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Instead of a Gamma, the 'Alana'?
Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2003 2:47 pm
by Speedlaw
I was looking at a VW Gamma unit, but there aren't any single-disc cd players (yet). So as an alternative, I found this:
The SEAT Ibiza "Alana" radio.
I'm sure I can get it to work, but the question for me would be - "Does it have a pre-out?"
Anyone have a clue?
I'm also a bit worried about the non-detachable faceplate. Wonder if it still attracts Johnny-5-finger-discount.
Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2003 12:13 am
by toXXin
Ive got one of those...collecting dust in my garage!
Sorry mate, it doesn't have a pre-out!
It does have a detachable faceplate, you see the right hand circular button cluster (with RDS, Band, CD6 and CD on), that comes out if you press the button in the top right hand corner.
If you don't have one, I actually recommend you not to get it, I found mine to have awful sound quality and it didnt like a majority of CDR media brands, and sometimes even genuine CDs.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news!
Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2003 10:06 am
by Speedlaw
No problem,
Thanks for the heads up Tom!! Saved me some headaches there!
Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2003 11:55 pm
by toXXin
No worries mate!
Another thing to note, it would never have fitted perfectly to the car because it's curved, so the middle of the unit would stick out a little.
Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2003 10:08 am
by Speedlaw
Is it? Didn't even notice that...
If only there were single disc Gamma's. Flat, Black, and OE.
Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2003 11:18 am
by harry
speedlaw i seen a few floating around on ebay have a look on there..
Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2003 11:18 am
by toXXin
Keep looking, you'll find something.
Just one question, why are you not going for an aftermarket unit?
Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2003 11:38 am
by Speedlaw
Well I have one now, but it just looks wrong - all flashy and grey with all the colours of the rainbow... Not what I'm after.
Then, it decided to die on me and I've been without music for more than a week now.
Also, I like OE stuff - big time. Even if it's of lesser quality (as with headunits) I'm willing to sacrifice a bit of sound quality to get that smooth OE look (same as with the shift knob, the steering wheel, the mats, etc.). All I ever play are MP3's (converted to WAV, obviously) so there's no hope of winning SQL contests anyway
There's always Nakamichi to consider, but their price is in a different league too. Looks very classy though.
I could always go for a Gamma + Changer. Hmm.
Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2003 12:03 pm
by mole
I agree totally Speedy! I've still got my Beta
because it fits in so nicely, red and blue illumination to match the rest of the dash, and the thing just "goes" - and it doesn't look as tempting to "Johnny-5-finger-discount!". I will eventually upgrade to a Gamma, because at the moment I'm using hi-lo convertors for the amp and they just aint as good as pre-outs.
Anyway, Im going on a bit.... go for a gamma and a changer
Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2003 12:09 pm
by Speedlaw
Yeah that's what I was thinking Moley!
So aren't Gamma users under threat from the Klepto Crew? The newer model have detachable faceplates as an option I believe.
Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2003 10:54 am
by J-O
guy, there is a single cd player that goes with the gamme/beta...I have one...i got it 3 years ago when I got the car, it was new at that time...
it's the only pic I got....it's under the Gamma head unint
Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2003 11:08 am
by Speedlaw
Yeah good point JO. Trouble is, on the Mk4 I only have 1 single DIN shaft, so there's nowhere to put it.
Another question -
The changer that fits with the Gamma headunit, is that wired to the headunit with a dedicated (seperate) cable, or does it plug into the car's wiring loom? I would've checked myself, but I let my brother keep my CD-Rom player for the week. So no luck.
Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2003 9:17 pm
by KarlM
you could put it where the heater dials are. this is quite a common thing in ICE demo cars. but means you will have to fashion some sort of controls for your heaters (but then you'll ruin the OE look
)
Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2003 9:30 pm
by Speedlaw
Yeah that's a thought. Lot of work though. Still wondering how to wire up that changer.
Anyone have an idea?
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2003 1:44 pm
by Clawz
Well, I don't know about you, but I like my radio (Daytona MP53) it seems to go very well with the dash day and night... Has pre out and two aux ins
I put up a picture in the ICE section if I remember rightly
In relation to what you were looking at, you could always get this:
o: Auxiliary input facility to connect walkman etc. (requires lead)
o: Four channel (3.0V) preamp outputs for connecting external amplifier requires lead)
It's the cheaper alternative to most incar CD players and matches the dash with colour and lights