stereo system

[amateurjazzowner]

Hi guys I don't know if anyone has a stereo system whereby the CD/MP3 stacker modulates into the stock radio in the Jazz, but I currently have that setup and I realised that sometimes I get a buzzing sound when music is playing. I think this only happens when I play mp3 CDs but I will check my audio CDs tonight when I drive. Would this be a problem with the quality of the CD or is it because stereo setups that involve modulators are bound by fate to produce the buzzing sounds? It only happens on some tracks that I play (constantly) so I doubt this would be a problem with my speakers. I also have an amp and a subwoofer all installed by a mechanic so I don't know if that has anything to do with it as well as the entire setup was too complicated for me to do myself.

If it does turn out to be the modulator I would want to get another headunit pretty fast. Is it then possible to hook that up to the stacker?

[kentris]

If it's MP3 CD, have you checked the quality of the actual MP3's on the CDs?

[amateurjazzowner]

I actually burned them myself =) but they seem okay when i play it on the computer. Maybe I need to turn it up more to really hear it.

[vividjazz]

Do you get any noise in between tracks when the music isn't playing? Obviously there won't be if the unit has zero bit mute but otherwise there should still be static/noise all the time if it isn't the recording itself.

Have you tried burning some MP3s out to audio CD to see if you still have the noise or just played some regular CDs?

[amateurjazzowner]

There isn't any sound when audio CDs are playing - well none that I have heard as yet so I am inclined to think it is the quality of the mp3 CDs i've burned. Nevertheless, vividjazz would u recommend my current setup or do u think I should go for an aftermarket headunit? I have 2 pairs of clarion 2 way speakers and a 12 inch sub hooked into a 5 channel amp and a 10 CD/MP3 stacker that modulates into the stock radio. If I go for an aftermarket headunit is it going to improve the sound quality? I understand I would need to get a double din and brackets and all that but if its going to make a huge difference then I'm willing to spend the money.

Thanks for ur help man.

[z3n]

there could be a number of factors that could create buzzing sound.
as you said the 10 stacker is modulated via radio frequency, from my experience there will always be interference.
mobile phones work in a similar concept, our voices are modulated into signals, and sent to the recepiant and demodulated to create sound, if there's interference (especially any electro magnetic signal) it shall affect the quality.
i'm no audio expert, however i believe you'll need to hook up your cd stacker with proper wiring to the head unit to improve the quality.

oh, you mentioned normal audio cds work fine. could be the quality of mp3s or could be the way you burn the cd. just note, computers have equaliser software and codecs to enhance the quality of music played on the computer, where opposed to the stock head unit, i believe it is preset.

check the bit rate for your mp3s, the higher the bit rate, the better

my 2 cents

[vividjazz]

At the moment your amp will be connected via speaker cables as the stock unit has no RCAs (line outs). An aftermarket head unit will give you a better connection to your amp. The RCAs will have proper pre outs improving the signal. Aftermarket unit will offer more audio functions such as equalizer and processing options for MP3s.

The single biggest improvement to an audio system is speakers. You've already done this and further enhanced them with amplification so the head unit will make a difference but not a huge one.

The stackers sound quality is going to be capped by FM. On good sound systems there is such a huge difference between listening to the radio and playing a CD that you don't want to listen to music via the radio. If you listen to some digital radio broadcasts you'll realise just how bad FM is by comparison (bigger difference than AM to FM).

Try some different software for burning your MP3s. Maybe listen to them on the PC with some good headphones to see how they sound as PC speakers are pretty hows your uncle. Make sure all your MP3s are at least 192. 128 just doesn't cut it.

Your setup is a really great example of how to improve the Jazzes audio without changing the factory head unit. Its a tradeoff as you've found but such a setup keeps the cost down as pulling the dash apart and rewiring is the most time consuming part of an install on the Jazz (besides extensive soundproofing which also takes a lot of time).

[amateurjazzowner]

Thanks vividjazz for all that. How much would u think I'll be looking at if I were to change the headunit?It seems that i should just go for a DVD headunit or otherwise a CD headunit will only fill half the gap. u mentioned soundproofing as well...what other things do i need apart from the double din, another headunit and perhaps some wires?

Thanks a lot for this.

[vividjazz]

With just the one amp you shouldn't have to worry about the cars battery but you should make sure the earths are good and upsized on the battery, near the amp and the CD stacker. You can't overearth.

You'd be amazed what a difference a bit of sound proofing around the speakers makes let alone the whole doors. Dynamat does a kit for 2 speakers for $30 RRP. Not as if its going to blow anyones budget at that price.

If you change the head unit you want to run proper RCA cables to the amp instead of splitting off the speaker wires.

You can fill the 2nd DIN in the headunit with a nice storage box, facia, pocket, CD holder or extra cup holders. I had a 6 CD holder which I've since replaced with a nice lined box designed to hold a portable MP3 player.

Doing the head unit on the Jazz is a big job (takes a good half day) including rewiring. Have a look at the articles on it. I can understand why people try to avoid it but the factory made in China head unit is really cheap and nasty compared to pretty much any aftermarket head unit.

[amateurjazzowner]

Thanks vividjazz. I think I will go for the aftermarket headunit when I am cashed up. Please inform me if you are planning a group buy on the double DIN.

Can you recommend any places to do sound proofing? I googled Dynamat and got a US based address.

[vividjazz]

Any car audio place that knows anything will have soundproofing. If a place has the reaction of what would you want soundproofing for its a great indicator for going elsewhere. Dynamat is the biggest brand name but I've got G-Spot in my car and its just as good. Which city are you in as I can recommend some places? Should fill in location on your profile.

As for group buys on the double DINs I did one before Christmas. Happy to do another one if we can get at least 3 people who want them and are prepared to put their money down upfront - need a commitment.

[amateurjazzowner]

I'm in Melbourne - I went to No Limit Electronics in South Melbourne to have my stereo system fixed after autobarn stuffed it up. They were quite good.

I'm fine with paying for the double DIN upfront, just inform me of the details.

Thanks.

[vividjazz]

PM sent with details

[kentris]

just ot a bit.

vivid you know what colour your double din is? there are two different colours in the UK.

a dark coal and a lighter one.

[bnefit]

different shades we got here differentiate the pre-facelift and the facelifted models. the lighter shade is for pre-facelift and the darker shade is for facelifted ones.

i bought the darker shade as mine is 05 model. reckon the same should apply for uk jazz?