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Sound system upgrade
#1

I purchased the car with a real piece of squat stereo system in it. I spoke with some folks here in Atlanta who recommended I put in the Becker CDR-220 CD radio and the CDC-3 CD Changer. I read up on the radio, liked what I saw and have it coming in from LA dismantlers this week. Looks like the previous owner chopped up the radio harness too. Soo...here are the questions:



1) Has anyone already installed this setup? If so...

2) What were the problems or issues encountered?

3) Recommendations on the harness?
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#2

I recently installed the CDR-220 but not the changer. My PO had hacked the harness as well. My radio came without any cables so I picked up a set of speaker and power connectors for a Blaupunkt Skyline on eBay for 10 bucks. I also bought the audio in cable for satellite radio/ipod and the preamp out cable direct from Becker (www.beckerautosound.com). You can get all of the cables from them and simply splice them to what is left from your previous radio. The minor problem I encountered was fitting all of the stuff behind the radio. There is not much clearance and I still have some fiddling to do to be able to push the radio all the way in. Right now it sticks out about 1/16". The major problem I encountered was being able to read the display at the angle the radio is installed at. This problem was solved by purchasing a modified display from Becker. It costs $150 but they will give you $100 refund for your faceplate when you return it. Stefan at SW Stereo (www.swstereo.com) will offer the same exchange.



Becker will provide any needed support on the Becker Board at the website I listed above. The number for their parts department is also there.



The other radio you might consider is the the Traffic Pro. It is the same radio as the CDR-220 but includes navigation. There are 2 CDs for the entire US. I believe you won't need to exchange the faceplate with the Traffic Pro but that should be confirmed with Becker. They are on eBay from time to time and there are both Porsche and aftermarket versions. If you are interested I can give you the various model numbers.



Finally, if you install the CD changer you will not be able to use the Aux feature for satellite radio, ipod or whatever else. The trend these days seems to be away from CD changer and to external MP3 players.



Good luck,

Charlie
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#3

Thanks Charlie. Great information. Just got done looking at both sites and sure feel allot more comfortable with it all. Think I'll get the parts from Becker. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/happy.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />
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#4

I believe if you have a late 94 or a 95 the wiring harness should be directly compatible with the CDR220. If not, you might visit http://www.swstereo.com/. The guy who owns the shop knows just about all there is to know about Porsches and stereo systems. I believe he also has a wiring harness adapter for earlier models.
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#5

Well, I got everything connected and working on the car. I did not attempt to hook up the speed sense feature of the radio as I was unsure of where to tap in to for the signal.



What a pain this was. The PO made life hell for the day. Wires were spliced onto other wires and went all over the place from the radio to the phone to some remote and on to the original wiring. I took it all out and started fresh based upon the Factory wiring diagrams and a schematic from Nokia on the phone. Once I got it all cleaned up it was a piece of cake to wire in. The remote was for the doors and didn't work anyway. I'll reinstall that based upon what I have seen from this site and the pictures previously posted.



The original antenna required and adapter and was very easy to install but the radio itself was a bear. The opening of the car needed to be filed slightly to open it enough to take the CDR- 220 and there was a bracket welded under where the radio would slide in which was not properly welded (tabs sticking up and inward) so the radio wouldn't slide back all the way. I removed the shelf and slide the radio all the way in. Sweet!



Unfortunately, I can't read the faceplate while normally seated and will have to purchase the replacement Charlie Mink spoke of from Stefan at SWStereo. Stefan was a real help and a pleasure to speak with.



I wish I had been able to hook the phone antenna up to the original antenna (assuming it's good enough) but went back to using the PO mounted Cell phone antenna. I also wish I had hooking up the speed feature of the radio.



I am very happy with the project.
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#6

Glad you got it done. I did not hook up the speed GAL either. I think I read that it goes to a connection on the DME computer but am not certain. I may go back in and take out the shelf like you did so the radio will push in all the way. Sorry I forgot to alert you to the antenna adapter.

Take care,

Charlie
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#7

[quote name='chazmink' date='May 1 2005, 07:46 AM']Glad you got it done.  I did not hook up the speed GAL either.  I think  I read that it goes to a connection on the DME computer but am not certain.  I may go back in and take out the shelf like you did so the radio will push in all the way.  Sorry I forgot to alert you to the antenna adapter.

Take care,

Charlie

[right][post="4009"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]





Hey Charlie,



Did you pull the shelf? If you did and you find the radio still tight, leave the radio in the installed position and with the storgae cubby /clock removed, take a long flat bladed screwdriver and gently place it between the bottom of the radio and the lower visible spring retainer. Then, while applying a gentle pushing force on the same side of the radio face, slide the radio aft until it seats. You'll need to repeat for the opposite side.



Stephen
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#8

Thanks, Steve. I am off on Friday and will give that a shot.

Charlie
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