]

And if you take the Tayne option, you could use one of them Tapes with a headphone jack on it , bosh it into your Ipod / MP3 and you are done

[Tayne]

.

[Guest]

Stop fucking moaning and do it how you want it.

[Father Ted]

Its period granted, but its not a factory fit stereo so personally I wouldnt even be going to the "slight hang up about originality" disco on the number 7 bus.Fit what suits you the best.

[Richard]

I have a Sony personal CD player similar to this. http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/store ... ms=5132447

 

I've never used it in the car but I might because I have a similar dilemma in the Volvo, I have an mp3/DAB head unit but the adapter makes it look utterly wank.

 

It's not the most elegant solution but it works well. Battery life is good enough not to bother plugging it in and it doesn't skip.

[whitevanman]

IF...originality/retro is not that important, then firt the nacamishi..but can I have first dibs on the Pioneer set up

[pogweasel]

That 80's kit looks totally class and if it's all in good working order I think it should stay. Add a £20 generic MP3 player (iPoo's suck) and job done.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

That 80's kit looks totally class and if it's all in good working order I think it should stay. Add a £20 generic MP3 player (iPoo's suck) and job done.

I strongly agree with this.If this 80's gear can connect to an Ipod does that not mean it will connect to any old Mp3 player as well?

[Parky]

Is there any way you can splice in a cd multichanger unit in the boot enabling you to get cd access whilst retaining the original look? Multichangers are yesterdays tech so should be cheap enough on the bay.Otherwise whats wrong with using the AUX Input for a cd walkman if you arent keen on iPods? I use an iPod in mine but have to be honest i hate the way the charge runs out in four hours (car system doesnt recharge it) and the lead from the ipod to the car always breaks up affecting the sound quality and distribution. So if I am desperate the ipod comes, but if I have time to plan (i.e holiday) i will usually make a batch of tunes for the trip. Not compact or pretty, but heavy is reliable as some geezer in a Guy Ritchie film once said....

[trigger]

I have a 80gb iPod classic I want to sell as I've bought a itouch if you want to buy it?It has 5200 songs on it, a protective cover, box etc, I'll take £60 if you want it.

[pogweasel]

And if you want to make it 5201 songs, you can't.Unless you also have trig's computer, or all his CD's to load all over again.Nice work, Apple.

[trigger]

Yeah that is a bit of a wank design from apple but I did find a free program where it copies all your files on the pod and puts them on your computer.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I think you can actually, I downloaded some computer program or other that allows you to shift the songs from ipod -> computer, it was free and must have been simple if I managed it. I think there are stacks of free programs out there that will do that for you.

[pogweasel]

Yes, there are programs, but it shouldn't be that way round, should it.

[Parky]

Probably not a cheap option, but couldnt someone like the Vintage Wireless Company (Birmingham I think) refurb your unit with modern internals so you end up with built in amps and modern power outputs without all the messy external subs and amps? I have seen some of their old fifties radios rebuilt with FM or DAB tuners, ipod inputs and they look completely original and period but have all the mod cons. If I had some sort of classic sixties car I would definitely consider it but as I say it could be a nice neat solution - but possibly prohibitive on the expense front.You never know, all the extra odds and ends in the system might be of interest and worth a discount?

[Tayne]

.

[trigger]

Trigger's 5200 songs might be shit.

They are, but is a good selection of shit.

[CIH]

you mean shite ?

[STUNO]

Just to add to this, the original 1984 radio/tape in my Rover, it goes well but needs some love. I would guess the tape

has never been used, but has 24 years of dirt in it and the controls are "scratchy"

[Station]

I bought this of Watanabe, this has followed me around in a number of cars so far:

 

 

I can't bide those flashy modern stereos AT ALL! I suggest getting an OE CD/MP3 from a modern car (that doesn't have the huge fascia installed). Flog the old stuff and buy something like that.

[Tayne]

.

[FredTransit]

In case you haven't already made you mind up yet, I would say keep the shite stereo! How about one of these?

 

http://www.szprice.com/products/Cassett ... rrencyId=1

[GJR 11L]

The quoted 20 Watts per corner might not appear to be much, but that's probably 20 real Watts (RMS) and not the current, "PMPO" standard which is meaningless, other than as a marketing tool. Your '80s 20 Watts probably equates to around 160 Watts PMPO.

 

Those old things should sound pretty darned good but, if it's not doing the biz for you, then where'd be the harm in fitting that lovely Nakamichi?

 

MP3 players? Sony Ericsson Walkman every time for me; far better sound quality than certain other players, much easier to move tunes around, not so much of the "dribbly lips syndrome"* and newer ones can be had with a built-in FM transmitter to play via your radio.

 

 

*- Every c*nt's got them....

[Station]

Any pics of Nakamichi?Those tapes can be bought from Poundland (for a pound).

[GJR 11L]

Any pics of Nakamichi?.....

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