Oh No!!! Another Audio Thread :-/

I am biting the bullet and looking to swap out the CDR23 from the 4S. I have spoken at length today with Jonathan at justconnectme.co.uk (who was extremely helpful). They offer a DAB adapter and bluetooth streaming with the JustDRIVE unit for £259.98 fitted. This is a hard wired FM modulator (which I am dubious about as I have a Belkin at the moment plugged into the 12v lighter socket and the frequency needs to be chnaged quite often and the playback from the streamed music isnt any better than FM quality). Jonathan assured me that their product wa sa lot better being hard wired and would provide a very strong signal. It doesn't offer any hands free calling capability. Question 1. Does anybody have any experience of these? Jonathan also advised that the Dension 500 was compatible with the CDR23 but would not offer any hands free calling or bluetooth streaming. This is a very expensive option to connect an iPod (which I do not use). I am also considering replacing the CDR23 with a new unit (which might as well provide Nav, hands free calling and music streaming/aux connect). Question 2. Do I need a separate amp to connect into the existing wiring or is it possible to bypass the Becker amp in the front and wire the headunit outs straight to the car wiring? (I have the sound upgrade so have door speakers). Question 3. In either outcome of Question 2, does anybody have a definitve wiring digram for the wiring from the amp to the speakers. I dont want to cut into this as I would like to return the car to stock if I ever sell it. Question 4. With the wiring, do I need to connect the dash and door speakers to the same channel to change the impendence from 2 to 4 ohms (is it this simple?) Any advice appreciated. I have spent two days trawling forums and cannot find an definitive answers!! Cheers Mark.

You can buy a cable assembly made by Audioleads, which bypasses the amplifier, connecting the speaker outputs from the new head unit directly to the speakers. No cutting of wiring required. Alternatively, there is an interface made by Connects2 which you can use to take the RCA amplifier outputs from the new head unit to the fibre optic input of the existing amplifier. Personally, I think you would be best to fit a new head unit, rather than try and connect other devices to the CDR23. As you say, you can always put it back to standard at sale time, but then again why would you want to? Buyers of both my 996s were glad to have a more up-to-date system than the original fitment. If it was a 70's or 80's model it might be a different story, but I think only the few rare 996 models will become collectible. Just my 2p's worth. If you need wiring diagrams, drop me an email.

Thanks, Richard! I'll look into the connectors. Everything I read told me that some wiring work was required (over and above what you've explained) Could you ping me the wiring diagram for the head unit connection (assume this should be plug and play power though?) and the amp. Huge thanks (as always!) Cheers Mark

I got Les Evans & sons (01743 450457) to fit a Kenwood unit that has Bluetooth audio streaming, phone connectivity and DAB radio. My car has the Bose upgrade and CD player and front amp all of which become redundant and can be removed. I am really pleased with the sound quality through the standard speakers and the hands-free works easily and clearly. Job done !

If you could drop me an email by clicking the button below my avatar photo, with the model year and amp option (M490 or 680) then I can attach them to a reply. I can't make an attachment to an email when using the forum software., but when I reply to yours it will be sent directly. Hope that makes sense.

Guess you live in Shrewsbury - Rapid1