Single DIN receiver with all the modern conveniences

My CDR-220 is doing some strange things lately and although I love how it fits into the car aesthetically, I think I need to consider upgrading it soon. I know a lot of you guys opt for the double-din approach but I really like where my HVAC controls are and I use my little cubby hole for my phone and parking pass for work. So with that being said I'm looking for a fully functional single-DIN unit that looks like it belongs in a European car. I would like Bluetooth access so I can stream from my phone, HD radio, CD player, and USB ports in the back so I can permanently connect a line. On Crutchfield I found this Alpine that seemed to fit the bill: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500HD14...T.html?tp=5684 Only problem is it doesn't seem to support the yellow lettering that matches my current configuration. Anybody have other recommendations? I don't need anything great since my car is so loud that it doesn't make for an ideal audio environment, but I wouldn't mind being able to listen to songs stored on my mobile device instead of having to dig through my CDs.

we have that radio (maybe the prior model) in the Targa and it is a pretty good unit You can change the backlighting color: Variable Color Button Illumination: The head unit lets you choose between Blue, Green, Red, or Amber button illumination. The LCD text will remain white.

Most lcd screens you can change the screen color. I'll post mine up once I get to the house.

I had a kenwood single din that you could change colors to match. It was a good radio but the ui on most single dins isnt as intuitive as a good double din. Ultimately, that (and nav) sent me to a double din. I did keep one cubby though. If you go that route, the install kit from Rod at CAI is best. Good luck

Not sure what we bought for the Jeep, and it doesn't have a color changing screen, so it doesn't match, but it was about $115 at a local shop. Has RCA outputs for when I want to buy and hook up a sub, bluetooth, hands free, I guess it can access some oline radio channels, and it has a cd player. Could have gone cheaper but I wanted the sub connections and RCA front/back outputs. It really all boils down to looks, IMO.

Check out the Kenwood BT362U. I love mine. My only gripe is I wish the highest display brightness setting was a little higher. It can sometimes be hard to read in direct sunlight. I use the Bluetooth for calling and texting on my iPhone 6 and I ran the microphone behind the dash and A-pillar and out next to the drivers sunshade. I also plug in the USB and use it with Pandora.

I installed the Pioneer deh-80prs, along with a power amp in the frunk and a component speaker system (first focal than Hertz). This unit has excellent sound quality, adaptable display light color and allows you to assign your own RGB code to the lighting. It has Bluetooth, a good mic for hands free calling and has two usb inputs. Most importantly, it has a network mode, where you can assign outputs to tweeters, midrange and subwoofer, which abolishes the need for external crossover (good thing in a small car). Downside is the faceplate and ***** have a flimsy feel, the display is ugly and outdated and it has complicated menus. However, the auto EQ and time alignment work pretty good and give you a good sound stage. Price is around $300. I am happy with it.

I installed the Kenwood 372 BT. Very pleased with the results and the Lum can be changed to match stock color.

Continental in Germany manufactures a "retro" DIN 1, flat black radio that looks totally appropriate in Porsche cars. ToreB, a Rennlist Member and frequent contributor to the 993 Forum, now sells Continental radios in his on-line store, Bergvill Fx here: http://www.bergvillfx.com/index.php/...car-audio.html Both a CD and a non-CD version are available. And both are Bluetooth capable. A number of us have installed this radio in our 993's and 964's. Search Continental Radio in Rennlist for more information. Here's what it looks like in a 993: DSC00700s.jpg

^ Those look perfect for the 996!

All great suggestions, thank you! I'm leaning towards the Alpine unit I listed just because it does have all of the features I'm looking for although I'm not especially enthused about the looks. But I'll keep researching. I'm amazed by how inexpensive these are now. I think I paid more for a cassette unit that control a CD changer in the trunk back when I was in high school!

@Jansan946 - This one looks great - http://www.bergvillfx.com/index.php/...7418ub-or.html It says that the radio only has speaker connections, no line-out. Does that mean it can't be used with an amp?

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Very Cool!

Had a Kenwood unit installed by local shop that specializes in this. Sounds better, has Bluetooth which is really useful when on the phone. Like some others said, it can change colors. In my case the yellow/orange color matches all the other gauges so it looks really nice.

The Continental radios have no line-out connections, but a line-out converter (LOC) can be used to input signals to an accessory amplifier. The factory Becker CR/CDR 220 is 18 watts per channel (WPC) @ 4 Ohms. The Continental radios are 41 WPC @ 4 Ohms and 25 WPC RMS, which is a more meaningful power rating. So the Continental has twice the power of the Becker. Then too, both radios use DIN and ISO standard connectors which mean that the factory harness can be used with no splicing or adapters allowing a relatively easy DIY installation if you're handy. I'm keeping my factory CR 210 Becker radio if a future owner wants to convert back. The Continental radios are a relatively inexpensive way to provide modern Bluetooth electronics that integrate smartphones.

Here is the thread on the Continental Radio. Does anyone know how well the color of the Continental display matches the color of the dash lights in a 996 ? I really like the look of the Continentals, they look like a good substitute for the Beckers. Has anyone used Line Out Converters before?

I went with the Nakamichi NA350iBTR a few months ago. I'm happy with it and it looks the part, but it doesn't look like it's available anymore (at least through Crutchfield where I bought it)

My 2000 C2 has the Hi-Fi option. I don't know what the difference is but probably a different amp and better (more?) speakers and I'm happy with the sound. I wouldn't want to decrease the sound quality by eliminating the amp. I looked up Line-Out Converters and there are several different types. I don't think the wiring would be plug and play so I'll leave it up to more adventurous types to be the pioneers in installing one in a 996. If they offered a 996 installation kit I'm sure they would sell tons of these radios. I hope someone here installs one and does a good write-up. I'd be on this in a second. I just left a comment to this effect on their website.

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Right after you posted about your install for this unit I tried to buy one and it was no longer available.

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Where did you get the "Porsche" decal for the radio?

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I have this one as well - but the internal mic makes hands free calls all but impossible given the location of the radio (under the HVAC unit0. Are you able to use yours for calls, Peter?

Thanks for the trust guys! I'll be happy to develop a plug-and-play harness for using the Continental head units in the 996 and Boxster. I have to look into the schematics, get the secessary hardware, but I need a relatively handy guy to do the first installation to get it ready. Cheers, Tore

Here is the link to the manufacturer page for the Continental radios. If you use Google Chrome, have Chrome do the translation from German to English - unless you know German of course.

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That would be great, especially with an option to use the existing external amp. I think the market for this could be big.

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I ordered them from Thailand here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/271898835044?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&rmvSB=true I requested the size be 2.2 mm x 36 mm (they came closer to 2.5mm x 44mm). They usually make them in much bigger sizes -- the decals are individual letters that look great when on, but are quite difficult to apply when they are this size. Each order comes with 4 decals, and they threw in a couple of extra decals because of the small size. It took me a few tries, but I did get the decal on and it looks good.

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The mic was the one area that had a lot of complaints in the Crutchfield user reviews, so I had low expectations for it. It actually works pretty well in our 996 -- I do need to talk a little louder than I do in our Audi factory bluetooth, but the Nakamichi mic has been ok (not great, but not horrible either).

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Just as an FYI, a seller on Amazon shows 2 still available....

I have this Alpine installed in my 928. Has all the modern features, very nice to stream bluetooth and handsfree phone functions: Amazon.com : Alpine CDE-HD148BT CD Receiver with built-in Bluetooth & HD Radio : Vehicle Cd Player Receivers : Electronics Amazon.com : Alpine CDE-HD148BT CD Receiver with built-in Bluetooth & HD Radio : Vehicle Cd Player Receivers : Electronics