McIntosh stereo question

[J A Blazer]

I am considering a 2001-2004 VDC OBW. These came equipped with a McIntosh stereo that is supposed to be a step above the OE stereo. Can someone articulate for me the relative contribution of the McIntosh head unit vs. the additional higher quality speakers and subwoofer? Reason I ask is that I might consider replacing the HU with one of the newer Pioneer double-din head units with nav. TIA.

[idosubaru]

If you scroll to the bottom of this webpage right now you'll see "Similar threads" listed that are about the McIntosh stereo, probably be some good info in there for you.

 

I have an 02 VDC OBW. There's a couple threads and reads about the McIntosh system here, online and probably at cars101.com. From a wiring point of view it was plug and play to remove it and install an in-dash 6 dish changer from a WRX. Since it's interchangeable like all the other subaru stereo's since the mid-90's should be simple to do whatever you want.

 

It's supposed to be optimized for the vehicle, mine sounds great with just the WRX stereo so I'm confident you'll be pleased with any other stereo you install in it as well.

 

I'm not sure whether the WRX stereo is getting pushed through the amp in the same way and all, I assume it is since it was plug and play, but I didn't worry much about it since it's sounds great to my untrained ears.

[Fairtax4me]

That McIntosh unit could bring some money on Ebay. Kinda hard to believe but there are people out there willing to pay hundreds for those things.

[Scoobywagon]

There are really no differences internally between the MacIntosh unit and just about any other Subaru stereo from the same block of years. MacIntosh is owned by Clarion who has historically provided the vast majority of OEM Subaru stereos. You can usually retain the factory amp and sub with the proper harness (PN: SWH-924 from AI, 70-8901 from Metra). Shouldn't be a big deal to do, even if you're doing it on your own.

[bobwires]

There are really no differences internally between the MacIntosh unit and just about any other Subaru stereo from the same block of years. MacIntosh is owned by Clarion who has historically provided the vast majority of OEM Subaru stereos. You can usually retain the factory amp and sub with the proper harness (PN: SWH-924 from AI, 70-8901 from Metra). Shouldn't be a big deal to do, even if you're doing it on your own.

 

except metra doesn't make an integration or a bypass harness for the amp. the signal goes from the deck to the amp via a din cable. I just chopped off the speakers wires and ran a snake from the deck's high-level outputs to the speaker wires under the seat.