94 E320 CD upgrade

[edge]

I just bought this car which has the E2 package which includes a high performance sound system. I want to upgrade the head unit to a Single CD/MP3 player. Should I get a Tuner/CD/MP3 player and use the existing car amplifier or should I get a amplified reciever unit? Thanks for your help and suggestions.

[Holson Adi]

I've been wondering about the same thing too. My E420 supposedly has Bose sound system. It really does sound pretty good I think. It's not too clear but the mids are nice and strong! Good for soft music and classical stuff so I'm not complaining.

But... Chris (michakaveli) upgraded his stock radio on his 96 E300 and his sound system was amazing!

BTW, have you a CD-Changer?

The only MP3 headunit that wouldn't look weird in a W124 would probably be the Alpines. Somehow I like Pioneers and I think they have a nice clean look when switched off. It's when they are on that they look bright! ;

[wjm]

I just put an alpine in with the blue buttons (9815). I think it looks great. I was concerned as well.

[edge]

No, I don't have a CD changer. After having a ML320 with the trunk changer, I do not want the inconvenience of that layout. I would prefer the single disc or a in dash changer. The unit sounds good but I need the CD. Why can't anyone make a simple black CD player that sounds good without all the colors and jazz?

[Holson Adi]

Check these out:
Nakamichi CD-45Z - my favorite. However it's hard to find the amber illuminated one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3033344206&category=3293

new Nakamichi CD-400
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3033418901&category=3293

the CD400 has amber illumination but somehow it doesn't look as classy as its CD-45Z predecessor.

This one's also nice
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3033212699&category=3288

MB Audio 10. If you want to hook up a cd-changer it'd have to be the fiber optic changer though

[sixto]

The Becker MP3000 and San Jose look okay. Mostly black.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

[edge]

The other issue is that I would like the CD to also play MP3's. I understand that at this time Nakamichi's do not play MP3's as of yet. Do the Beckers?

[sixto]

I'm such an idiot. The two models I named are Blaupunkts, not Beckers, and they're silver, not black. The Phoenix is black and plays MP3s.

The Panasonic CQ-DF583U is a nice dark metallic gray. The MXE CQ-HX1083U has a touchscreen face that goes completely black when not in use. What moron named Panasonic products?

The JVC KD-SX990 has a somewhat dark face but the buttons look busy.

The Clarion DXZ635MP has a black face but blue illumination.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

[edge]

Holson, the Nak's have the look I prefer, and the new model is cheaper than the old one. Do you know if they are an easy install?

[Holson Adi]

Originally posted by edge
Holson, the Nak's have the look I prefer, and the new model is cheaper than the old one. Do you know if they are an easy install?

I've been wondering the same too. I wonder if it's as easy as hooking the line-outputs of the Nakamichi to the line-inputs of the Bose *I think* amplifier...

I think there is a harness available that you could connect to the built-in ISO connector so you don't have to cut anything.

[sixto]

Check the parts forum archives. Within the last 2-3 months someone sold a Nak system that was installed in a W124. Seems to know the system and installation from soup to nuts.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

[wjm]

If you have a radio with this connector:

http://www.beckerautosound.com/1492.html

Then you can call Becker and ask for an "M Class" connector. The M Class connector will plug right into your car's DIN-ISO connector.

For my application, I soldered the wires between that and the Alpine harness that came with my radio. I believe I have documented the instructions on a previous post.

Regarding the amps. I bypassed them for now and will probably use an aftermarket one later. The reason why is that Mercedes used the power antenna wire to "power" the amps. Thus you would only hear sound when the unit was in "RADIO" mode.... not XM or CD/MP3 mode.

If you run an extra wire from the amps to the radio, you can easily take care of it... connect the amp power wire on the radio to the correct wire on the left amp.... which will also power the right.

[edge]

Willy, thanks for the info, greatly appreciated. Did the E420 have the upgraded E2 stereo as standard which was an option on the E320? Do you know the power of the existing amplifiers? Did you change any speakers?

[wjm]

Edge,

I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure I do. I have a copy of my original sticker and it says I have "High Perf Sound Sys * Auto Antenna". I have front speakers, door speakers and rear speakers (1 4.75" + 2 tweeters on each side).

I think the existing amps are about 25watts at most. Again, I bypassed them.

So far, I have not changed any speakers... but the fronts will be first. I will either put in the Rainbow speakers that Scott from LaJolla sells, or the Blaupunkt that someone else sells on this newsgroup... again, see a previous post of mine on this.

Also, I purchased and will be installing a Kenwood Woox (forgot the exact model number) for some base.

[edge]

Willy,

I've decided to get the Alpine CDA-9813 (you got the 9815?) for my E320. I was going to let Circuit City do the install however, if I do it myself, I can save $125 ans spend it on dash speakers. Is the install straight forward and can be done in less than 3 hours? I believe I have the same existing stereo system as you. Can you walk me through the install? Do I need to buy any wiring harness or do I have to simply jump a few wires? If it's too complicated, i'll just have Circuit City do it. Thanks for your help...edge.