Siriosys Posted June 29, 2008 Posted June 29, 2008 Having just purchased a new car (VW Golf) I have and possibly will continue to have little funds left for any Hifi spending. Lo and Behold said new car came with a lovely integrated Stereo (nice lights that match all the other lights in the car:D:D:D), BUT it has a Minidisc player in it!.....oh and being a Jap import, I'm stuck listening to Sh*t-hop or Murray Deaker on Weekends (that be Mai FM and ZB) So what is a man to do???? I guess I could replace the whole stereo, but that's not really an option at the moment unless somebody has a nice matching VW one that works that can be slide in and out.......and it's almost free!.........YEAH RIGHT! So, how does a Minidisc player work??? I've never used one and I don't know anybody who has either for that matter. Are they like tapes where you can record onto them from an analog audio source? I'm assuming I would need a Minidisc recorder of some sort to get the CD's onto it...am I on the right track?....pun not intended. Thinking I may need to get some mini-discs from trademe or somewhere similar if I'm to use it. Would appreciate a little guidance from any of you who have had such experience........ Cheers
nixon76 Posted June 29, 2008 Posted June 29, 2008 We bought a (new) Mini back in 2001 and specced it with a MiniDisc (as that was the new age walkman of the time!). We were told by the salesman that this would hold up well under resale. Luckily we shifted it before the world cottoned on to that one..... Yes they are like tapes. But they can record from digital and analogue source - depending on the recording device. We had a cheapy player* that was just a player, and a fancier one that had analogue/digital in (via one of those combo 3.5mm/toslink jacks) for recording. Later edition recorders were 'NetMD' - which meant they could be hooked up to a computer a bit like iPod/iTunes now. They only accepted ATRAC(?) format although I think the very last ones finally did MP3. I don't think it's worth scraping round for second hand gear to start using it. Maybe rather go to a VW wreckers and get them to ring round the country and see if they've got a CD version of your console. * By player I mean walkman like thing. Wikipedia has a good article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minidisc
LHH Posted June 29, 2008 Posted June 29, 2008 Yes Minidiscs are like tapes, and you'll need a player of some sort to record. You can record from a digital or analogue source, or use mp3s off your computer. I have a Sony MZ-N710 NetMD portable player for sale if you are interested. It is in perfect condition and cost about $600 new (it was close to the top of the line from memory). It's super sexy looking (IMO) and feels like a quality piece of equipment (unlike an iPod). Here's what it looks like: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-MZ-N710-Blue-MiniDisc-Walkman/dp/B00008AF64 PM me if you are interested. EDIT: I type too slow...nixon beat me to it.
Ariki Padlie Posted June 29, 2008 Posted June 29, 2008 Minidiscs are great and still used by me I have been using them since the mid 90s and even today my MZ-E900 player,R900 recorder and JA20ES are still chugging along. Ahhh Minidisc..see what happens when you blink
Siriosys Posted June 29, 2008 Author Posted June 29, 2008 I don't think it's worth scraping round for second hand gear to start using it. Maybe rather go to a VW wreckers and get them to ring round the country and see if they've got a CD version of your console. Thanks Nixon. That actually hadn't crossed my mind, but if you had any idea how well I handle Spaghetti with Bolognese sauce whilewearing a white shirt, you'll understand what sort of state anything with Auto Electrical is going to end up once I get hold of it:D Will definitely keep my eyes open for any sort of unit at a wreckers though once I get some time to look around - Geez, looking for a car is a mission in itself.....it's been eating into my listening time and making me grumpy. Besides, if I get a minidisc, it's another piece of hifi kit........hehehehehe....I can sneak in yet another purchase and my wife would sanction it........but taking out the old stereo and replacing it........oh boy, hell have no fury............Remember the Raysonic and my Decco are VERY fresh meat so I'm tap-dancing on egg shells at the moment :-) Thanks for the link though........a good read. Cheers R
Guest Posted June 29, 2008 Posted June 29, 2008 These horrid things were popular in Japanese cars before the advent of MP3's and iPlods. If you haven't got any MD's then don't waste your time and money on them now. It's a format deader than Elvis. What year/model Golf did you get ? And what brand/model stereo are you stuck with ? Pictures would help. You could put up with Murray Deaker (personally I would rather listen to static) until you can afford a new stereo or go to Ye Local Doof Doof Car Stereo Shoppe and get a little device called a band expander which allows you to tune into local FM stations.
LHH Posted June 30, 2008 Posted June 30, 2008 michael w;66126 wrote: These horrid things were popular in Japanese cars before the advent of MP3's and iPlods. Sounds like you really hate them. Did you have a bad experience? No they are never going to win any HiFi awards, but if you do a net search you will find that a lot of people still use MD, especially the pro crowd. The reason being that good minidisc players have so many recording options. Mine for instance can accept a microphone, analogue source or digital source, and can interface with a computer for MP3, WMA, WAV etc. You also have any number of track/album editing options. In addition to this, the good portable MD players (like mine) kill the ipod etc in terms of build quality. I purchased my MD player over an iPod (the iPod was cheaper), because at the time the MD player was lighter and had far better battery life. It still does have far better battery life (can get up to 80hrs playtime). I now own an entry level iPod (because it is tiny and easy to carry), but I just did a back to back SQ test with the MD player (using the same compressed MP3), and the MD player sounds significantly better. I put this down to the quality of the headphone output, and possibly the DAC. (although I hear the latest gen iPod classic is using a very good DAC). My 10 cents.
Harman Kardon Posted June 30, 2008 Posted June 30, 2008 Sorry that we are not a doof doof store, however I have not yet come across a Golf we could not change the head unit in, given the price you can get new H/U with a 3 year warranty the question would be why would you not change it ?? Very few people waste money on band expanders now unless there is no other option. Golfs also have some fairly reasonable factory speakers in them so you might as well make the most of it. Take a shot of your dash and post it, then we can tell you whats possible.
Guest Posted June 30, 2008 Posted June 30, 2008 LHH;66170 wrote: Sounds like you really hate them. Did you have a bad experience? Had a few portable recorders (Sharp, Sony) that went bad and several name brand discs that also went dead. Have one left (a secondhand Sony MZ-N10) and some blanks that will probably never get used again. They are very, very convenient but aren't very durable and sound pretty crappy. I can't even listen to them for background music. I'd rather listen to cassettes (admittedly on a Nakamichi). Harman Kardon;66175 wrote: Very few people waste money on band expanders now unless there is no other option. True, though the OP was on a limited budget. Depending on the particular model Golf and time and money, the best bet would be to find a suitable factory unit. The latest Golfs use integrated double DIN units with an aesthetic that no aftermarket replacements can match.
Harman Kardon Posted June 30, 2008 Posted June 30, 2008 The latest Golfs use integrated double DIN units with an aesthetic that no aftermarket replacements can match. Not quite, there are at least 2 panels available to fit aftermarket H/U to Golfs from 2004 on and Mk IV models and most of the earlier ones were standard DIN which lets you fit anything.
Guest Posted June 30, 2008 Posted June 30, 2008 Latest = Mk V Haven't seen one with aftermarket H/U, got any pix, links ?
Siriosys Posted June 30, 2008 Author Posted June 30, 2008 Hi Guys, Thanks, Michael - If somebody can supply and install a new head unit that works with the Golf for about $100, that would be wicked. My apologies as I should have given some idea of quite how cheap I need to be at present. For now, I'm going to give a Minidisc a try and then I'll commence a search for a CD Player later. This way, I get some music going asap. I had a closer look last night and there is a 'CD' button on the head unit which might suggest that it can support a stacker or separate CD Transport of some sort. It's a 2004 Mark IV CLi Golf if that helps anybody. I couldn't see any markings on the unit to be able to work out who manufactured it, but will have a look in daylight.....got home after 7pm tonight. Cheers and thanks for the infos
Guest Posted June 30, 2008 Posted June 30, 2008 Maybe you got lucky and there's a CD changer tucked away somewhere (in the boot, between the front seats etc.) ?
Citroen Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 I thought band expanders are only $20 to $30. In fact I'm sure I have one that I never got round to installing in my Jap import. If I find it I'll let you know.
Guest Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 Somewhere between $50-100 fitted ? I'd rather use one than a dodgy $100 HU.
Siriosys Posted July 1, 2008 Author Posted July 1, 2008 michael w;66299 wrote: Somewhere between $50-100 fitted ? I'd rather use one than a dodgy $100 HU. ....Oops!....must realised how bad that sounded. NO, I'm definitely not after something 'dodgy', that's for sure. I'm just being a really really tight bastard at the moment as one usually is just after buying a car a little earlier than anticipated I'm with you there on the Band Expander so may end up going down that track as to be honest, Radio isn't really my thing with the exception of 95bFM, Concert, National, and George........ok, there's a few stations there, but the time I spend in the car is when the stations decide to flood their listeners with more ads than you can shake a stick at - so that's when the CD, Minidisc, or iPod would work it's magic. Cheers R
Harman Kardon Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 VW have their own specific band expander so I would not recommend using one out of some jap import unless it was a VW and had the correct one in it. You can get an ipod connection to the factory H/U for around $200 installed and that will charge the ipod also. I would not try the wireless FM transmiter for the ipod as I dont think you will be too pleased with it.
Siriosys Posted July 2, 2008 Author Posted July 2, 2008 Thanks for the tips Harmon Kardon. I did some fiddling around tonight and discovered that the headunit is a Sony MD/AM/FM variety. Found somebody on TM who's flogging them off and their description says that it's a CD controller. Does this possibly mean I can hook up a Sony CD Stacker somewhere in the car and we're all go??? Wouldn't have the foggiest how to go about removing the HU from it's position to get to the cables at the back, but it must be able to be done somehow. My wife was commenting tonight on how nice it was that the stereo lights matched and 'dimmed' when the dash lights were dimmed!!!....funny what matters to women the most! I got given a Belkin FM wireless transmitter for my iPod many years ago, and yes, I'd have to agree, they're pretty shite really. It had a HUGE range on it, but quality for whatever reason just wasn't there. I also hate having cables running around the car so having an iPod flying around the front of the car doesn't appeal to me. Remember it's a Mark IV Golf, so I'm not certain that a factory fit iPod dock would work with it as the centre console is that lift-up variety that's pretty much useless.......unless I'm not getting something. Cheers
Harman Kardon Posted July 2, 2008 Posted July 2, 2008 You would need specialised removal keys to get the headunit out If Sony have used their standard DIN connection on the rear of the VW unit then you could try a Sony changer on it, I think they (Sony) also have a adaptor that plugs into that port that allows you to connect an ipod.
Paradox1553552678 Posted July 2, 2008 Posted July 2, 2008 Siriosys;66381 wrote: Does this possibly mean I can hook up a Sony CD Stacker somewhere in the car and we're all go??? Wouldn't have the foggiest how to go about removing the HU from it's position to get to the cables at the back, but it must be able to be done somehow.Cheers Yes, you will be able to add a stacker. Some VWs are pre-wired to the stacker location but I don't think most Golfs are. Stackers also tend to be more expensive than a new CD/MP3 head unit, and if you require full wiring it will add to the cost. The Double-DIN head units are easily replaced with a single DIN head unit and a shelf. They don't look too bad. The only problem is if you have the Monsoon sound system you may lose all the other features like the dimming etc. We have a 2002 Golf with a single DIN unit. It was easy to remove the old head unit using an old cut up credit card. We bought a VW/Audi wiring bracket to leave the stock connection in the dash, and simply crimped the new connections onto the bracket and pushed the connections together. The new Pioneer unit slid right into place and the sound is enormously better. Most VWs have pretty good stock speakers. You can now buy good head units in Auckland for ~$150 which will play MP3s and CDs plus have a front aux in for ipods etc. An installer will cost ~$60-70 plus parts. You can use US sites like Crutchfield to sort out which brands of stereo are likely to fit.
Paradox1553552678 Posted July 2, 2008 Posted July 2, 2008 One more thing - newer Vws and Audis have powered aerials - if you connect an aftermarket head unit you will also need a powered aerial adapter or you will get lousy reception.
nixon76 Posted July 5, 2008 Posted July 5, 2008 Siriosys, we might be getting a golf of a similar vintage in a couple of weeks. It has a CD/Stereo but as it's still on the boat I don't know if it's aftermarket or 'integrated'. We have an aftermarket stereo we'll want to put in it. If the existing one is integrated then that'll become surplus. Could be something you would be interested in?
Siriosys Posted July 5, 2008 Author Posted July 5, 2008 Nixon76, Having just spent most of last night and today converting discs into minidiscs I'm not so sure I want to even acknowledge your message (places hands over ears and remarks "Im going away to my happy place til the bad man goes away"......:D Seriously, I'd certainly be interested in what's in there and I guess if the CD happens to be a separate component I would be interested. I think, from memory some of the golfs had a separate CD player or in some cases a stacker (in dash), however I'm only going on 2nd hand info re that. Keep me posted anyway. Popped Crazy Penis (not mine:D) in the unit this afternoon while out in the rain - thoroughly good listening and so much better than the radio. Damn, those speakers are certainly good and one can get the HU up to a reasonable volume without things distorting. For a factory fit, I'm quite impressed.........Then again, having a Lada in my not so distant past, I'm pretty easily pleased when it comes to cars. Our Lada was a 6-valve job - 1 in the engine and the rest in the stereo.....groan........ R
Guest Posted July 5, 2008 Posted July 5, 2008 Siriosys;66592 wrote: Having just spent most of last night and today converting discs into minidiscs So you bought an MD deck ? I think, from memory some of the golfs had a separate CD player or in some cases a stacker (in dash), however I'm only going on 2nd hand info re that. That info would be correct. A VW loving acquaintance had a Mk IV R32 with separate tuner and CD, a MkV GTI with double DIN single CD tuner + 6CD changer between the front seats and a Mk V R32 with in-dash double DIN 6CD changer/tuner.
Siriosys Posted July 5, 2008 Author Posted July 5, 2008 Yep, sure did. Managed to help LHH with his travel fund a bit;) Nice little unit, but I now understand why people think iTunes is so good to use!! The sq is definitely not as bad as I thought it was going to be so I'm pretty happy. A thought crossed my mind tonight in that a benefit of having an MD palyer in the car is that none of my precious CD's are going to find themselves left dumped on the car floor or in the baking heat in the glove box over summer - As much as I love her, my wife doesn't have the same regard for looking after CD's as I do so she leaves them lying around out of their cases etc etc...... A CDP in the car might extend her bad habits beyond the house to the garage. ....Damn, you're friend has got nice taste in Golf's!!!......(wipes dribble from chin at thought of owning an R32)
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