I'm VERY anxiously awaiting delivery of a new Becker 2340 which I will be installing in my '89 420SEL (replacing the stock 780).

As a shortwave enthusiast, I've long eyed this unit, but the price was simply prohibitive until now. (Since Becker has decided to discontinue the 2340, the street price has plumetted, and I snapped one up ASAP.)

I have a few questions for experienced and knowledgable members here:

1) Am I correct that the best way to install the new unit would be to bypass my 420's external fader and run new wires off the 2340 down to my individual speaker leads? (I'm no expert, but if I understand the setup of my current 2 channel system correctly, I think doing so will allow my to use the 2340's full 25x4 power and allow me to use the 2340's internal fader. Right )

2) Does anyone know which Becker CD changers are plug-and-play with the 2340 head unit?

3) And finally (for now ), I received an old Mercedes CD changer as part of a package deal last year on eBay. It has no manufacturer's name on the exterior (Just the MB name and logo). The model number on the rear is MX3192, and it's "Made in Japan". Since the 780 in my 420 is not CD compatible, the changer has been packed away in storage ever since; but now I'm curious about what I've got here.

Does anyone recognize this description? And, by any chance, would it pair up with the new 2340 (which, of course, IS CD capable.) I suspect the answer will be "not compatible," but I'd like to know what I've got in any case.

Thanks in advance--And, sorry so long-winded.

__________________
Eric

1991 560SEL-Euro (214,000 miles)
1989 420SEL (Retired from daily use at 325,000 miles; Use as donor vehicle)

Hi,
The changer you have is a MC3194, the MX3192 is the translator that is attached to the back of it. This setup was designed to be used with a BE1432 system. The changer itself with the translator removed will interface with the most of the Euro style Becker and Alpine factory Mercedes units. I am not familiar with the 2340. If you could send me a photo of the front and back of the unit I may be able to advise you further.
www.lajollaaudiorepair.com

Cleeve Morrison
La Jolla Audio Repair

Cleeve,

I REALLY appreciate your prompt and obviously knowledgeable response to my previous post.

I'm also very intrigued by your suggestion that this old CD Changer I've had lying around (henceforth referred to as my "MC3194") might actually be usable as more than just a fancy paperweight!

You asked for more specifics about the 2340. It's a Becker Mexico model. Since I haven't yet received the actual unit (won't arrive for a few more days), I can't provide a picture of its backside. Below is an image of its face "borrowed" from the Becker website.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The specs for the unit (also from Becker) are as follow:

TUNER
AM/FM/SW/LW, Shortwave Bands 19/22/25/31/41/49, 70 Station Presets, Auto Store (FM stations), Station Search (up/down), Station Scan (2-level, up/down), Capture Ratio 2.3uV, Impedance 150ohm, Frequency Response ( 3dB) 20-15,000Hz FM/50-3,000Hz AM, Station Search Spacing 10kHz AM/200kHz FM/5kHz SW/3kHz LW.


CASSETTE DECK
Full-Logic, Auto Reverse, Title Scan and Search, Dolby B & C, Automatic Tape Bias, Wow and Flutter 0.2%, Frequency Response ( 3dB) 30-18,000Hz, Signal/Noise Ratio with Dolby off=56dB, Dolby B=65dB, Dolby C=73dB.


AUDIO
25 Watts x 4 Maximum Internal Power, 15 Watts x 4 Continuous Internal Power, Separate Bass and Treble Memory for each Mode, Balance, Fader, 4 Channel Preamp RCA Outputs, Phone Mute, 15-level Speed Dependent Volume Control.


CD CHANGER CONTROL
Track Search, Direct Title Selection, Fast-forward/Reverse, Random Play, Elapsed Time Display, Total Time/Track Display, Track Scanning, Last-Address Memory, Track Filter, Programmable Disc Title, Frequency Response ( 1dB) 5-20,000Hz.


OTHER FEATURES
ETC - Easy-to-Control Softkey Operation, Code Protection and Removable Control Panel, Display with Contrast Selection, DIN-ISO Connection, Becker Databus, 15-level Multicolor Display, Infrared Remote Control, Multi-User Audio and Display Memory.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks again for any guidance you are willing to provide!

__________________
Eric

1991 560SEL-Euro (214,000 miles)
1989 420SEL (Retired from daily use at 325,000 miles; Use as donor vehicle)

BECKER MEXICO Model 2340:

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
Eric

1991 560SEL-Euro (214,000 miles)
1989 420SEL (Retired from daily use at 325,000 miles; Use as donor vehicle)

The 2340 arrived today. (It's REALLY gonna look great installed.)

Cleeve, you asked for a pic of the unit's backside to help determine whether the Alpine MC3194 would be compatible, so here it is...

Any help you (or any others) can provide will be GREATLY appreciated!!!

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
Eric

1991 560SEL-Euro (214,000 miles)
1989 420SEL (Retired from daily use at 325,000 miles; Use as donor vehicle)

Your factory alpine cd changer will not work with this unit. Your unit controls a becker 2660 cd changer.

Scott@lajollaaudio

__________________
The Mercedes Specialists Since 1986

Thank you Scott.

Though, before I sink hundreds more into a new Silverstone CD changer, please reconfirm that the MX3192 Becker translator attached to my existing unit (MC3194) makes no difference. (i.e. this "Mercedes" changer was originally paired with a Becker 1432--as Cleeve noted above; so I'm wondering whether it can understand enough Becker-speak to do the job...)

I fully expect you to tell me that I'm limited to the 2660 (the 10-disc 2630 too???); however I cling to a thread of hope that with some sort of adapter, the changer I've already got here might somehow be salvaged.

I appreciate how generously you guys contribute to this forum!!!

No adapter, you need the 2660 or the 10 disc no way on conversion.

Scott

__________________
The Mercedes Specialists Since 1986

hey why dont u try this site it might help u otherwise if u are intrested in selling that cd changer let me know



thanks


adapters

I just wanted to pass this experience along in case it may help someone. I have a 92 300E and wanted to put a Becker 980 Silverstone CD changer in it. I found one on Ebay and when I plugged it into the tuner in the trunk the Becker head unit recognized the changer but the loading mechanism on the changer was not working. I called Becker several times and finally got a response that they may not be able to repair these anymore because they were having problems getting a power relay for them. Even if they could repair them the cost is $250.00 including shipping for a 10 year old worn out player. I checked into the Alpine 620 changer but the Becker head unit in the 92 300e requires about $300 worth of conversion cables and data converter boxes. This was 3 times the price of the Alpine CD changer I had located. I finally went with a CD changer with an FM modulated tuner. The output plugs directly into the antenna tuner in the trunk and it works like a charm. It has a digital to analog converter so the sound is not supposed to be quite as crisp but I honestly cannot tell the difference. High quality CDs sound absolutely clean to me. The best part is the late model CD changers will play all home recorded CD-R and CD-RW and the old Becker Silverstone will not. Hope this helps someone avoid all the wasted time I spent researching the Becker system.