Replacing your boat's stereo head unit

S

Split Decision

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exMember
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Apr 26, 2007
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I am looking at replacing my factory head unit and adding an amplifier.

The factory original Sony CDX C5005 head unit powers four speakers in the galley and four speakers in the cockpit area.I really only want to add an amp to power the four cockpit speakers as I upgraded these speakers last year and let the head unit power the four galley speakers.

The existing Sony head unit is located in our galley directly underneath our electrical panel.

Given this head units location, would you prefer a marine head unit or given that the head unit should not see any rain or spray just purchase a non marine head unit?

I would be looking for a head unit with front face USB connection and connection for IPOD.

Of all the various manufactures out there, are there a couple that would be considered the better of the bunch for head units and amps? I was thinking a four channel amp with 60 watts RMS per channel would suit our needs.

Thanks,
Mike.
 
I prefer not to limit my choices to marine units in an interior installation.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Gregory S

Inever had a boat with a stereo in the head! :)

Click to expand...


I was gonna say.

And then I asked myself, does he have a throne for each cheek?

I would think any car stereo would work if it is mounted inside. Keeping it in the same place would make it a simpler job?
 
From the manual, it looks like that Sony has outputs and a power control lead for an amplifier, so why not just add an amp? Is the unit defective? The Sony is about as good as anything, head unit wise.
 
Mike,

I did a whole new system last year. I used a Sony marine unit mounted in the salon. The USB was a hard wired cable (5'). I just ran it out onto a counter top. I also installed an amp to drive 2 speakers I installed up on the bridge. The 2 new salon speakers I drive with head unit. Originally I had 6 speakers down below but I elimanated 4 of them, I really didn't need speakers in the state rooms. I also ran the Sony wired remote from the bridge down to the head unit and I installed the Sirius modules. If you want I have a write up with pictures somewhere of the whole install and equipmentprices used.

Good luck
Niles
 
I received a Fusion Stereo for Xmas last year & Speakers for B-Day. Now I just need to get time to install. I like the fact the Fusion is True Marine with lots of features & can use IPod.
 
The existing Sony head unit is about 10 years old now and it doesn't like to play CD's very well.

So I felt it is time to upgrade the Sony to have the USB and auxillary connection for IPOD along with getting a little more volume out of the four new Polk DB651 speakers I installed in the cockpit area.

The helm wired remote is a little inconsistent so I wanted to look into changing it out as well. Puchasing another Sony unit would be fine with me.

I was looking through all the owners manuals tonight that came with our boat. The past owner did a real good job with keeping everything. I found a Operting Instruction manual for a Sony Stereo Power Amplifier model XM-754HX. The specs list this amp at 75 watts per channel minimum continuous average power into 4 ohms.

A couple of other 328 Four Winns owners thought their boats did not have a factory amp so I kinda assumed mine did not as well. Our boat is still under shrink wrap for about another 6 weeks so I can't easily check yet.

I wonder if I purchased a current Sony Head unit to get the features I want if the wiring harness would be the same as my previous one?

Niles, thanks for the offer to share your setup, I will need to confirm if I do in fact have an existing amp and if all 8 speakers are wired to it.

Can someone comment if the above noted amp would be real close in output power to a RMS power rating of 4 ohms: 60 watts X 4 channel?

Thanks,
Mike
 
Mike

Many of the old head units you can use the AUX input and install an iPod outlet. You just route the cable to the helm and you can use the iPod while cruising. You should upgrade the amp before changing the head unit. Once you change you system to iPod, you will not even want CD's on the boat.
 
Good suggestions here, Mike. An amp would be my first upgrade to what you have currently. And you may want to add some bass via subwoofer. I have been running my iPod off of an older head unit and decided I wanted satellite as well since the iPod can vibrate pretty good while under way and I do not want to damage the cable connection nor the unit. So mainly I use it while on anchor. I added a Sony CDXM60UI...it has everything you are looking for and then some. It is a marine unit--not that you need it in your current location--but good insurance. This is MP3, iPod ready, Satellite, USB, very versatile.
 
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