USA-630 or some engineering...

skywalker · Dec 22, 2010

I am almost done with my '66 (done as in, I can drive it ont he regular if not every day.) So It has a USA-6 that the previous owner put in it. I hate it.

Unfortunately, I really don't want to cut the dash.

The consensus a long time ago was that Custom Auto Sound radios sucked and my experience has born that out. However, I've heard some rumbling that the newer ones aren't as bad. I'm looking at the USA-630 as a possibility. My alternate plans:

a) design my own - I'm an electrical engineer, it'll be time consuming as hell but I'll get a head unit that does only what I need (i.e. no cd or cassette) and doesn't require cutting the dash.

or

b) Take a unit with a detachable faceplate (I have one in mind), solder wires to the unit from the faceplate, mount the unit in one location and find a way to mount the faceplate on the dash.

I got the inspiration for (b) from someone who had done something similar, but they left a radio in the dash and just used the faceplate as a remote. I don't like that method for a couple of reasons.

(a) would be a royal PITA to do.

So does anyone have any experience or opinion on the USA-630? I'm not looking for competition quality, but something other than suck would be nice.

horseballz · Dec 23, 2010

I hear much better reports on the Retrosound units than any Custom Auto Sound stuff, new or old. And, unfortunately, the Kenwood stuff that's available has NO aux inputs.

RetroSoundUSA.com - 1968-79 FORD F250 & F100 Truck Retrosound Model One Am/FM Radio w/ Infinimount Bracket System

HTH,
Gene

iskwezm · Dec 23, 2010

skywalker said:
or

b) Take a unit with a detachable faceplate (I have one in mind), solder wires to the unit from the faceplate, mount the unit in one location and find a way to mount the faceplate on the dash.

I got the inspiration for (b) from someone who had done something similar, but they left a radio in the dash and just used the faceplate as a remote. I don't like that method for a couple of reasons.

(a) would be a royal PITA to do.

Its not that hard. We do it on custom installs. All you to is get a ribbon cable and some minor soldering, maybe 6-12 wires.

tx65coupe · Dec 23, 2010

I think when I get one it will be the Retrosound one. I keep hearing much better things about them.

skywalker · Dec 23, 2010

iskwezm: the soldering doesnt phase me. How do you suggest I mount the faceplate though?I was thing a [iece of ABS and some short shaft screws...

My problem with Retrosound is that I would have to plug my iPod into an aux jack and control it directly - total no go for me. I want to be able to shove my iPod in the glove compartment and leave it.

mysavioreigns · Dec 23, 2010

iskwezm said:
Its not that hard. We do it on custom installs. All you to is get a ribbon cable and some minor soldering, maybe 6-12 wires.

That's a pretty neat idea...anyone have a picture of this?

skywalker · Dec 23, 2010

mysavioreigns said:
That's a pretty neat idea...anyone have a picture of this?

It's been done before...I saw pictures from a site linked on here.

iskwezm · Dec 23, 2010

skywalker said:
iskwezm: the soldering doesnt phase me. How do you suggest I mount the faceplate though?I was thing a [iece of ABS and some short shaft screws...

My problem with Retrosound is that I would have to plug my iPod into an aux jack and control it directly - total no go for me. I want to be able to shove my iPod in the glove compartment and leave it.

on one car YEARS ago, i made the dash speaker grill hinged and mounted it under that with a fiberglass housing

ive also put them in the rear view mirror or visor

skywalker · Dec 23, 2010

iskwezm said:
on one car YEARS ago, i made the dash speaker grill hinged and mounted it under that with a fiberglass housing

ive also put them in the rear view mirror or visor

I'm thinking I find a way to put it right on the dash. I want no one to be the wiser that i didn't cut the dash.

PoppyMod · Dec 23, 2010

skywalker said:
I am almost done with my '66 (done as in, I can drive it ont he regular if not every day.) So It has a USA-6 that the previous owner put in it. I hate it.

Unfortunately, I really don't want to cut the dash.

The consensus a long time ago was that Custom Auto Sound radios sucked and my experience has born that out. However, I've heard some rumbling that the newer ones aren't as bad. I'm looking at the USA-630 as a possibility. My alternate plans:

a) design my own - I'm an electrical engineer, it'll be time consuming as hell but I'll get a head unit that does only what I need (i.e. no cd or cassette) and doesn't require cutting the dash.

Take a unit with a detachable faceplate (I have one in mind), solder wires to the unit from the faceplate, mount the unit in one location and find a way to mount the faceplate on the dash.

I got the inspiration for (b) from someone who had done something similar, but they left a radio in the dash and just used the faceplate as a remote. I don't like that method for a couple of reasons.

(a) would be a royal PITA to do.

So does anyone have any experience or opinion on the USA-630? I'm not looking for competition quality, but something other than suck would be nice.

Or, you could have your OEM upgrade with modern electronics to give you Fader, Balance, 140 WATTS / channel and MP3 capabilities.
I've done this. It works, it fits, it looks OEM, but functions like a modern radio.

skywalker · Dec 23, 2010

PoppyMod said:
Or, you could have your OEM upgrade with modern electronics to give you Fader, Balance, 140 WATTS / channel and MP3 capabilities.
I've done this. It works, it fits, it looks OEM, but functions like a modern radio.

Define OEM upgrade?

PoppyMod · Dec 24, 2010

skywalker said:
Define OEM upgrade?

About two years ago, being not happy with all of the tune box selections, I decided to search for a OEM radio upgrade conversion alternative. I wanted to keep the "look and feel" of my stock '65 radio. but, have the modern attributes. I found a guy in PA, who will gut the factory radio and install modern capabilities, all the while the radio looks stock. The only way you can tell it's different is when turned on, there is a tiny led in the station selection strip that lights to indicate station strength. As mentioned,it has 4 channels, FADER, BALANCE, a MP3 port, 140 Watts/ channel and an auto-on antenna power feature. This last feature can be used for other accessories, but, I use it for my auto-antenna.
Not wanting to "gut" my OEM radio, I bought a donor for $25. shipped it to him.
It's very clever how you change the balance from left to right and fade the sound from front to rear with using the existing tuning knobs. It's not cheap, but then, our hobby, if one wants moder tunes with a little perfection, doesn't care. PM me for costs and the name. I Googled for this conversion.
Happy Motoring!

skywalker · Dec 24, 2010

PoppyMod said:
About two years ago, being not happy with all of the tune box selections, I decided to search for a OEM radio upgrade conversion alternative. I wanted to keep the "look and feel" of my stock '65 radio. but, have the modern attributes. I found a guy in PA, who will gut the factory radio and install modern capabilities, all the while the radio looks stock. The only way you can tell it's different is when turned on, there is a tiny led in the station selection strip that lights to indicate station strength. As mentioned,it has 4 channels, FADER, BALANCE, a MP3 port, 140 Watts/ channel and an auto-on antenna power feature. This last feature can be used for other accessories, but, I use it for my auto-antenna.
Not wanting to "gut" my OEM radio, I bought a donor for $25. shipped it to him.
It's very clever how you change the balance from left to right and fade the sound from front to rear with using the existing tuning knobs. It's not cheap, but then, our hobby, if one wants moder tunes with a little perfection, doesn't care. PM me for costs and the name. I Googled for this conversion.
Happy Motoring!

By MP3 port, I'm guessing you mean an aux input - something I am specifically avoiding by ruling out the Retrosound radios. I want to be able to control my ipod fromt he dash.

I'd seen a couple places that does this before, but it's not really for me since it doesn't have my features.

iskwezm · Dec 25, 2010

there is no way in hell ANY head unit will put out 140 watts per channel

skywalker · Dec 25, 2010

iskwezm said:
there is no way in hell ANY head unit will put out 140 watts per channel

Sure it will...for about 5ms before the amp circuitry blows.

PoppyMod · Dec 26, 2010

iskwezm said:
there is no way in hell ANY head unit will put out 140 watts per channel

Thanks for pointing out my mistake. It should have read 40.
Happy New Year!

iskwezm · Dec 26, 2010

even at 40 watts, its still maybe gonna put out about 15-20 max.Theres no wat they could fit the coils and capacitors in the radio chassis to actually make that power.

tx65coupe · Jan 25, 2011

I agree with what Iskwezm just said. I have no idea why the aftermarket radios claim the put out 50 watts per channel. I have a Kenwood that I really like that claims 40 per channel. I have a 100 watt 50 by 2 Optimus amp for my rear 6x9s and its twice as much power as with out the amp. I know some of you may make fun of the Radio Shack amp, but I have tried a couple other more powerful amps like a 200 watt Pioneer and they didn't sound as good as the Optimus.

iskwezm · Jan 25, 2011

tx65coupe said:
I agree with what Iskwezm just said. I have no idea why the aftermarket radios claim the put out 50 watts per channel. I have a Kenwood that I really like that claims 40 per channel. I have a 100 watt 50 by 2 Optimus amp for my rear 6x9s and its twice as much power as with out the amp. I know some of you may make fun of the Radio Shack amp, but I have tried a couple other more powerful amps like a 200 watt Pioneer and they didn't sound as good as the Optimus.

They claim 50 watts per channel, becasue buying those are not into car audio and have no clue.So they see that and think they now have a 200 watt stereo. It MIGHT put out 50 watts per channel at more then 1% THD which is full blast and sounding like worse crap then a normal volume.Its marketing and hoping people call for it.

tx65coupe · Jan 26, 2011

It probably is just marketing hype.

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