unseen Posted February 11, 2006 Report Posted February 11, 2006 First off ** Newbie (to the board) Warning!! ** I've been reading this forum with interest (since I found it!) and now I'm stuck so I'm afraid I need your help! (please!!!) As the topic says I've got a 54 Alhambra 130 SE TDi which came fitted with a Seat LICEO h/u.. Now apart from the manual which came with it I can't seem to find any information ANYWHERE! even google turns a damn blank :lol: What I would like to do is either add a cd-changer (and not pay Seat prices!) or add a connection for my late xmas/early birthday pressie iPod. I've asked my local dealer who recommended trying a local Car Audio as (I quote) "We charge too much for them!" :o So I tried Car Audio Centre, nice poeple.. told them the car and the headunit and the answer was (very honest mind!) "Never heard of it sorry" at which point he suggested a couple of aftermarket Kenwoods or Alpines. Now if I go the aftermarket route, will i lose anything from the current stock setup? (of the top of my head) could I turn the h/u on without the key and would it still auto-powerdown or is that a stock feature only? Really sorry if I'm being too vague (I should really know by now never to research and post on forums past 1am!) but any enlightenment you can send my way i would really appreciate as I can't believe NO-ONE outside of seat has heard of my h/u?!?! Many Thanks Rob Quote
El Dingo Posted February 11, 2006 Report Posted February 11, 2006 I agree with the Car Audio Centre - go for an aftermarket unit. In my old Audi I changed the dealer fit Sony with a Kenwood Rad/cass and changer for less than the price of a Sony CD player, and the sound quality was better. However, why not just change the head unit for an MP3/CD single slot? An MP3 disc can hold up to 11 or 12 albums worth. All the major brands do an MP3 unit now - I had an Alpine in a Seat Leon and this was great (if a little 'bright' sounding for my taste). You won't lose power on/off functions if the new unit is wired in properly (ignition sense). But you might need a 'conversion' loom from Ford/ISO to ISO/brand specific connectors, and you'll almost certainly need an aerial ampifier (both standard parts from 'Autoleads' that you can buy in any good Car Audio Centre). EDIT - one typo, and just to say hello and welcome. The Seat head unit in my Leon was an Aura (made by Grundig) and really was rubbish. Quote
Guest vr6galaxy Posted February 11, 2006 Report Posted February 11, 2006 Does the OE head unit have the capability to drive a cd changer? if not you have a couple of options, replace the unit with a new set up inc cd changer or fit a cd changer that run via a FM modulator and a remote control try here for an idea of whats available and then shop around Quote
unseen Posted February 11, 2006 Author Report Posted February 11, 2006 Thanks for the welcome (I'll take off the flame proof suit now :lol: ) In reply (no particular order)Does the OE head unit have the capeability to drive a cd changer? It does.. But apprently only if you buy a Seat changer unit.. No one (Autoleads or CD2?) seem to do an adaptor specifically for the Liceo (Which i find bizarre!) I agree with the Car Audio Centre - go for an aftermarket unit. In my old Audi I changed the dealer fit Sony with a Kenwood Rad/cass and changer for less than the price of a Sony CD player, and the sound quality was better. However, why not just change the head unit for an MP3/CD single slot? This is the option I'm looking at now.. Just been in to have a butchers at whats around.. They suggested an Alpine 9847, a Pioneer 5800 and there were 2 Kenwoods but they didn't have any of the iPod connection packs for the kenwoods in stock :o What I have since found out is that apart from the aerial amplifier connection I don't need any other adaptors as it's already an ISO connection (like current Audi's they said) Can anyone confirm that? Anyway thanks for the help so far! Rob Quote
Guest vr6galaxy Posted February 11, 2006 Report Posted February 11, 2006 you mean this one? http://www.lowcostcaraudio.co.uk/images/products/full/1035.jpg Quote
Guest vr6galaxy Posted February 11, 2006 Report Posted February 11, 2006 or this one http://www.lowcostcaraudio.co.uk/images/products/full/1867.jpg Quote
unseen Posted February 11, 2006 Author Report Posted February 11, 2006 Yup them are the two.. (and a little cheaper too.. can I wait for it to be posted???? argh!!!) :o Going to do some ringing round now.. Any opinions on either of them? Only comment they made in the shop was the Alpine was faster accessing the iPod..Now tbh as long as it plays em I'm not that bothered! I don't know why but I'm wondering why they didn't seem to be pushing the Kenwoods even tho they're listed here as on offer and to my untrained eye I they seemed just as good.. The only thing I want (if i'm after toys!) would be a remote of some shape or form (I don't have the steering wheel controls :lol: ) Quote
bigdaddy Posted February 11, 2006 Report Posted February 11, 2006 If the upgrade to a new H/U is for your ipod ,,,,,, then you can buy a cassette tape with a wire,,,,,one end for the ipod, and one end goes in the cassette player,,,,,not fancy but cheap,,,,,,, Quote
Rallim Posted February 11, 2006 Report Posted February 11, 2006 I had to use a converter when I replaced the factory fit Blaupunkt in my Sharan with a Blaupunkt MP3 head unit. Gordon. Quote
unseen Posted February 12, 2006 Author Report Posted February 12, 2006 Well I couldn't resist temptation!!! Went for the Pioneer.. Was going to go back the shop I saw it at first but thought no lets have a drive and look.. 1st place i went to matched the web pricing I'd found! Saved 40quid BONUS!! And the difference in quality?!?! OMG.. Ok I've changed ford heads for sony's in the past and been slightly impressed.. but this pioneer on the bammers OE speakers.. Bliss! Do I have any gripes?? Fraid so ;) Unlike the OE the headunit is no longer flush with the main console (ok ok it's aethetic (or however you spell it!)) not a big thing.. and I'm sure I'll get used to it unless I can think of a way to sink it a little I'm going to look tomorrow). And I didn't buy the damn amplified aerial adaptor!.. Chap in the shop was sure it didn't need it.. It does! :) Picks up a good number of stations, but misses out some not so far away ones which is a little annoying! So far I'd recommend the Pioneer to anyone (I'll let you know how easy it is with the iPod connection when I sort that out next!) ** Word of warning!!!! ** DO NOT LET THE MISSUS PLAY WITH THE ILLUMINATION CONTROL! The bloody thing is now going thru it's entire range of colors all the bloody time! ;) When I can find a quiet moment to hide somewhere (and try not to knock the ol' male pride I'll read the manual properly and fix it! :) ) Rob... Quote
El Dingo Posted February 12, 2006 Report Posted February 12, 2006 Cool! Which model? Post a link? Quote
unseen Posted February 14, 2006 Author Report Posted February 14, 2006 Pioneer 5800 Thats the one I went for.. Even has a remote control.. (just got to hide it from the kids!! :( ) STILL haven't sussed how the missus put it into bloody rainbos colour change mode.. But I WILL read the manual tomorrow! LOL!!! Like I said tho the only gripe is how proud it stands from the centre console.. But I think I'm getting used to it.. So far so good.. And was bloody joyous just dumping a couple of mp3 folders to a cd!! not having to wait for nero or whatever to convert them back to audio tracks! :( Happy Bunny with lots of music again now! Rob Quote
El Dingo Posted February 14, 2006 Report Posted February 14, 2006 Looks good - good price too. :lol: Quote
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