badjer Posted September 5, 2003 Share Posted September 5, 2003 Hi all, It appears the amplifier in my factory stereo unit is on the way out (absolutely no sound from the front speakers.... relatively new speakers). Whats the best approach on replacing this? Are there aftermarket units that can also operate the factory CD changer? Is finding a factory unit the best way to go? What have others done to replace the factory unit? thanks in advance! badjer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted September 5, 2003 Share Posted September 5, 2003 Here is some info that Bratcrazy found and posted in the older model board: Has anyone here sent there radio to Clarion for repairs? I found this address for the Clarion factory repair. All they want is $80, flat fee to fix your radio. At: CLARION REPAIRS 661 W. REDONDO BEACH BLVD. GARDENA, CA. 90247 Make check out to: CLARION !-800-347-8667 for service ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Not sure if you have a Clarion model or not. If it's a Panasonic or other brand you should be able to do a search and find a repair facility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted September 5, 2003 Share Posted September 5, 2003 I am also at the point where I have to change out my head unit. When you look at sizes Crutchfield's catalog says this is a double DIN unit. Mine had the CD/radio/tape player and the CD skips so badly it is pretty useless. I figure a double DIN should mean that I can just remove it, put a single DIN in and make a spacer plate for the remaining hole. I went through this with my BMW not long ago and it is just a learning curve. I could not find reliable information on the Beemer either, but now I have two amps and 14 speakers and am pretty happy with the system. Each manufactuer seems to have thier own system to drive external Cd changers, so you may be out of luck there. Has anybody put a single DIN in one of these cars? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hocrest Posted September 5, 2003 Share Posted September 5, 2003 On a label somewhere on the Head unit it should tell you who made it also look at the connector that leads to the changer. Look at aftermarket decks made by the same company, they may use the same connector and your probably good to go. What year is it? Call some local salvage yards, they generally pull the decks as soon as any late models come in. Here http://www.car-part.com is a site to search slavage yards across the country. Cookie, A salvage yard is also a great place to find one of the little bins that goes in place when you replace a Double DIN with a single. That way rather than just a blank you can have another little hole to keep stuff in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted September 5, 2003 Share Posted September 5, 2003 That is one that I will definately use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commuter Posted September 6, 2003 Share Posted September 6, 2003 I have a 97 OB. What several of us have done is to buy a slightly used Subaru OEM (Panasonic P123) Double DIN in dash 6CD changer/tape/radio unit that are used in the WRX and some of the newer Foresters. They plug right into the 95 and up second generation Legacy's and Outbacks (same connector). The WRX boys often tear these things out almost immediately and put in something better. You should be able to find them on ebay, or NASIOC (old i-club). I don't know the current going rate. Last I saw, it was around $150 to $200 US. It's not hi-end, but it does just fine for me. Plug and play, literally. Commuter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmdew Posted September 6, 2003 Share Posted September 6, 2003 I have a 2002 6 disk CD/Radio/Tape that I just pulled out of the wifes 98 OBW (she wanted just a single CD). I purchased it off of Ebay, pulled from a WRX. It works great. How's $140 shipped sound. Otherwise, I have the standard AM/FM/Tape unit from the car $60 shipped. Also in great condition. Lmdew@hotmail.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted September 7, 2003 Share Posted September 7, 2003 and thanks to Hocrest a bin, not a blocking plate. I don't have it optimised yet so I will reserve judgement. The Clarion was optimised for the car, but right out of the box the Sony tuner is not quite as good on FM and it is short of bass. I will probably fool with it for a week or so before I decide, but it seems the Clarion was not a bad unit. The Clarion CD player was very dirty, so perhaps just cleaning it would have helped the skipping but the Sony CD works great. One point should be that I was right about a double DIN being easy to replace with a single DIN unit. When folks tell you that you have to buy a special expensive double DIN they are flat wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hocrest Posted September 7, 2003 Share Posted September 7, 2003 and now you have a place to keep your gum!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted September 8, 2003 Share Posted September 8, 2003 Thanks again. By the way with rebate the Sony was $139, and the bass is already adjusted better than I had with the Clarion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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