Replacing radio

[NerfYou]

I've finally had it with the factory head unit refusing to randomly read CDs I've made and I'm looking into replacing the receiver in my 07 Yaris and just using USB memory sticks for music. Other than looking at stats, I really don't know much about them. I've been looking on this Alpine unit on Crutchfield and think it would do OK for me. I can't imagine it being worse than a factory radio, and it looks to be a decent unit with decent reviews. Basically I'm just asking if this is a good option or not. Any input would be appreciated.

If it matters this is what my Yaris looks like.

[UberSilver]

I put a pioneer DEH-X5500HD in my Yaris @ a cost of $110. It sounds great, has USB, buttons for radio presets, HD radio and built in basic digital crossover.

I use a 500 gb HD full of WAV files, but it does have Ipod control built in.


http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...FcN_QgodYncATQ

[Astroman]

Found the same unit with free shipping for $20 less from amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Alpine-Cde-134...pine+CDE-134HD

It looks like a good unit. I got a $159 pioneer that was a holiday pack (with speakers) on clearance for $80. All I needed was the ability to play all types of CDs, USB port, and bluetooth. This fit the bill, and the budget as my OEM unit did the same thing and got REAL finicky about playing CDs, and the AUX port crapped out, and our radio stations suck ass.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by Astroman

Found the same unit with free shipping for $20 less from amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Alpine-Cde-134...pine+CDE-134HD

It looks like a good unit. I got a $159 pioneer that was a holiday pack (with speakers) on clearance for $80. All I needed was the ability to play all types of CDs, USB port, and bluetooth. This fit the bill, and the budget as my OEM unit did the same thing and got REAL finicky about playing CDs, and the AUX port crapped out, and our radio stations suck ass.

And with Best Buy now matching the price of any of 19 (?) companies (with Amazon being one of them) one would be able to get the deck immediately (if Best Buy carries it and has it in stock). Is ' applying sales tax or not to the order' still a state by state issue re Amazon ?

[Astroman]

It is with amazon, if the seller does business/has a location in your state. I order a lot of stuff for my computer biz and for personal use from amazon. The deck I found is from a independent seller, so if you and the seller are not from the same state, there would be no sales tax.

Amazon is based out of my home state, so I get dinged with sales tax for everything I get from amazon. Which reminds me, I need to get my reseller certificate so they'll stop (for business purchases for resale.)

Great idea with best buy!

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by Astroman

It is with amazon, if the seller does business/has a location in your state. I order a lot of stuff for my computer biz and for personal use from amazon. The deck I found is from a independent seller, so if you and the seller are not from the same state, there would be no sales tax.

Amazon is based out of my home state, so I get dinged with sales tax for everything I get from amazon. Which reminds me, I need to get my reseller certificate so they'll stop (for business purchases for resale.)

Great idea with best buy!

Thanks. And thanks for clarifying re Amazon. I know there was a bit of a brouhaha about it here, and (IIRC) because Amazon has warehouse, distrubution center, etc. presence in Texas, we have to pay sales tax. I haven't tested this yet (haven't ordered anything from Amazon in the interim). Fry's started matching internet prices way before Best Buy did, but of course Fry's has far, far fewer physical locations than Best Buy does. IIRC, Fry's started their Internet price matching (signs on the side of the stores with the highest visibility) soon after the Amazon/Texas Sales Tax brouhaha.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by UberSilver

I use a 500 gb HD full of WAV files

Do you think a 2 TB HD full of WAV files would also work?

[UberSilver]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

Do you think a 2 TB HD full of WAV files would also work?

I read somewhere that 500 was the limit, but that was for my PRS99 and 80.

This unit is a few of years newer, so it may accept 2tb. If it will read 2tb, it maybe very slow to get started.

I keep looking for a 256gb SSD for under $100. but they seem to be holding around $140. forever!

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by UberSilver

I read somewhere that 500 was the limit, but that was for my PRS99 and 80.

This unit is a few of years newer, so it may accept 2tb. If it will read 2tb, it maybe very slow to get started.

I keep looking for a 256gb SSD for under $100. but they seem to be holding around $140. forever!

Thank you.

[2005vitzRS]

Just bought myself a Pioneer MVH-355BT from JB HIFI here in New Zealand:

Its pretty similar to your DEH-X5500HD. But its on the lower end.



Installing it over the weekend. Can't wait to try out the bluetooth streaming.

[enviri]

Originally Posted by UberSilver

I use a 500 gb HD full of WAV files, but it does have Ipod control built in.

are you THAT anal about the quality to not use flac/aac?

[UberSilver]

Originally Posted by enviri

are you THAT anal about the quality to not use flac/aac?

256k AAC would work, but the low end Pioneer HU don't do AAC.

I converted to the Mac platform in 91, so all of my music is in AAC or AIFF. When I bought the low end HU, I made copies of the AIFF file to WAV.

[2005vitzRS]

OK here some photos of the install.

1) The new Toyota to ISO to Pioneer wiring harness I used. Connector on the top right is for the rear speakers, currently unused.



2) The new Pioneer MVH-355BT plugged into the new wiring harness with antenna and microphone plugged in.



3) New microphone. It stayed stuck for only one day with the supplied 2 way tape. It came loose while driving. I ended up buying some automotive double sided tape and it has not come loose since. Cross fingers!



4) All done. Its a pitty I can't change the colour on this headunit.



Installation was really simple and should be pretty similar for Yaris/echo. Mine is a Vitz RS and for some strange reason it does not have rear speakers. It does not even have the rear speaker plugs in the dash so I will have to wire some new wires through into the back.

The RS does not come with a rear luggage tray either so not really sure yet what to do. I will probably end up just putting the 6x9's into some portable boxes in the boot.

[NerfYou]

Astroman: The main reason I was going to go through Crutchfield is for the mounting hardware /adapters they give you. Is there a cheaper way to get that than through Crutchfield?

[UberSilver]

Originally Posted by NerfYou

Astroman: The main reason I was going to go through Crutchfield is for the mounting hardware /adapters they give you. Is there a cheaper way to get that than through Crutchfield?

The mounting kits run about $10 off amazon. Just so you know, the Pioneer is a better HU for less money.

The last Alpine I had that sounded half decent was about 10 years ago.

Alpine = hammered Sh*t.

They do look better(pretty much always have), but SQ is only in there flagship models.

[Ryze268]

2 TB might be a bit to much for it to read

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by Ryze268

2 TB might be a bit to much for it to read

Thhanks.

[japle]

Now this thread is mentioned, where can i get the cover for the radio? Imean i have the oem radio that sits flush with the air vents and such, but i want to upgrade my player, but the whole thing is a single unit, is there a replacement cover for aftermarkets like the picture above?