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View Full Version : General RetroSound 2 install and feedback?



Jedidentist
11-27-2014, 04:54 PM
Howdy Everyone!

My birthday present to myself is beautiful #6369 from DMC Florida. Unfortunately, it's going to be living there for the next few months before I bring it up to New England...it's going to be a long few months. Anyway, it has a little work to do, but not much and I've already started shopping for my first upgrade...a new stereo system. I installed one years ago in my 350z, so I already have an idea of what I want speaker-wise, but the tricky part is the head unit. This car is going to be a summer daily driver for me, which includes a 45 minute commute to work. XM radio and Bluetooth are a must, so the Craig isn't going to cut it. There are several Pioneer and Alpine units that fit the bill, but stand out like a sore thumb in this car. Even before venturing here, I heard about the Retrosound units. Since there aren't too many other options that look appropriate for the era, this might be the way I go, even though I'm not happy about having a separate XM Radio receiver and I worry about the sound quality. I've read several posts by members here that have the first version of it, with very mixed reviews, but I haven't heard about the second version. Does anyone have the newer, 2nd version? How's it holding up? Any other suggestions on head units?

acaciolo
11-27-2014, 06:24 PM
When I researched these, I found a lot of really bad reviews on reliability. I ended up finding a new jvc kameleon. pretty cool because you can have the full screen display any image. dmc logo. even a picture of the old craig unit. I found one on ebay for 300. HD radio and xm capability, but you need external modules. works perfectly with iphone 6 also.

http://www.amazon.com/JVC-KD-AVX77-Proximity-Touchscreen-Bluetooth/dp/B001PLEHQG

Jedidentist
11-27-2014, 07:43 PM
Now that's a very interesting option! Too bad it didn't have a little more power to the speakers...how does it sound? I had a nice amp in my Z to run my fronts and sub, and let the HU just power my rears. Do you have a pic of it in your car?

acaciolo
11-27-2014, 08:45 PM
I used external amps. way overkill, but this system is one of the best sounding I've ever heard. focal components in the front (tweeters in dash and 6" in pods in kick panel) 8" sundown sub in cubby.

here are some pics of the amp rack. I'll take some of the head unit tomorrow

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?10255-new-stereo-almost-done-here-is-a-teaser

rileydawgg
11-27-2014, 09:19 PM
I've had the retrosound in another car. It died a week after the 90 day warranty ran out. Don't bother.

Jedidentist
11-28-2014, 06:26 PM
Alright, so I'm sold on not getting a RetroSound head unit...time to find an alternative :/

Jonathan
11-28-2014, 06:46 PM
Alright, so I'm sold on not getting a RetroSound head unit...time to find an alternative :/

I have an Alpine unit and have been happy with it. If you can get past the part you mentioned about it looking modern or sticking out, you can get all the other things you mentioned as being important rather easily (XM, Bluetooth, CD, iPod, etc.). That goes for any manufacturer of course, not just Alpine.


https://vimeo.com/69472641