Retro-ish Radio suggestion

[Rich]

Bit of a two-parter this. I'm looking for some inspiration for the radio for my 121. The interior is this, but the other way round, same trim, etc, slightly darker woodrim wheel but it's cheap and cheerful.



My actual interior minus scabby wheel and 11 years of ming:



As you can see, I have a little space to play with as in I have space for a single DIN in the stock location OR I quite fancy fitting a double DIN in the lower centre console if the right unit came up.

Currently I have a flip out screen all-singing all-dancing single DIN unit but I'm not sold on it as it's a bit clunky to use and to be fair, a gimmick.

The outside of the car looks like so:



Second part is, anyone have anything suitable for sale? I know that part is better suited to a wanted ad but I want to keep this open to suggestion as well as 'I have one of these you can buy', so even if you 'aint selling but can think of something that may suit or have seen something I'd like to know!

[fr€$h&m1nt¥]

Your post reminded me of this for sale advert from November...

forum.retro-rides.org/thread/216396/retro-stereos-milton-keynes-various

Let me know if you wanted the cd changer to accompany the Sony head units.

I get the impression though that you’re after something more modern unless you’re thinking of a period double din.

Pioneer and Nakamichi used to do some high end multiple single din separate head unit / pre-amp controllers of that era but I dare say they hold their value well. There used to be a few audio hoarders on here but I’m not sure if they’re still around.

[swollen]

I just went old school in the van, bought the unit, then seperate face off ebay all for £15, put a £20 smartdab unit in behind and I've got my old 10 disc changer to go on it when I find some time.

[Rich]

Jan 15, 2021 4:36:05 GMT fr€$h&m1nt¥ said:

Your post reminded me of this for sale advert from November...

forum.retro-rides.org/thread/216396/retro-stereos-milton-keynes-various

Let me know if you wanted the cd changer to accompany the Sony head units.

I get the impression though that you’re after something more modern unless you’re thinking of a period double din.

Pioneer and Nakamichi used to do some high end multiple single din separate head unit / pre-amp controllers of that era but I dare say they hold their value well. There used to be a few audio hoarders on here but I’m not sure if they’re still around.

No, not after anything that screams too modern. Big flashy led double DIN units don’t appeal, but possibly a 90’s lcd type with cd and cassette could work if the style was right. I’d love a Nak but I wouldn’t want to waste one on a car like this. I’d fit that in my Cherokee

[mr2fc]

Have a look at Blaupunkt, less gaudy than most

[outrage]

Older Sonys like the CDX 5042 would fit like a glove design-wise, but I never encountered one with a working CD player, they all showed the famous "Err-04".
So I'd suggest Grundig, like the SCD 1910, SCD 5392, SCD 3390 or the Challenge 600. They are rock solid, can be set to work without ignition on (a pet peeve of mine: radios that don't work at all without ignition) and some of them can use the changer input as aux-in!

[longman]

One of these? or this

[Rich]

Jan 16, 2021 11:55:18 GMT outrage said:

Older Sonys like the CDX 5042 would fit like a glove design-wise, but I never encountered one with a working CD player, they all showed the famous "Err-04".
So I'd suggest Grundig, like the SCD 1910, SCD 5392, SCD 3390 or the Challenge 600. They are rock solid, can be set to work without ignition on (a pet peeve of mine: radios that don't work at all without ignition) and some of them can use the changer input as aux-in!

I’ll look into those and have a see. I’d ideally go with cassette if I can.

[Rich]

Jan 16, 2021 12:28:01 GMT longman said:

One of these? or this

The orange one matches the dash and the design is simple and old inspired but something is putting me off for this car and I can’t put my finger on what exactly. :/ they are cheaper than I expected though!

[ChasR]

It's a bit of cash and a Single DIN. But Blaunpunkt do a great retro-looking player now, which does Bluetooth and DAB.

[longman]

Jan 17, 2021 9:28:37 GMT ChasR said:

It's a bit of cash and a Single DIN. But Blaunpunkt do a great retro-looking player now, which does Bluetooth and DAB.

I've got one of those in the SL, certainly not worth the money.. I had a VDO like I posted above in the 911 , should have got another one as it worked fine for what it cost..

[Rich]

Jan 17, 2021 9:28:37 GMT ChasR said:

It's a bit of cash and a Single DIN. But Blaunpunkt do a great retro-looking player now, which does Bluetooth and DAB.

Looking at it it’s a little too retro if I’m honest. Would look lovely in a Mk2 or Mk1 golf or a BMW but I don’t think it’s gonna suit the 121. And yea, without looking at prices I know that’s over budget.

[ChasR]

The VDO certainly looks like better value longman. Can you change the colour on it? It does seem DAB adds on a chunk of money onto most headunits.

I guess the competition of the Blaupunkt make the price justifiable in Blaupunkt's eyes, including

-RetroSound's efforts ; The San Diego I fitted into the Merc was £300
-Caliber ; That's £180, and TBH it looks cheap to me. I saw one in a Jensen the other day, and I could not believe how thick the front face was! It makes it look ungainly in some cars, like said Interceptor
-Becker's Mexico Pro ; These are very special but they had to be for what they cost. As Becker is no more, well, as an aftermarket headunit manufacturer, they are now £3k+ when I last checked. I've had Beckers before and they are superb headunits; Great build, sound, and look. They seem to be on the rise in value, as they are no longer made (Samsung bought them out), and people want the OEM look. IIRC I sold one like Ray Singh's for £150 2 to 3 years ago. I did like the look of it.



I've had the Chinese £20 headunit. They sound OK for making sound, but that is about it. If you try to use amps with them, they fall apart. It seems the circuits are not designed to work with external amplifiers or the necessary noise and protection circuits are not present.

People will judge me for the £20 HU , as in what did I expect. But it offered to me by a friend as an interim choice to replace my Alpine in the Merc.

[longman]

No change on colour on the VDO , either blue VDO or Orange Continental, the Blaupunkt goes more or less any colour you want , getting the DAB to work was such a faff I now just use fm or stream radio from my phone .. looks good though 🙄