Newbie question: Who makes Mazda in-dash 6 disc changer?

[P5_Blues]

Hi all,
I'm new to this group with a three week "new" 2003.5 Pro5. As I'm getting ready to do some upgrade on the sound system, I was wondering does anybody know who the supplier is for Mazda's 6-disc changer? And any specs on that would also be really apreciated. Thanx in advance! Great Forum, BTW.

 

[Mike R]

Depends on the number on the face. If you search there are a few posts about it. I believe mine's a panasonic.

 

[ahb11m]

there are three suppliers, depending on who is on strike at the time of your cars manufacture.. your head unit also has 3 different manufacturers... unless you have the stock kenwood - which says kenwood

if you have the double DIN unit, the supplier is printed on the stereo itself, on the out side... all you need to do is find some 4 digit code thats printed on the top right of the LCD display and you have the supplier.. it will be either 1, 2, 4
which is :-
1 - panasonic
2 - clarion
4 - FMS audio (a pioneer audio company)

 

[P5_Blues]

Hello again,
I just bumped into this post dated 08-08-03:

Originally posted by Natey
Welcome to the party, spacerabbit

My very first mod was to swap out those bad paper-cone speakers for some Focals. It made a huge difference. The stock speaker size is 5x7 in the front doors, and 6.5" in the rear doors. Also, 6.5s will fit in the front doors with an adapter, no problem.
The HU in the P5 is made by (anyone correct me if I'm wrong) Nakamichi, so it's definately up to the task of putting out some good sound.
One suggestion: If you don't have a stock subwoofer, find one. I have an Infinity Basslink and although it doesn't bump the neighborhood, it sure does add to the music...ya gots ta have some low-end


Have fun!

Is Natey correct about the Nakamichi made 6-disc changer HU on the Pro5? The one I have is Model#1165. Does that means it's made by Panasonic? Thanx again.

 

[Poseur]

perhaps this will help, I'm not 100% sure, but I've always been of the impression that Clarion was made by Nakamici. so any of those "2" labeled ones (like mine actualy, hey that's cool) are made by nak for clarion for mazda? Hmm. damn why'd I get rid of that stock deck again?

 

[1sty]

I have never heard of Nak making clarion.
All the units will be basicly the same as they are built to spec, regardless of the manufacturer.
The rumors of Nak being involved in any way were never proven.

 

[P5_Blues]

So far I have no hard evidence to back it up either, but my gut feelings tell me that, aside from Lexus, Nak has never supplied to any other car makes any of its products. Nak or not, in the meantime, I'll just leave the stock HU intact and hook my iPod up to the cassette player with an adapter. Just swapping out the front and rear speakers with some Infinity's for now and see how that sounds. The stock HU has enough power to drive the Infinity Reference Series speakers, yes? Thanx again for all the inputs, guys.http://www.protege5.com/vbb230/misc.php?action=getsmilies&s=#

 

[1sty]

Yes the reference will be fine, like any speaker more power will help. The determining factor will be the level you listen at.

An FM modulator will be a better quality signal then the tape adapter.

 

[P5_Blues]

Sorry for the link, Stupid me! I'm still new to all this stuff.

 

[Poseur]

As far as hooking up an Ipod, I know there's a company out there I believe US spec or somethingorother... the same who makes factory-compatible changer modulators, who makes rca input adapters to plug into the "aux in" changer, cassette, or md section of stock decks. Seeing as ours have a plug-in where the tape deck or md would go, I'd assume that they COULD possibly make one so you could have rca ins then use a minijack-rca plug from the ipod itself. If you really felt like it, you could pretty easily mount either rca plugs or perhaps even a minijack into the plate that's in there, although it'd be cleaner just to go out the back.

Again, this is all IF they actually do make such an adapter, I know they've got many outthere for other cars. The book my stereoshop friend had didn't have ours listed, but it wasn't entirely current. I'd assume being kinda a generic factory deck kinda setup, if they don't already have one, ours is possibly on the way.

 

[P5_Blues]

Hey Poseur, where did you get your DaveB's instrument rings from? Were they easy to install? Do you happen to have a link to the website? I'd like to see what his offerings are for our P5 gauges. I really like the ones available for the Miatas (made by some other ouffits). Thanx in advance.

 

[Poseur]

Not sure if he posts in this forum or not, but I'm a recent crossover from the protegeclub.com forums. DaveB's just a member of them who happens to make the rings in his spare time for fun. Here's a thread link:
http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17013

If you want some login there, and send him a PM. I'm seriously impressed with the quality and thouroughness, he's apparantly pretty meticulous. Sent the 3 well-packaged manufacture dated rings as well as a cdrom with videos of the entire install process. made doing it a snap to someone who's never been bold enough to go behind that magic little clear piece of plastic before. I really can't rave enough. amazing experience for buying somethign so simple. The thread hints that the brushed ones aren't as nice looking, but I for one SERIOUSLY like them. I don't think there's any pics of the brushed posted. I'll grab my digicam from work tomorrow and see if I can get a couple for you. I do think, though that he may be running out of material, and he seems to want to get out of the manufacturing of his same-ol' and into something else like pedals or something, so you might want to grab them while you can. I promise you that they're worth it. I actually pay palled him a tip 'cause I didn't think he charged enough.

 

[Poseur]

Here's a pic of Dave's polished set.

<img src=http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid41/p2627b6755bb67c6e82fe5dbd3f885898/fcf960f9.jpg>

Like I said, mine are brushed, the finish just about matches the matted silver trim on our cars. They look like they were meant to be there. Cooler still is that at night with the lights on they glow reddish with the instruments.

 

[P5_Blues]

Wow! That looks awesome! Talk about a Touch O' Class. I really dig how they provide just enough accent to the rest of the instrument cluster. If the rings in actuality look anything like what the pix shows, I'll be grinning ear to ear every time I'm behind the wheel, then (that is if I can still get 'em). I'll start hunting DaveB down on both this and the other forum then. Thanx alot for the quick response!

 

[P5_Blues]

hey 1st mp3...oops! I meant MP3,

According to Giffin Technology (they make accessories for iPods and Macs), tape adapters are a better choice than FM transmitters. Here's a quote from their FAQ's website:

'Q:What is the quality of the audio when played through the iTrip! Is it better than FM?

A:Simply put, FM radio is not the best quality audio in the world. It lacks some high and low frequencies, it has a fairly poor signal-to-noise ratio and it is no where near CD quality. The iTrip simply creates a mini FM radio station on top of your iPod, therefore it will never sound any better that the best FM radio station you've ever heard.However, it still sounds pretty good. With a clear frequency the iTrip will deliver your iPods music at a surprisingly clear and high level of quality.And unless you have an AUX input or cassette adapter - it's the ONLY way to play your iPod in your car. As far as comparing the iTrip to 'other' FM transmitters, the iTrip's sound quality will win every time.'

Personally, I find that to be true as well. I've listened to some CD changers with the FM modulators set-ups and was never impressed with the sound quality output. Just thought I'd share that piece of info that might also be of interest to whom-ever. Thanx for reading.

 

[1sty]

I didn't say FM transmitter, I said FM modualtors.
THey are talking about FM transmitters, not modualtors.

 

[P5_Blues]

Sorry, this may sound ignorant, but either way, the audio signal still has to go through the FM section of the HU, right? What makes the sound quality of a 'modulator' set-up better than that from a 'transmitter'?

 

[1sty]

The transmitter actualy produces a FM audio singla in the car, which is where the singnal is chopped. Then it broad cast it to the radio. A FM modulator uses the antenna wire to directly connect to the head unit. It is never in the Air.

Keep in mind this is an experience observation. In all installs I have done the FM modualtor has been much better then a tape adapter.

 

[P5_Blues]

Aah, so I see. Thanx for clearing that up for me, 1st MP3.(thumb)

 

[1sty]

as always, you are welcome