D2 ES Harmon Kardon Stereo Upgrade

Hi all,
My D2 still has the standard tape deck stereo fitted ... and apparently Father Christmas is going to replace it

There seems to be loads of info on various sites regarding stereo upgrades but nothing particularly recent ... and reading that some stereos won't work with the Harmon Kardon speakers ... so does anyone know exactly what is needed?

Looking for one that requires no wiring modification, just as simple as possible to fit and ideally keeping the steering wheel buttons working?

Thanks

There's nothing wrong with the loudspeakers, they are compatible with any head unit you decide on.
There's an amplifier in the system that isn't and as for "no wiring modification" that isn't totally possible.
There's a few head units that have the facility to except the signal from the steering wheel buttons but u will require a patch lead at additional cost, around £15, to have that function.

Is your HK stereo also a CD player and Radio? OR just a Radio/Tape player?

I have the original HK in my RR P38 and I use a little radio transmitting player that plugs into the cigar lighter socket.
It allows me to have all of my favourite music in the car and it plays through the HK perfectly using a Stereo Radio signal.
Just a thought for you. No juggling with the cars wiring and no major complications.
The one I have has 3 Sources Micro SD card, USB Memory stick and (if you are already posh) a simple 3.5mm Aux jack socket so you can plug your iPod/iPlayer in as the music source.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/3225592265...=9045016&device=c&campaignid=856845788&crdt=0

Hope it helps.

Looks good so I've ordered one, so we will see it maybe something else I don't need, nout wrong with my CDs at 200 watts plus the sub with the same watts all from my 1995 Pioneer head unit and multi CD player plus the newish addition of the sub and amp

Hey thanks for the replies. The stereo is a tape/radio with a CD changer under the seat. Currently have a tape deck Aux adapter fitted.

Discool - Should probably clarify the "wiring modifications" comment... I meant so as not having to rewire anything, if it's plug and play adapters then that's fine if it keeps the steering wheel buttons working.

DanClarke - thanks for that looks like a good alternative, although I have something similar as a dab radio receiver that transmits over fm in the work van and keep having to reprogramme the transmit frequency as it picks up normal fm radio stations.

Iv just removed a so called uprated stereo from ours after finally tracking down a standard unit. It has the tape player and under seat CD unit and steering wheel controls with rear passengers plug in units, its far better than the crappy Sony head unit I removed.

With one of these it turns your stereo into a hands free kit working via the radio and Bluetooth all your stored music
Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/302426205580

Sam-W said:

Hey thanks for the replies. The stereo is a tape/radio with a CD changer under the seat. Currently have a tape deck Aux adapter fitted.

Discool - Should probably clarify the "wiring modifications" comment... I meant so as not having to rewire anything, if it's plug and play adapters then that's fine if it keeps the steering wheel buttons working.

DanClarke - thanks for that looks like a good alternative, although I have something similar as a dab radio receiver that transmits over fm in the work van and keep having to reprogramme the transmit frequency as it picks up normal fm radio stations.

Click to expand...

Well, "touch wood" - so far I have had no issues at all with interference. Hope you find a solution that works for you.

Ordered at 10.14pm yesterday the 8th via eBay, arrived today he 9th at 2.45pm from Amason. Let the fun begin, will it be worth £18.00.

Discool can you let me know what you think of it please

Sam-W said:

Discool can you let me know what you think of it please

Click to expand...

Will do, I'll be plugging it in tomorrow, only two things have concerned me moment, one is background static which is mentioned in the user guide may have it but then maybe not depends on vehicle ,the other is the Bluetooth connection from the source of the music which in my case would be my phone but my phone is paired with my car kit, I can pair it with this unit but it one or the other so it has to stay paired to the car kit.

Fortunately the unit also accepts a USB memory stick or a micro memory card so that's what I've done this evening, 976 tracks on an 8gb card with still plenty of room left. I've downloaded the tracks in titled files which as would be a CD we will see if it accepts that or I'll have to take all the tracks out and do away with the files.

Oh there's a third perceived issue in that volume, increase/decrease, has to be from the source not the existing head units volume control, so if the a phone is the source it has to be placed somewhere convenient to do that, not in a pocket as mine would be and all ways is, not an issue as such when using a memory card in the unit as the unit has a volume control but then that's down by the cigarette lighter and the unit is smaller than it looks.

Sam-W said:

I meant so as not having to rewire anything, if it's plug and play adapters then that's fine if it keeps the steering wheel buttons working.

Click to expand...

there are adaptor harnesses on the market as to put what head unit you want, here's a guide https://discoweb.org/showpost.php?p=782037&postcount=1

discool said:

Will do, I'll be plugging it in tomorrow, only two things have concerned me moment, one is background static which is mentioned in the user guide may have it but then maybe not depends on vehicle ,the other is the Bluetooth connection from the source of the music which in my case would be my phone but my phone is paired with my car kit, I can pair it with this unit but it one or the other so it has to stay paired to the car kit.

Fortunately the unit also accepts a USB memory stick or a micro memory card so that's what I've done this evening, 976 tracks on an 8gb card with still plenty of room left. I've downloaded the tracks in titled files which as would be a CD we will see if it accepts that or I'll have to take all the tracks out and do away with the files.

Oh there's a third perceived issue in that volume, increase/decrease, has to be from the source not the existing head units volume control, so if the a phone is the source it has to be placed somewhere convenient to do that, not in a pocket as mine would be and all ways is, not an issue as such when using a memory card in the unit as the unit has a volume control but then that's down by the cigarette lighter and the unit is smaller than it looks.

Click to expand...

No, the volume works wonderfully on the normal HK head unit.

Are you getting on OK with it?

DanClarke said:

No, the volume works wonderfully on the normal HK head unit.

Are you getting on OK with it?

Click to expand...

All done, plugged the FM unit in on Sunday but it was so cold in finally finish this even, it may only take 3 minutes to plug and pair to Bluetooth but checking that the other facilities work and how to access take a little bit longer.

So what did I find. 1. Brilliant sound reproduction without any interference what so ever even with the engine running.

2. Just adjust the units volume to max which is numbered 30 on the screen and then carry on with adjusting the volume from the head unit as before disregarding what is stated in the user manual.

3. Out of the three transfer options, micro SD card, USB memory stick and Bluetooth, Bluetooth connection to a phone is more convenient. Whit the phone mounted on the dash its easer to select files and tracks with the phone's music player app. Unfortunately if you need the phone's Bluetooth to to connect to something else as I do, (car kit), then there the other two memory options to use.

4. If you using a memory option, then when you power up the unit unless you in the unit's Bluetooth mode the unit states in a nice voice " waiting for paring" not a big issue but it does it every time.

5. Using the micro SD card after downloading all my CD files I found that I couldn't move from file to file therefore unable to play any tracks. The identical data was place a small memory stick the it was straight away possible to move from file to file, moving 'into the file selection interface' to quote the mini user guide is by a 'long press' on the Play/Pause button... the other playing features are reached with a short - long press.

6. The memory card issue is I believe because of the low speed, the card I had spare is Kingston 8gb class 4 which seemed to give issues with the dash cams I've had, so will look for a replacement card, perhaps borrow an expensive one from a camera to try ,in the meantime I will use the memory stick.

The FM unit won't be replacing my multi CD play, but will get used some time, it would handy to take your music with you when borrowing another vehicle.

discool said:

All done, plugged the FM unit in on Sunday but it was so cold in finally finish this even, it may only take 3 minutes to plug and pair to Bluetooth but checking that the other facilities work and how to access take a little bit longer.

So what did I find. 1. Brilliant sound reproduction without any interference what so ever even with the engine running.

2. Just adjust the units volume to max which is numbered 30 on the screen and then carry on with adjusting the volume from the head unit as before disregarding what is stated in the user manual.

3. Out of the three transfer options, micro SD card, USB memory stick and Bluetooth, Bluetooth connection to a phone is more convenient. Whit the phone mounted on the dash its easer to select files and tracks with the phone's music player app. Unfortunately if you need the phone's Bluetooth to to connect to something else as I do, (car kit), then there the other two memory options to use.

4. If you using a memory option, then when you power up the unit unless you in the unit's Bluetooth mode the unit states in a nice voice " waiting for paring" not a big issue but it does it every time.

5. Using the micro SD card after downloading all my CD files I found that I couldn't move from file to file therefore unable to play any tracks. The identical data was place a small memory stick the it was straight away possible to move from file to file, moving 'into the file selection interface' to quote the mini user guide is by a 'long press' on the Play/Pause button... the other playing features are reached with a short - long press.

6. The memory card issue is I believe because of the low speed, the card I had spare is Kingston 8gb class 4 which seemed to give issues with the dash cams I've had, so will look for a replacement card, perhaps borrow an expensive one from a camera to try ,in the meantime I will use the memory stick.

The FM unit won't be replacing my multi CD play, but will get used some time, it handy to take your music with you when borrowing another vehicle.

Click to expand...

My son castigated me and suggested I use on of his "family" spotify accounts and link my phone via BluTooth rather than copy my stuff to cards etc. But I am "Old-Skool".
I have my 6 Favourite CD's in the auto-changer and the Nulaxy with 32GB of assorted tracks too.
I think I can probably get my Rolling Stone Mags top 500 tracks on that.

Ok, just to add to my #13 post, re my iffy micro SD card, well the card was reformatted and the music files download loaded again to the card, and it works perfectly I can now access the CD files with a long press of the pause button, so it shows not to condemn the card straight away.
The FM unit now works perfectly... so if you don't have an existing CD player I can recommend this unit for your MP3 recorded stuff, of course there similar kit that presumably is just as good... I'm amazed with this technology so thanks to 'DanClarke' post for the info on this product in #3 post