Hi all,
Anyone remember what was the standard radio installed into Alfas 1990-91 period?
I think radios were left to the each respective country's Alfa distributor to instal.
So in the 1990-91 period, the only cars still being imported were the 75s and 164s, just before Alfa Romeo Australia closed up shop?
Thanks!
Victor
PS: Yes, I'm looking for one!
My 16 valve 33 had an original pioneer Alfa Romeo radio. Had Alfa written on the casette slide. I swapped it for a CD player when I owned the car but i kept the radio and when I sold the car I gave it to the buyer.
Oops, as mentioned by ANG156, the 33 16v was still in production at that time.
ANG156: Can you remember the year of your 33?
Yes, I thought it might have been Pioneer but my 1984 Alfa 33 had the Eurovox radio, but not sure when they changed to Pioneer.
I have quite a few in stock from that era, I can put up some photos if you want? :)
They did use pioneer units. 2 of my 164's have the factory headunit although one is a different model. These headunits can also be 'pulled out' with the handle that flicks up so you can take it with you.
(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss132/Andrew_Goldun/image_zpslbsgxpjd.jpeg) (http://s569.photobucket.com/user/Andrew_Goldun/media/image_zpslbsgxpjd.jpeg.html)
(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss132/Andrew_Goldun/image_zps2brdv5on.jpeg) (http://s569.photobucket.com/user/Andrew_Goldun/media/image_zps2brdv5on.jpeg.html)
(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss132/Andrew_Goldun/image_zpsemxh93w4.jpeg) (http://s569.photobucket.com/user/Andrew_Goldun/media/image_zpsemxh93w4.jpeg.html)
(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss132/Andrew_Goldun/image_zpsswdb3jwt.jpeg) (http://s569.photobucket.com/user/Andrew_Goldun/media/image_zpsswdb3jwt.jpeg.html)
Edit: If you are looking for one, I'd advise against it. They sound pretty awful with a lot of noise and distortion up loud and are also lacking in the power department.
Andrew.
Quote from: VeeSix on July 04, 2016, 02:03:38 PM
I have quite a few in stock from that era, I can put up some photos if you want? :)
Thanks VeeSix! Are your units similar to V AR 164 (Andrew) pictures?
Quote from: V AR 164 on July 04, 2016, 02:38:30 PM
They did use pioneer units. 2 of my 164's have the factory headunit although one is a different model. These headunits can also be 'pulled out' with the handle that flicks up so you can take it with you.
Edit: If you are looking for one, I'd advise against it. They sound pretty awful with a lot of noise and distortion up loud and are also lacking in the power department.
Andrew.
Yes Andrew, agree that the sound quality compared to today's head units would be pretty average
Basically not sure now whether to go the "period" look and get a radio that was available then, or just go modern???
Thanks everyone!
No worries,
What car are you planning to install it in? If it's a 164, go for a modern unit as you can pull down the flap and hide it away for a 'stealth' look. If it's a 75 the unit is quite low down in the dash and not as noticeable as some other cars.
Also newer stuff have the advantage of having new technology such as Bluetooth. Something I wish I had! Although the flashy lights and digital screens look horrid and are just another 'Theif magnet'.
Cheers, Andrew.
My 33 was a 1990 build. The radio identical to VAR164
My 33 16V had a Pioneer KE-1600QR until a few years ago.
Thanks all for the feedback and confirmation that Pioneer radios was the brand radio fitted into Australian Alfas at the time.
Good to know!
Now looking at what features those radios offered compared to today ... wow things have changed in aftermarket car stereos in 25 years.
Quote from: V AR 164 on July 04, 2016, 05:51:34 PM
... newer stuff have the advantage of having new technology such as Bluetooth. Something I wish I had!
Hey Andrew, how about this: http://www.cartoys.com/catalog/product/view/id/42249/s/ismj38/category/309/
There are companies making retro look radios with modern tech. Problem is those radios are 50's and 60's styling
http://www.retrosoundusa.com.au/
I think some more googling needed!
Cheers all
(http://i819.photobucket.com/albums/zz112/jazig_k/75%20Twinspark/P4120030.jpg) (http://s819.photobucket.com/user/jazig_k/media/75%20Twinspark/P4120030.jpg.html)
I've got the original accessories booklet with every head unit option for the 1988 Twinspark. There's about 6 of them. I can get some photos of it for you if you'd like?
Quote from: Victor Lee on July 04, 2016, 05:24:54 PM
Basically not sure now whether to go the "period" look and get a radio that was available then, or just go modern???
Thanks everyone!
Check out the McIntosh range for some beautiful modern-retro looks.
(http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc163/doitor/McIntosh%20MX406/Picture002Medium.jpg) (http://s215.photobucket.com/user/doitor/media/McIntosh%20MX406/Picture002Medium.jpg.html)
Quote from: Victor Lee on July 04, 2016, 05:24:54 PM
Basically not sure now whether to go the "period" look and get a radio that was available then, or just go modern???
That tape thing you posted would be an awful solution IMO. Your sound quality is determined by the weakest link in the system, and the tape-player in the 90s head-unit is definitely the weakest link.
You could put in a period head-unit just for looks, and get a mini amp you can hide behind the dash or in the glove-box, which has RCA inputs. Then you can just plug whatever you want into the amp; phone, digital tuner, tablet, whatever. I had a $20 one from China in the Giulietta shitbox, and the sound was surprisingly good, definitely better than a 90s head-unit. But you can get some good quality branded ones also. This is a pretty common solution in classic cars these days.
Or just get a Becker Mexico. http://www.becker-mexico-retro.de/en/ (http://www.becker-mexico-retro.de/en/)
Funny you should bring up the tape:
(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss132/Andrew_Goldun/image_zpsm7in4xrr.jpeg) (http://s569.photobucket.com/user/Andrew_Goldun/media/image_zpsm7in4xrr.jpeg.html)
Hahahaha, I'm not going to lie, it actually sounds really good. Of course not as good as an aux in, but I can live with it. And you can take my word for it as I am a bit of an 'audio fanatic'.
I never knew McIntosh made headunits for cars! I always drool over their home stereo amplifiers and that headunit looks the business! Might need to start saving ;D
I have always wanted a factory standard looking headunit with newer guts inside it. I was actually debating whether or not to pull my other unit to bits and replace everything with newer tech and uprated components, but keep the stock appearance. I never got around to it sadly.
Cheers, Andrew.
Quote from: V AR 164 on July 05, 2016, 11:46:11 AM
Funny you should bring up the tape:
(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss132/Andrew_Goldun/image_zpsm7in4xrr.jpeg) (http://s569.photobucket.com/user/Andrew_Goldun/media/image_zpsm7in4xrr.jpeg.html)
Hahahaha, I'm not going to lie, it actually sounds really good. Of course not as good as an aux in, but I can live with it. And you can take my word for it as I am a bit of an 'audio fanatic'.
I never knew McIntosh made headunits for cars! I always drool over their home stereo amplifiers and that headunit looks the business! Might need to start saving ;D
Ah ok, fair enough. I've only had a few days experience with one of those tape adaptors, 3.5 days from Perth to Melbourne, in a pretty shit factory sound system. Mostly listened to podcasts so the sound quality wasn't overly important, but the few times I listened to music through it I was pretty disappointed.
McIntosh head-units were stock on many Subarus in the 90s and 00s, you might be able to find one at a wreckers.
A club member put me onto this company: http://www.outofsightaudio.com
I've bought one of the units but haven't installed it. This is for our 1974 Alfasud, so I can have a 70s radio head unit for looks and radio passing through this hidden unit which will take over for Bluetooth audio.
I'll report back when it's fitted and I've tested it out...
The McIntosh in the Subaru's was somewhat scaled down to fit the budget... Not quite what the original, purchased from supplier McIntosh is. That is what I understand it to be anyway. I don't mind if you prove me wrong.
The McIntosh units used to pop up second hand for around the $400~500 mark second hand, but that's 5+ years ago. I would think you can have them cheaper now. Pretty sure they don't have internal amps either, so you have to run an external amplifier. Been a long time so might be wrong about that...
There are a few amplifiers with built in bluetooth or other things like SD or USB which can operate without a head unit at all. I've bought up links and brands in other threads over the Alfa forums.
Quote from: jazig.k on July 05, 2016, 09:09:59 AM
I've got the original accessories booklet with every head unit option for the 1988 Twinspark. There's about 6 of them. I can get some photos of it for you if you'd like?
Thanks for the offer, but not necessary yet. But can you advise what brand are they? Pioneer?
A main push for a period radio is to get the Alfa logo on the tape cassette door!
The McIntosh looks nice, if you can get one!
The device that Evan mention I assume only does Bluetooth audio? A good possibility!
Bit more googling tonight! :)
Quote from: Victor Lee on July 05, 2016, 07:51:40 PM
The device that Evan mention I assume only does Bluetooth audio? A good possibility!
Yep, if you have a period radio/cassette wired through this box you can either have radio, cassette, or bluetooth audio.
Speaking of Becker stereos, I'm looking for a Becker Montreal to go in a.....well you can work it out.
Only ever seen a photo of one, so if anyone sees one hanging around somewhere drop me a line.
Sorry to hijack your thread Victor.
Regards
Steve
Adelaide
Quote from: four90s on July 06, 2016, 10:38:38 AM
Speaking of Becker stereos, I'm looking for a Becker Montreal to go in a.....well you can work it out.
Only ever seen a photo of one, so if anyone sees one hanging around somewhere drop me a line.
Sorry to hijack your thread Victor.
Regards
Steve
Adelaide
Hi Steve, so I've been checking modern radios with old styling, I came across this Becker one:
http://www.koenigs-klassik.de/Becker/Becker_Navi_im_Retro-Look/becker_navi_im_retro-look.html
Cheers,
Victor
Oops. Just realised my previous post's link is the same radio that Sheldon put up before. D'oh! :o
But what is the "style" of 90's radios? It appears until the late 70's/early 80's the radios had the control knobs on either side of the main facia with push buttons on the lower centre. The tape deck was upper centre.
Then in the 80's the control knobs became smaller and moved where ever on the facia. LED then LCD displays (like calculator displays) came in. Tape decks gave way to CD decks.
Now a days we have full colour LCD screens, fully illuminated and programmable colour buttons and no CD decks. So back to the question: what is 90's radio styling?
It seems if all I want is the Alfa logo on the tape deck lid, then the Pioneer units as shown previously is the go. But if I want modern features, then anything is possible but it may "look" out of place.
There are some classic retro radios with modern features around but they look more suited for pre 70's cars
http://www.retrosoundusa.com.au/
So I found this one: Control knobs on both sides AND looks modern (but too modern!) AND modern features for a reasonable price.
https://www.soundlabsgroup.com.au/p/VDO-CDD718UBBU-Car-Radio/VDO+CDD718UB+DAB+CD+Bluetooth+Car+Radio
Actually looks similar one that Sheldon mentioned!
Anyone got other ideas?
Thanks!
Quote from: Victor Lee on July 07, 2016, 08:38:08 AM
So back to the question: what is 90's radio styling?
This.
Well, this has been an interesting exercise! So far in this post we've found the following radios were fitted to Alfas
Pioneer KEH-5070QR
Pioneer KEH-5150QR
Pioneer KE-1600QR
I was at Monza Motors yesterday and having a hunt out back and I found these-
Pioneer KE-A633AM
Pioneer KE-3040
Eurovox MCC-2300R
This is the same 2 channel Eurovox as fitted to my Alfa 33 GCL. The 4 channel Eurovox (with a little joystick for the 4 channels) was fitted to the Alfa 33 Ti. So I assume these were fitted to other Alfas in the mid 1980's until they changed to Pioneer.
My shortlist now is the Eurovox. I just hope it works!
The Eurovox 2 channel was fitted to the GCL and TI 33, i know because i had one, but i upgraded to the 4 channel with the joystick.
Both were awfull head units, with them constantly breaking down,.....was quite happy when the one in the 33 was vandalised and i had an opportunity to replace it with a good Pioneer.
The name Euovox has long gone from the Australian scene, they went into receivership about 10 years ago, best of luck with repairs,...i can still remember their address for repairs, University place Clayton.
Really do miss the bluetooth and being able to talk on the phone hands free and not have to worry about blue lights appearing from somewhere, when driving a car with an older style head unit, my 2 cents worth anyway, Colin.
I may have a use for that Pioneer KE-A633AM, Victor. Was it easy to find down at Monza?
Quote from: colcol on July 10, 2016, 01:08:28 PM
The Eurovox 2 channel was fitted to the GCL and TI 33, i know because i had one, but i upgraded to the 4 channel with the joystick.
Both were awfull head units, with them constantly breaking down,.....was quite happy when the one in the 33 was vandalised and i had an opportunity to replace it with a good Pioneer.
The name Euovox has long gone from the Australian scene, they went into receivership about 10 years ago, best of luck with repairs,...i can still remember their address for repairs, University place Clayton.
Really do miss the bluetooth and being able to talk on the phone hands free and not have to worry about blue lights appearing from somewhere, when driving a car with an older style head unit, my 2 cents worth anyway, Colin.
Hi Col, Interesting about the 4 channel thing. A mate bought an Alfa 33 Ti a few months after me and he had the 4 channel Eurovox as standard.
I recall the only problem with my 2 channel unit was the left - right switch wasn't centred properly.
And I was pretty much set on the Eurovox until I read this! Yes, I'll miss having no bluetooth maybe problematic. Good 2 cents worth!
Quote from: Evan Bottcher on July 10, 2016, 01:28:10 PM
I may have a use for that Pioneer KE-A633AM, Victor. Was it easy to find down at Monza?
Hi Evan, Tell Hugh I found it in the room where the Eurovox is! ;)
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/doreen/audio-gps-car-alarms/alfa-romeo-pioneer-original-car-radio-cassette-player/1119249201
just found this on gumtree, not 90s but the original gtv6 deck. I still have mine, might be of interest to someone else. Looks like good condition aswell
Same as a twin carb Sud, was quite a good unit, the only problem was that something went wrong with the tuner, and Pioneer said they could upgrade the tuner to a better unit, on the Alfa unit it had 6 AM stations for extra snap crackle and pop and 12 FM stations, but the upgraded tuner had 12 AM stations and only 6 FM stations as it was the same tuner out of a Ford Fairlane, [remember them?], and the more older Fairlane drivers prefered AM over FM.
The Pioneer unit was replaced by a Phillips head unit because it had AM stereo, [yes really], and it had preouts for a big sub woofer in the boot.
Always prefered Pioneer units, but thats just me, Colin.
Those Eurovox units with the joy stick were fitted to GTV6's. Really crappy as Colcol says. Sorry Victor but I threw away more than one....
If memory is right the cassette load mechanism used to play up after far to short a time. You'd push the cassette in and it'd pop straight back out.