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| DSC-off Member Since: 16 Oct 2014 Location: North East Posts: 1429   
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In the Hi-Fi world there is a saying, "if you start with a bad signal, you'll never turn it into a good one"
Start with the best sound possible from the head unit to get a good end result. The Landrover unit also doesn't have amplifier pre outs, not ideal for adding on amplifiers. The Alpine unit fitted as the factory upgrade, while not perfect, does have 1 pair of pre outs and a reasonable power output from the internal amp. 3 pairs of pre outs would be better if upgrading the head unit, to give more scope for further system upgrades. In your position, the head unit would be the first thing I'd replace. |
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30th May 2019 8:51pm |
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| custom90 Member Since: 21 Jan 2010 Location: South West, England. Posts: 20468
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You could always add an in-line mini amp even to the factory radio. The RMT fit Amps is an issue though unless you wanted to manually switch it or via ignition always on.
Some aftermarket HU’s do also have an increased output but you have to specifically look for one. As mentioned, no RCA output or RMT is a big pain amongst others. Better to look into an aftermarket make. Even the relatively cheap ones are pretty good considering. No Guts, No Glory. 🇬🇧🏴🏴🏴🇮🇪🇺🇸⛽️🛢️⚙️🧰💪 |
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30th May 2019 9:23pm |
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| Tribord Member Since: 20 Apr 2013 Location: France Posts: 220  
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Ah, I didn't know I couldn't connect an active sub to my unit. So looks like replacing it is necessary. I may look for a second hand Becker unit made for Porsche or Mercedes - Some are similar to the LR unit in looks, and there are plenty on eBay. I will just need to make sure they have the outputs.
I suppose the other route could be to ignore the head unit completely and get a standalone Bluetooth box with connections for speakers and active sub, and use the iPhone as the interface. Everything I would use is on that anyway - Spotify, radio, Satnav/maps. Hmm, need to think about it some more... |
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31st May 2019 6:40am |
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| MartinK Member Since: 02 Mar 2011 Location: Silverdale (Lancashire/Cumbria Border) Posts: 2665 
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I just replaced my head unit
bought last year (only just got around to fitting) from Caterham https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic63256.html?highlight=sony It was "plug and play" Sound is much improved, plus I added a Nakatenanga aerial from Brendan, and get a much better signal (very impressed with the Naka aerial - https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic65245...t=aerial). I always use the fader to put a little more to the rear speakers in my 110 which also helps. Has the added advantage that I have downloaded loads of my itunes onto a USB stick, so now have tons of music in the car if I don't want to listen to the radio. Thanks to loads of soundproofing I can even hear it at 65mph 
Cracking upgrade for minimal cash, and only took an hour to fit (incl fitting the aerial). Very happy bunny  Defender "Puma" 2.4 110 County Utility (possibly the last of the 2.4's) |
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31st May 2019 7:55am |
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| CarMan Member Since: 29 Nov 2010 Location: Cotswolds Posts: 1865
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Can a dinosaur please ask a dumb question - I have copied some iTunes songs to a USB but the my Alpine CDE-133BT head unit says 'no file' and when I remove the USB it says 'no device'.
I'm guessing it can see the USB, but the files are in the wrong format. The songs are all from cd not bought on-line, if that makes a difference. So, what do I need to do differently?  Rob
1993 200tdi 90 hard-top 1998 300tdi 90 soft-top 2016 2.2 XS 90 hard-top (sold) |
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19th Nov 2019 6:19pm |
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| DSC-off Member Since: 16 Oct 2014 Location: North East Posts: 1429
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Hi,
I had the same problem with Apple (AAC) files copied onto a stick, the Alpine would not recognise them. I now save any converted CDs in MP3 format, this works fine when playing from a stick. In i-tunes you can convert the apple files to MP3 without having to do it from the CD. This results in 2 versions iof the track/album in i-tunes. If synched, both end up on the iPod which is annoying, so I now manually manage updates, just adding 1 version. Either one will play on the IPod. Hope that helps point you in the right direction. |
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19th Nov 2019 6:42pm |
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| CarMan Member Since: 29 Nov 2010 Location: Cotswolds Posts: 1865
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That's a great help, thanks very much
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20th Nov 2019 7:12am |
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| Caterham Member Since: 06 Nov 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 6304  
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may be it's just me but back in the 80's I loved the Blaupunkt car audio kit and I've just spotted this;
https://www.blaupunkt.com/en/nc/products/c...gle/19059/ |
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14th Mar 2020 9:28pm |
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| SteveK Member Since: 21 Jan 2015 Location: Bromsgrove Posts: 333 
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I agree with DSC-off, the standard units are not very good and you need to start with a good signal/playback.
Some modern units have options to change or dim the displays, however if you wish to keep the interior appearance original, you could try: https://www.classiccarstereo.co.uk/hidden-audio/ |
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14th Mar 2020 10:51pm |
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