mmp

I have a 97 A4. I wanted to put a CD changer in, however apparently there were no PIE adaptors made for the 97 audi's. Now they are suggesting that I get an RF Modulator? Any opinions? The stock changer is $530 is it worth it?

Thanks!

Hokie_Audi

The Symphony stereo takes a Panasonic CD-Changer, and in that case the ~$500 ain't worth it at all, since the same changer and an adapter cable can be found for less than $300 without much effort. In your case you've got one of the older stereos that might require an Alpine changer. You could be screwed there and might have to go the OEM route to get a changer.

In that case is a 6-disc worth the $530? I still say no. You could do a headunit swap and get a matching 12 disc changer for less than $530.

mmp

Here is what I have been told and correct me if there is something that I am missing...

Required to hook up a Panasonic or Alpine changer you need a pie adaptor? They tell me that this adaptor was not made for the '97 Audi. Is this not the case?

What are the best car audio stereo brands?

Thanks!

sluggo

I don't know why, but the '96 to early '98 Alpine made CD Changers are hard to find used. Using the factory one is the only way to plug one in. You can't easily go RF Modulated either because the antenna plug is non-standard (you have to cut and splice just to hook up an after-market one, and it doesn't even sound that good).

Even to change the head unit means you have to re-wire everything because the rear circuit is amplified (you have to change the rear speakers as well), and there's the gala lead, and etc. I'm as frustrated as you...

mmp

Can't you use a panasonic changer? That's what they tried giving me, but the years were 98-2001.

Hokie_Audi

I'm not an audiophile so I'm planning on sticking to pretty mainstream stuff. I'll have a stock Symphony headunit (Double DIN) and I like the way it integrates into the car's interior, so I won't be changing that. Most likely I'll just swap out the paper speakers for some better stuff. Right now I'm thinking of Infinity Kappa components for the front speakers and Kappa multi elements for the rear powered by a Jensen Ka5 amp. That would probably run around $500 or so.

Headunits tend to be more of a personal choice than anything else. There's a number of things to consider, like what you want to be able to do, what kind of controls you like, and what you want the display to look like. A number of people here have used Blaupunkt head units. Alpines are also popular.

sluggo

no..Panasonics only work with 98.5+, my car was made 5/97