Foreign head-units

[rayray086]

Hey guys.

I've been browsing around head-units lately. For me, looks is a pretty big factor when it comes to my interior and so I have been poking around the Sony website a lot. After some thorough searching through it and some Aussie-based shops, I realised that the Australian Xplod market for head-units is different to that in America. We have units that they don't have, and vice versa. That said, these two from the American market caught my eye - the CDX-GT610UI and CDX-GT81UW.

Now, why the different products? Would an American product be compatible here? I can't see why not as wiring would be exactly the same, but I'd just like to make sure with the Sound experts here. I've made an email out to Sony but I'm not having my hopes up for a reply.

[rayray086]

CDX-GT610UI


CDX-GT81UW


I prefer the first over the second in terms of look (I prefer a stock-look everytime) but the second has better functionality without costing too much extra. I hate having to choose between two

Edit: By the way, eBay has them at around $125-$175USD + $70USD shipping, which works out to be a very good price IMO.

[rayray086]

While I'm on the topic of foreign head-units, have you guys heard of Nakamichi? Quite a few Vortex members say one of their units are a perfect match for the Mk3 interior so I had a look at their website. They look very retro-cool and classy, but have heard they are $$$. Most probably not worth the trouble, but interesting nonetheless.

[SoVeReIgN]

While I'm on the topic of foreign head-units, have you guys heard of Nakamichi? Quite a few Vortex members say one of their units are a perfect match for the Mk3 interior so I had a look at their website. They look very retro-cool and classy, but have heard they are $$$. Most probably not worth the trouble, but interesting nonetheless.

They make arguably the best sounding Headunits in the world.

Sounds yumcha but they have been around forever and highly respected by Car audio guys.


Only problem with US headunits are you warranty means ****all and the radio frequencies will be slightly out. (eg. For AM, US headunits only tune in 5mhz intervals, Aussie channels are in 3mhz intervals - So your 702 becomes 700 and gets some static.)

[rayray086]

I'm not too fussed about the radio. Warranty however...

[BlackVr6ix]

its a sony, you will be taking it back for warranty. They aren't what they used to be.

IMHO their current car audio range sucks.

[The_Hawk]

(eg. For AM, US headunits only tune in 5mhz intervals, Aussie channels are in 3mhz intervals - So your 702 becomes 700 and gets some static.)

AM? Whats that?

I have always been a fan of Pioneer, which is what I have in my car.

But as has been said, I do like something that matches the interior of the car. In the Mk1 it didn't matter so much, in the VR6 the unit I swapped in doesn't look at home.

One unit I did have that I very much liked was a JVC Chameleon, very flat, very black..... very nice

http://images.google.com.au/imgres?i...icial%26sa%3DN

It doesn't have a removable face, but it is completely black when off.

Don't know that they make them anymore since I got mine in 2001, should have pulled it out of the car before selling, but it was just all to much effort at the time.

[ScienceVR6]

The reason we have diferant range of sony stuff, is simple. We are the dumping ground for there leftover stuff. Sony australia is giving up on car audio. We have a heap of stock left, but we wont be getting any of he new stuff.

[Soundofav6]

Hey Ray... Are you getting this for yourself? but your clarion is NICE!!! way supperior than sony "claimed by the lebanese sells that sold me the clarion".. But Nakamichi rein supreme. I would compare that to B&O level.

Anyhow, I have a friend who worked in JB, he claims that he has delt with cases of loose button and stuff on a sony, and the buttons on the display fades after a while, my point the sony reputaion and quality has droped. Hope I can convince you in getting another clarion/ stay/ perhaps higher. have you considered Alpine?

[rayray086]

Louis: This is in consideration when I get a VR6 I'm selling the GL with the Clarion. I've checked the current Clarion range and I don't really like what I'm seeing. Alpine I haven't checked out before, but it seems like all their head-units look the same and while they're cool, it's not my style and I don't think any of them have a front USB input.

Hawk: That JVC one looks pretty cool! Sorta reminds me of their big one with the colour screen in the middle?

Science & BlackVR6ix: In that case, would the quality of the American units be better than the Australian ones then?