Team-BHP - HU without CD/CST, only USB/AUX/Radio/BT available?

Hi!

After tolerating the stock ICE doled with Innova G4 for a few months (Grrrr, how do they dare to pass down a simple cassette player with a 9Lakh car! Though I am buying with 90% finance, but that doesn't mean they need to pass me a CST player in 2006-07, and that too without an AUX in so that I can hold the upgrade for some more time), I am looking to upgrade my ICE, though as with most of the decisions in life, tight budget controls my choice.

Now. Is there a HU I can buy today in Bangalore, which doesn't have any CD or cassette player, instead it'll play from a USB pen-drive, and AUX input (preferably in the front side), and optionally via Bluetooth? I heard the CD drive makes the most expensive component of HU (because of shock protection etc) and it is the most vulnerable part too (dust/vibration). So if someone got rid of it, it'll cut cost and make it more robust.

I have heard of Alpine iDA-X0001. I have visited a few car accessory shops, and when I ask if they have a HU which'll meet the specs above, all I got a blank look.

Any leads will be very useful.

regards
Kousik.

Quote:

Originally Posted by navin (Post 437415)

you could connect your ipod to the cassette player via a cassette adapter. it is cheap and the sound is not audiophile but it works.

I understand; but I heard the adapter sucks big time, and I need to buy an iPod :Shockked:(that consumes big chunk of my budget). If I had a cheap HU which'll simply play from a USB stick (a pair of which I have lying around at home), it would have been great. I guess that is too much to ask (a cheap robust HU which plays Radio+USB+AUX), eh?

Then I could have used rest of my money to upgrade my speakers.

The Blau GTA275 (2-ch amp; 6K) or the GTA415 (4-ch amp; 11K) takes direct aux-in input from an MP3 player. Get it, hook-up your iPod via the amp's direct input port (3.5mm or RCA I guess), and you're in business :)

Go one step further: Get a Harmann-Kardon Drive + Play (10k now I guess -- Sam, when will it be 5k????? :D ), hook your iPod to it, and hook the D+P to the GTA475 or any amp of your choice (the H-K can output to an RCA cable I guess). You get a screen, the iPod gets charged, and you get a killer iPod control device. And No HU to be bothered with!

Quote:

Originally Posted by hydrashok (Post 437442)

I would support this option as the best one...from all the above option....

Quote:

Originally Posted by hydrashok (Post 437442)

Go one step further: Get a Harmann-Kardon Drive + Play (10k now I guess -- Sam, when will it be 5k????? :D ), hook your iPod to it, and hook the D+P to the GTA475 or any amp of your choice (the H-K can output to an RCA cable I guess). You get a screen, the iPod gets charged, and you get a killer iPod control device. And No HU to be bothered with!

Well I went to Sprocket (Koramangala, Bangalore) yesterday and spoke to Mr John about this option (because I saw a Harman-Kardon on their display). He strongly discouraged me going for it. He said it is very difficult in practicality to find 'home' for the components. They'll look misfit, and he can't make a neat wiring job. The wires may hang around and I won't like it. Plus the glove box will be occupied. And the last reason he said "impedence doesn't match". On that I said "duh!" but finally dropped the plan. I am back to square one searching for a head-unit without any moving part ...

Kousik

Its really strange that none of the big guys (except Alpine, now) have thought about making a HU which plays only mp3 players and other auxiliary sources. I mean in this digital age when no-one prefers burning CDs (tapes is a thing of the past) there HAS to be something made specially for that. I think people have spent so much on useless features that they forget the basic premise on which a new product is designed - what consumers want.

Hi
I think you could look at this option
Clarion FB275BT Digital Media Receiver

Clarion designed the FB275BT for music lovers who've moved beyond CDs. Instead of a CD player, you'll find a handy slot behind the face that accepts SD cards that you've loaded with your favorite MP3 files, plus a rear auxiliary input for connecting a portable music player or a plug-and-play satellite radio.
You can make and receive hands-free calls with your Bluetooth phone, using the included microphone. You can also stream music wirelessly from a Bluetooth® cell phone with music storage or from a portable player connected to Clarion's [COLOR=#0000ff]DGL370[/COLOR] Bluetooth transmitter

you can review it here

Clarion FB275BT Digital media receiver at Crutchfield.com

Can't agree more! though I wish it should have been more generalized USB interface instead of (or in addition to) sd card. I guess this will be the trend 'beyond' dvds... and I would personally like it that way:thumbs up

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariaprabhu (Post 463487)

I think you could look at this option
Clarion FB275BT Digital Media Receiver

Ever since I came to know about it, I have been drooling. Though I don't have too many folks in US who will be willing to ferry a car audio HU for me, I did some web search to get one bought. And did anyone notice that it is out of stock in Crutchfield, cardomain.com; and fry's or bestbuy or circuitcity didn't hear of it at all? Is it really out, for general consumption?

Kousik