Do I fit a CD changer or not?

STUBIE · 2nd April 2008, 20:20

Right

Retrofitted a Symphony unit in place of the original fitted IOVOX CR80 (not as bad as some would suggest) this is linked to a CD changer in the boot and this is not compatible with the SYmphony, Now I can buy a new changer but to mount it in the boot would require either running a new loom or hacking into the original loom and adding a square ended plug for the changer(current Alpine has a round connector)

OK so do I add another changer or find some other method to play CD's MP3s etc, what about a FM tranmitter tied into the Symphony. My sat nav can play MP3's so I could store them on there.. but is there another way.

Advice and guidance please

Stubs

CDTi · 2nd April 2008, 20:25

I would recommend installing one of the many head units that are Ipod compatible. I have full access to my Ipod and all 3,500 songs - including steeering control function.

biggles · 2nd April 2008, 22:52

Hi Stubs,

FM transmitters are horrible in my experience.

I used a Connects2 iPod adapter with my Symphony and got along quite well with it even though some of the claimed features didn't work. I believe Connects2 also has aux in kits if you want to connect your satnav.

BigJacko · 6th April 2008, 12:20

I recently fitted a Symphony + Alpine CD-changer to replace a Harmony (with no CD-changer). I got the whole kit - radio, loom & changer - from SMC Trading, but I think they're out of radios now, and the CD-changer was a 'recycle' (though perfect in every way).

The CD-changer goes into the glovebox - fitting was not at all hard (and there are threads with pics here and on another forum if needed) - basically just a case of removing the glovebox door and peeling back the shelf fabric, bolting the CD-unit in, and feeding the cable round from the Symphony head-unit.

OK, so you lose most of the useability of the glovebox to store things in, but it's not a big deal, really. At least, it isn't to me.

To get round the MP3 playing issue, I opted for 'cheap and cheerful' - I bought a Belkin Cassette widget from Halfords for about 15 quid - this is basically a cassette case which pops into the Symphony's tape hole, with a lead on it that'll plug into any standard MP3 player (3mm jack plug on the end). It's not elaborate or perfect - sometimes jiggling the correct MP3 track isn't the safest thing to do while driving; but I get around that by slinging it on random play. Does the job...

uk_dave&gill · 7th April 2008, 12:18

I have a Pioneer headunit, with a small LaCie hard drive in the glovebox. The headunit plays CDs (and radio of course) and the HDD holds 40gb of music. So far I've got 200 albums on it and it's not even a third full yet! (oh and the LaCie is tiny and neat, and you can put stuff on it by simple drag and drop)

2nd April 2008, 20:20	#1
STUBIE This is my second home Back in a Rover Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Peterborough Posts: 4,926 Thanks: 131 Thanked 357 Times in 261 Posts	Do I fit a CD changer or not? Right Retrofitted a Symphony unit in place of the original fitted IOVOX CR80 (not as bad as some would suggest) this is linked to a CD changer in the boot and this is not compatible with the SYmphony, Now I can buy a new changer but to mount it in the boot would require either running a new loom or hacking into the original loom and adding a square ended plug for the changer(current Alpine has a round connector) OK so do I add another changer or find some other method to play CD's MP3s etc, what about a FM tranmitter tied into the Symphony. My sat nav can play MP3's so I could store them on there.. but is there another way. Advice and guidance please Stubs

2nd April 2008, 20:25	#2
CDTi This is my second home No longer in the MGR club Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tipperary Posts: 3,933 Thanks: 35 Thanked 51 Times in 35 Posts	I would recommend installing one of the many head units that are Ipod compatible. I have full access to my Ipod and all 3,500 songs - including steeering control function. __________________ 'Tis better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.

2nd April 2008, 22:52	#3
biggles Loves to post Rover 75 2.5 V6 conn Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Linköping Posts: 414 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Stubs, FM transmitters are horrible in my experience. I used a Connects2 iPod adapter with my Symphony and got along quite well with it even though some of the claimed features didn't work. I believe Connects2 also has aux in kits if you want to connect your satnav. __________________ /Erik [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Rover 75 2.5 V6 Connoisseur

6th April 2008, 12:20	#4
BigJacko Avid contributor Rover 75 Tourer 2.0 V6 Club (2002) Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bath Posts: 236 Thanks: 47 Thanked 16 Times in 12 Posts	I recently fitted a Symphony + Alpine CD-changer to replace a Harmony (with no CD-changer). I got the whole kit - radio, loom & changer - from SMC Trading, but I think they're out of radios now, and the CD-changer was a 'recycle' (though perfect in every way). The CD-changer goes into the glovebox - fitting was not at all hard (and there are threads with pics here and on another forum if needed) - basically just a case of removing the glovebox door and peeling back the shelf fabric, bolting the CD-unit in, and feeding the cable round from the Symphony head-unit. OK, so you lose most of the useability of the glovebox to store things in, but it's not a big deal, really. At least, it isn't to me. To get round the MP3 playing issue, I opted for 'cheap and cheerful' - I bought a Belkin Cassette widget from Halfords for about 15 quid - this is basically a cassette case which pops into the Symphony's tape hole, with a lead on it that'll plug into any standard MP3 player (3mm jack plug on the end). It's not elaborate or perfect - sometimes jiggling the correct MP3 track isn't the safest thing to do while driving; but I get around that by slinging it on random play. Does the job...

7th April 2008, 12:18	#5
uk_dave&gill This is my second home .. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Town Posts: 4,166 Thanks: 1 Thanked 189 Times in 105 Posts	I have a Pioneer headunit, with a small LaCie hard drive in the glovebox. The headunit plays CDs (and radio of course) and the HDD holds 40gb of music. So far I've got 200 albums on it and it's not even a third full yet! (oh and the LaCie is tiny and neat, and you can put stuff on it by simple drag and drop)