Jacko, I have the factory Nav/ headunit as well, and I have a completely re done system running off of the head unit with no problems at all. I know alot of other CL members do as well. If you wanted to switch things around it can be done. The shops your speaking to probably just have never done it, therefore are afraid to get into something they have no clue on how to do. Talk to some more shops, start with the high end ones that do custom work. Its really not that complex of a job for a qualified stereo shop.

 

TTurbo,

I went to the really high end shops only. If Im going to do something like that I do it right. They are the ones who wont touch it. They said that they will do it but it will sound terrible (engine noise, cracks etc) and I wont be happy so theyd rather not do it unless I take out the HU. They crappy ghetto installers are happy to do it and dont make any comments about quality.
As far as switching the reg factory speakers and amp with the Nak. are they plug and play or would I have to mess around with stuff?

 

I can't believe you guys are searching around and "not finding anything." Jacko you shop sucks. Period. They don't want to work on your car so don't make them. Here are some threads, but there is a problem with the first one.

WHO IS HOSTING THE SC STEREO HACK?? The link is no longer working but maybe it changed hosts again somebody post up the info it you know it.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=43510

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=13134

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=32152

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=21078

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=13182

Search through that, get a wiring diagram, understand what needs to be done, and then you can tell the shop how to do it if you don't want to attempt it yourself.

 

it depends on how go of sound you want you will get a little better sound adding a amp and speakers depending on what you choose but if you want to really notice a difference and get great sound you should change your head unit ive gone both ways and the complete system is the way to go if your going to make a change in my 01 gs i added a complete audio video system i have a kenwood kvt 910 head unit which is a (cd,dvd,tv,satalite radio) also have the kenwood navigation for speakers i have
jl audio xr 650 componet set for the front stage and the jl audio xr 525 for rear fill powered by a jl audio 300/4 amp for bass i have a single jl audio 10w7 subwoofer firing up thru the rear deck powered by a jl audio 500/1 amp this sounds incredible

 

jewelz,

Care to expound on that?

Thanks

 

IME, replaced the stock head unit.

I started out replacing the stock speakers with MB Quart (which I still use and have NO PROBLEMS with after proper tuning for you Dyne trend followers...lol, j/k) and did a full trunk job with two amps. I had always planned on upgrading the head unit, but in an effort to save a couple grand, I decided to hold off for a month or two. The problem I ran into was that even though I was able to use an LLC, the deck had a very low output voltage. It wouldn't drive my amps well at all and the result was low volume and alot of noise. I could only take it for about a week and I HAD to upgrade the HU.

Todd

 

So still mixed reviews....

Does anyone have any good ideas for a new HU?
I have seen some examples and nothing looks as nice, clean and "classy" as the factory HU.
Just seems wrong to stick in an out-of-place HU in this beautiful dash. EMO.

Thanks for your comments!!!

 

todd-

http://www.soundoffaudio.com/item.cfm/id/1020

what if you use something like this to boost the low signal from the factory HU? Someone recommended it in another thread.

vondy21 -

www.nakamichi.com

 

Todd,

Gotta get you to listen to the Dyns one day...

Percy

 

LOL! I know Percy... I was just messing with you guys. I've listened to a couple cars with them and they sound very good, I think many of us on here have been spoiled by listening to too many really good set ups! I have a couple of friends at Quart/Rockford and they treat me too well to switch!

Pianoman, yes, you could use a line amplifier. I'm sure that Percy could help you find a very good one. The problem that I have is that I like simple. When you keep your factory head, you have to add an LLC, then you find a problem and you add a line driver (which I used an Audio Control EQL to equalize and boost signal, still not enough because the stock deck was so low on power), then you have noise and you add a ground loop isolator. I would rather put a quality deck in and call it a day...but that is just me and my opinion.

vondy, I had suggested a couple times elsewhere the Nakamichi CD45 with the MB70 6 disc in dash changer combo. This makes a 2 din unit that is black with green illumination and looks as close to stock as you're going to get. Clarion/MacIntosh have a couple units that would look good if they were black... I don't know if there is a factory option to get them black. Denon has a couple bad a$$ pieces but they are very expensive.

 

Do you have a pic of these installed?.....if it is your system of course.

I may go the factory HU route first then upgrade later. Can't hurt. Already have the amps and will need the new speakers regardless.

I have discovered my amps have speaker level inputs.... can I go directly into here without the LLC?????

Thanks!!!

 

I don't have that set up in my car. That was the original idea, but I went with something funkier...


Now I am going through another transformation, but it will take a while. I'll post some pics when it is done in a month or so. It has to be perfected.

Here is a site you can check out some Nak products on...
Nakamichi

 

I don't host the hack but I have it on my comptuer if anyone needs it pm me. Why do shops need this? My shop hooked up my head unit fine without it? Wonder if it would have helped him if I gave it to him I gave him instructions how to take the head unit out which he was thankful about.

 

I changed everything. Check my sig. I'm very happy so far.

 

My point is if the shop says that they "won't touch it" then they need all the help that they can get! If I were him I would use that stereo hack and do it myself.

Besides, the HACK is for connecting aftermarket amp to a factory HU, so you need to know what wire is what at the trunk and there is no adaptor available for that. There are adaptors for installing new headunits, thus no homework is required by the shop.

Now this thread is about new headunits but I think originally they were going to keep their factory HU and couldn't seem to find any information whatsoever on the topic. So if that's your goal go back up a few posts and click on those links I found or use the search feature.

It's a shame the SC stereo hack is no longer being hosted.