Retro Stereos

[Bigbear]

Hi everyone, il be getting my bus back from the paint shop soon, one of the first jobs to do is sort out the stereo. However I'm not sure what to go for, I don't really want anything new and modern ruining the look of the cab so I want to go for something retro looking, but capable of CDs and iPods. What has everyone got in there's? Any photos would be good, and any links much appreciated.

Brett.

 

[StuF]

I have an authentic (non working) headunit in the dash with an alpine ipod/bluetooth headunit fitted inside the glovebox!

Best of both worlds

 

[krusty]

Ive just had my 1970 grundig car radio re built to run a brand new sony head unit which is hidden under a seat, it plays ipod through a usb lead, has digital radio and chucks out plenty of power, and the best bit it still looks original.
This is the guys website http://www.tadpoleradios.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Whistler]

Hi Krusty, do you mind sharing what sorta price range that was? I pick up my Dorothy in a few hours and the radio/sounds is something that is my domain :lol: Sounds exactly what I want. All the new headunits are fugly so I was thinking of getting something retro and then having it converted to play a generic MP3 player and have DAB.

@ OP, my girlfriend found this webiste http://www.retroretreat.co.uk/index.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

@ Krusty, nvm, saw the prices on the website :shock:

 

[rpp123456]

I've got one of these Brett. There is a guy in the states selling refurbed ones (like new) with warranty for about £120 incl postage compared to £220 over here. They are the older model but give you modern options ie pre outs, aux back and front, etc. well pleased with mine and dont look out of place and don't need and drilling etc. Just need to watch out for import duty on top though but from memory was approx £10.

http://bit.ly/TzyhjQ

 

[terrier man]

These look pretty good & decent output if you need a CD head unit.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Classic-Car-Retro-Style-Black-Car-CD-Player-with-AM-FM-USB-SD-Aux-In-/380500332600?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item5897965038" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Should fit in the dash hole OK. Thinking of one for myself but don't carry CD'S never really got out of vinyl. :lol:

 

[NoPower-NoResp]

I keep thinking that if an amp supported Bluetooth music streaming then that could be tucked away and you just use your phone. I've not found one yet, which surprises me.

Sent from my XT910 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Bigbear]

Terrier man, these radios are what I was thinking of going with quite fairly priced as well I think, anyone else on here got one or recommend them?

 

[terrier man]

Terrier man, these radios are what I was thinking of going with quite fairly priced as well I think, anyone else on here got one or recommend them?

To be honest I don't really know, but they look pretty good & there's a cheaper version with less output, might go for one myself, then I got the problem where to mount the speakers. :roll: :lol:

 

[Stevenhewkin91]

i converted my original sapphire radio to take a aux in lead! it was fairly simple just needed to wire in a couple of resistiors and a capacitor and had to remove the tuning knob to be able to place the aux in lead their.

 

[gvee]

I keep thinking that if an amp supported Bluetooth music streaming then that could be tucked away and you just use your phone. I've not found one yet, which surprises me.

You need one of these mate: http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/logitech-wireless-bluetooth-speaker-adapter-11358345-pdt.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Bought one for home and it's a great bit of kit. Just plug it in to a set of speakers, connect your Bluetooth device (only downside is that it doesn't auto connect. It remembers the pairing but you have to chose it again on my phone), and voila, wireless audio!

Can't see a reason it wouldn't work in a bus if you gave it the correct power.

EDIT: Found this one that runs off USB, so should be even easier in your bus for power: http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/sandstrom-bluetooth-audio-receiver-10683354-pdt.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[EarlyBay Bill]

Ive just had my 1970 grundig car radio re built to run a brand new sony head unit which is hidden under a seat, it plays ipod through a usb lead, has digital radio and chucks out plenty of power, and the best bit it still looks original.
This is the guys website http://www.tadpoleradios.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The guy behind Tadpole is a personal friend of mine so I can vouch for him.

 

[Mark66]

All, not the biggest banging sound but how loud can you go in a campsite. Wanted to move my sound outside with me so put my boom box blue tooth speaker run off my i phone in the back of my original Decca radio. Gives a good sound and lasts the night. Looks good in woody

http://i1323.photobucket.com/albums/u586/66mark/woody/963ed57bb0db8b736046db1962d776c0_zps7e92cc99.jpg[/

[img]http://i1323.photobucket.com/albums/u586/66mark/woody/02aba03f64e59294b6dc1081a27ebecf_zps269f03b3.jpg

 

[NoPower-NoResp]

Loving your decca Mark!
@gvee - thanks for the links, I'm sure they'd do the trick, but still surprised the car amps don't have it built in. Perhaps they want to make sure they can still sell you their head units too :evil:

Sent from my XT910 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Mark66]

Looks are not everything and i could do with a bit of a bigger sound so watching this thread with interest. , its a small boom box and probably a temp fix.

 

[magui]

Sorry to hijack this a bit but perhaps it might apply to others too...

So i got an old beetle radio and hooked up a mini-jack for my phone. Works great.

However the radio is mono and goes to the one speaker in the dash. Guess what, id like a bit more sound. Are there any ways of doing this, ie adding a amp to go to stereo sound ?

 

[lard]

I just installed a head unit in the glovebox and blanked off the stereo - then mounted my ipad in the cab (which I can then remove - currently planning a removable mount system)

Previously I had a car pc build running sat nav e.t.c. - this retained the stereo and mounted a small touchscreen monitor in the ashtray:

But best of both worlds would be a retro stereo, stripped out with a phidgets board that sent signals back to the car pc (so volume controlled volume, a key would be satnav, another MP3 e.t.c.) - with a pop-up monitor in the dash (like the audi ones) - that way you get retro and tech (a great combination!)