Finally my solution to MP3s

So I gave in and finally installed the Becker Monza... and I love it!!!!! As you can see, the interface is identical to the new Beckers that come in the '04. The difference is that this is not fiber optic and so will not work with '02 and newer models (plus the Becker Porsches won't play MP3s). This plugs directly into the existing CDR-220 cables. I can fit up to 10 hours of music on a single CD... effectively changing out an entire CD changer with every CD. Each MP3 folder is treated like it was a CD in a changer, so I can jump around the MP3 disc by folders. Life will never be the same again.

Just for you a little fun

how much does it cost and where did you get it? how does sound quality compair to your previous unit?

Looks great! Does this radio have the ability to change the color of the illumination to yellow? MP3 and AAC are great compression formats. The fact that you can stuff 10 times the amount of music on one CD is fantastic. Just a point of clarification, the MOST bus was introduced in the 2003 models not 2002. 2002 was the last year of analog sound system connections. Personally, I found the best solution to play my music in the car, (turns out I have almost 5,000 songs from over 400 artists), was to get an iPod, and enable the AUX-in from my Traffic Pro (also works with the CDR-220 AUX-in). This way I have all of my music, and don't have to fumble with CDs anymore. I just plug-in when I get in the car. Hard disk players are the next thing. Who would ever believe that CDs are on the cusp of joining cassettes, and 8-Tracks in the music player retirement home. I expect that in the very next future, car radios will have HD players built-in, and you will download to them from your media server (home computer) to your car via a Wi-Fi or bluetooth connection.

There are car stereos available with built in HDs already. They are pretty costly, but not too much when compared to factory Porsche radio prices. I doubt Porsche will go to one anytime in the next few years though, seeing that in even 2004 they decided not to put MP3s as an option when it is easily available by Becker. I thought about doing the AUX thing too with my Archos, but I guess I'm still a little "old-fashioned." On the subject of illumination, you can't change the background color, but you can order them in my standard color, blue, yellow, red, and green. Below is the example of the yellow background Becker Monza model 7886. The problem is the time it takes to get it. They are special orders from Europe, and they're not always in stock in the United States. Even my "standard" Monza was a hard find. It could take you several months to get the color you want. But then again, it may be worth the wait for you. rbarna... I wish I could tell you what the sound difference was. I only had my CDR-220 for a couple of weeks, and they both sound great to me. They appear on eBay from time to time, but I can give a personal recommendation for SW Stereo . I've met the owner personally. He is German and only deals with Blaupunkt and Beckers. My price was $530. eBay price was $520, but not always available. Matterhorn

That's cool, I wish I could get something like this for my '03... Carnewal ( www.carnewal.com ) carries them as well. Their site lists white and yellow http://64.35.111.106/cpx_p022.htm -Scott

Orient Express Can you explain please, how (what wires/adapters) you adapt the CDR-220 AUX-in for the Ipod. I have an 03 TT with MOST.

Will the Monza control a factory cd changer in the non MOST systems?

Yes, it will work with the non MOST systems. The wire setup is identical to the CDR-220. Here is Becker's ad for it: http://www.becker.de/beckerCC21/www...kt_Monza_GB.pdf

i couldn't find anything on the website. do you know if it will control the factory changer?

I was told by SW Stereo that it would. Looking from the rear of it, you couldn't tell the difference between that and the CDR-220. Anything that works with the CDR-220 would fit right into the Monza.

oops. looked a little futher. it appears that it will work with the changer. how does it connect to the factory amp anyway? is it a wiring harness or RCA cables? damn that head unit is expensive.

dmilzoff: The CDR-220 is a non-MOST radio (at least the one from my 02 996 is) For that radio there is a kit available directly from Becker that costs about $20 that provides the a pigtail between the radio and some RCA connectors. Call Becker at (201)327-3434 x 1209, or [phone removed] x 1209 to order the kit. It is very easy to install, and the kit comes with the instructions on how to put the cable together and how to enable the AUX feature on the radio.

matterhorn, just out of curiosity...why didn't you go with any number of aftermarket head units (ie less expensive) that will play mp3's since you don't have the MOST system and from what i hear it's pretty easily hooked up to the factory system?

Matterhorn, Does it match the FM and AM frequency seperation that we have here in the U.S.?

Mike, FM is in perfect tune with US frequencies. I just check the AM (I haven't listened to AM in a while). They don't match US frequencies because the Becker scans by 9 KHz instead of 10 KHz like in the US. So most (about 80% of the AM stations will not be picked up by the Becker). For those radio geeks out there though, it is interesting to note that the Becker will pick up long wave (153-282 KHz) and short wave (5800-6250 KHz). You can pick up some stuff from other continents on those bands. Not very useful, but an interesting side note. Deputydog, I was originally planning to buy a cheaper aftermarket MP3 player instead of the Becker since they cost about one quarter of the cost. I thought paying that much for a radio was an overkill. However, I couldn't find something which would maintain the OEM look and dashboard consistency like the Becker does, and I also wasn't too excited about putting a Japanese radio in the car. So originally I only ordered it for superfiscial reasons. However, now that I got to use it, I have to say that it is significantly better than most of what I've seen in the Sony/Alpine/Pioneer/Clarion type range, mostly because of its complete dot matrix display which allows for true flexibility in display and longer text instead of the regular Japenese ones which can only display 8 characters at a time and flash you wish a zillion colors to distract you from the fact that all those colors don't mean anything. Only downside to the Becker is the cost, but I think is definitely worth it in a car with the cost of a 996. Everything about it is higher quality which you can feel in the ***** and buttons. You won't get any plastic squeeks.

Matterhorn, Thanks much for the frequency info. I love these units!