Is the Porsche autochanger compatible with a branded head unit

Also if anyone can recommend a Car HiFi installer that has dealt with a 996... thanks

If you have the PCM then you could have problems as it is all fibre optic connected. If you have the standard CD/Radio, then it is made by Becker and can use their std autochanger

Thanks Gaxor. The head unit is a Porsche tape player ( 1999 ). Essentially I would like to change all the speakers in the car put in a smallish amp and put in a minidisc head unit connected to the already installed CD changer. I aint looking for some heavy duty booming system just something which sounds better since at the moment the sound quality isnt all that. I dont think Becker do a minidisc head unit unfortunatly. I currently have a top of the range Alpine minidisc in my TT with changer that I might put into the Porsche when I come to sell the TT. If anyone knows of an ICE installer who has worked on a 996 please tell me. Thanks[ ]

My first post (drum-roll).....[ ] I would highly recommend Bannings in Guilford. They do the dealer work for Porsche Guilford and have done phone and hi-fi work on my last 2 996's. Quiality work and they know their way around a 996. Contact Paul Ashley on 01483 301500 Colin

Becker do make a MD player - see http://www.becker.de/beckerCC21/www_root/index.jsp?language=En - the Mexico Pro MD4937.

Yes - sorry forgot to say that Bannings did fit me a multi-stack MD from Sony that was compatible with the Porsche tape head unit although if you ask Porsche they say not. Believe that Becker are essentially Sony ?

I understand that the Becker units are all their own work - Becker are an independent company not connected to Sony, but I may be wrong. Anyone else confirm?

The details of Becker are on the Becker history part of this page:- http://www.beckerautosound.com/ Started in Pforzheim in 1945, by Max Egon Becker - no connection with Sony. Now part of Harman International.

The plot thickens. Thanks everyone for your advise... I might be getting a Blaupunkt MD head unit and a 5 disc DIN CD changer to go in place of the tape holder. I remember viewing a 996 that had a Sony headunit but cant remember if the changer was Sony too. It could be that Becker have copied the configuration of Sony Car Hifi leads and even changer???? This may of been in a bid to keep R&D costs down. But that is purely a possibility....

Sony do buy OEM equipment from Becker, their satnav is same as the Traffic Pro

Vorland.... The link below confirms the Sony unit is compatable with Becker head unit. http://www.incardiscount.co.uk/acatalog/PORSCHE.html Try giving them a call to see if the reverse is true and if any other head units will work. post us with your results....... I bet I'm not the only person considering changing speakers as well. What have your investigations come up with so far for decent straight-swap alternatives???

I have been emailing a top 996 car audi installer in the states and he thinks that focal front speakers are the best for the 996 cabin. I have some on order and when the rest of the kit arrives I will give some analysis. So far it looks like this: Blaupunkt Minidisc Head Unit Blaupunkt 5 DIN dash changer ( to replace the nasty cassate trays ) Focal fronts Rear seat speakers disconnected Either 3 5 inch focal subs or one 8 inch JL audio sub Rockford fosgate interconnects QED silver speaker wire Alpine V12 4 channel amp ( model TBC ) The reason I have gone for a Blaupunkt Head unit is that it most suits the dash then any other I have found and sound quality via the Line out should be of suitable quality for manipulation by the amp later in the staging.