Opinions Wanted: CD/MP3 HU and amp

[majorlag]

Hello, all!

I'm in the market for a new HU, and I'm looking for a CD player/MP3 type unit for about $150-180. I have the stock Premium Audio cassette system (no sub). Sound quality is pretty good with a portable CD player, and I'd like to replicate that.

Also, I'm aware that I may have to bypass the stock amplifier. I'm cool with this, but wonder if I need to replace it to maintain or bypass the audio quality of the stock unit. Also, I don't have the $$ to drop in a sub now, but would like that option in the future.

Any suggestions on:

1) CD/MP3 HU (<$200)
2) Replace stock amp? If so, recommendations?

As always, thanks for the time and information!

 

[Alec]

I like Pioneer. Maybe either their 4600 or 460.

 

[expo5.0]

yeah, the 4600 would be a solid choice

 

[majorlag]

Thanks!

One more question, to maintain close to stock audio quality, do I need to replace the factory amp or just bypass it?

 

[expo5.0]

you'll be better off than stock quality with it bypassed using the more powerful amp inside your new deck

 

[majorlag]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys! I did get the Pioneer 4600MP, and am very pleased with it. The Pioneer amp power wire properly operates my stock amp, so I ended up not even having to pull the panel and bypass it! Installation was a snap, after I got the crappy DIN removal tools to partially work. That's a very user-unfriendly design!

Thanks again for your input! Now on to my speaker installation...

 

[Fhantazm]

Good to hear! However, the built in MOSFET amp chip in your new headunit will outperform the factory Ford amp. If it were me, I would still go ahead and bypass the factory amp. You will be very pleased with the results.

 

[Fish Man]

Glad to hear it worked out well. I ended up putting a 7500mp in my 95 and bypassed the factory amp per expo5.0's instructions (thanks for the write up ) and it sounds sweet! didnt try it with both amps running so i cant tell you if it sounds different but it sounds good now.

 

[evoq007]

ya i bypassed mine too, it seemed i had to turn it up more, but it was alhella lot cleaner sound. def worth it

Scott

 

[majorlag]

Complete!

ya i bypassed mine too, it seemed i had to turn it up more, but it was alhella lot cleaner sound. def worth it

Scott

Got all four speakers replaced with Pioneer 3-way 6x8s. Sounded much better. I then bypassed the factory amp (using the harness--waaay too easy). The most noticeable difference then was, of course, I had to turn up the volume more to compensate for the reduced amplification. I couldn't tell a great difference in audio quality immediately.

A few days later, it seems like the sound may be some cleaner at higher volumes with less distortion. Or I could just be justifying the effort of bypassing the amp!

Thanks again for all your advice, and mega kudos to this site, the helpful and knowledgeble folks on it, and the search feature! I'm very pleased with all the results!