Re:CD player

["Christopher E. Cieurzo" <ccieurzo@moose.uvm.edu>]

In reference to a question posted on Friday, no it is not currently 
possible to attach an aftermarket CD player directly to the head unit of 
the factory stereo. Audi uses a unique communication protocol and wiring 
harness. Later on someone may make an adaptor that will allow you to plug 
in, but these generally run in the $150-$200 price range and are 
available for other makes and models of cars. Right now, your choices are 
limited:
	1) Replace the entire system (Audi has put their amps on the 
	speakers and I have been told by numerous installers that there 
	is no way to bypass them). This is the most expensive route.

	2) Buy an aftermarket FM modulated CD unit that plays through the 
	radio on a set frequency. However, you are limited to the 
	frequency response of your FM tuner (about 20-15k Hz). Seems like 
	kind of a waste of a CD player's ability. This is the second least 
	expensive option.

	3) Suck it up and shell out the $700 (including installation) for 
	the Audi player. At least it works with the existing head unit 
	and sounds good. Second most expensive route.

	4) Cheapest route: do nothing.

On a related subject, I thank whoever passed my complaint about the 
CD player skipping along to the Audi Products Planning Manager. He let me 
know that the problem was most likely due to the installation. The same 
CD player is used in both the A4 and A6 and is mounted horizontally in 
the former and vertically in the latter. He said that the installer 
probably did not make the adjustments necessary for horizontal mounting. 
We'll see if he was right.

Chris
96 A4q
92 CBR600F2

"Speed doesn't kill, speed differential does."