Hello, I am a new member to the forum. I have read topics in the past but have decided to join and participate. I would like to compliment all of the people who check the forum regularly and help people like me. THANK YOU for your help. Now to my business. I have a 2001 C5 Coupe. I have the factory stereo with cassette player. I have the Bose speaker system. I also have the factory 12 disk changer. I am planning to change the HU and the disk changer and keep the bose amps and speakers. I know many of you will not be happy with my choice but I have already enjoyed the thrill of a high powered tri-amped system in a previous vehicle and I am older and don't want to be tempted to lose any more hearing! Although there is nothing like feeling the kick drum in your chest to the point that it makes you ill. Anyway.....the HU I have selected is the Pioneer Premier DEH-P780MP. The CD Changer I have selected is the Pioneer CDX-P1280. I have read many posts and topics on various stereos people have been using as well as installations. However, after reading these GREAT descriptions I still have a few questions. May I also say that "Scott_fx" FAQ thread greatly helped to reduce my questions. Thank you in advance for your help.

1. In a post from "jawzforlife" in which he described the install of his
Alpine HU he says that he used the Soundgate GMCRV1. In a post
from "Audio Dave" he recommends using the Peripheral SVEN3
adapter and the Peripheral SVHGM4 wiring harness.
DOES THE SOUNDGATE DEVICE TAKE THE PLACE OF BOTH
PERIPHERAL DEVICES? My inclination is that the Soundgate
device would serve the same function as the adapter and that the
wiring harness would need to be used in my particular install because
I am replacing the CD Changer but I am not sure. I saw that the cost
of both peripheral devices is much less than the Soundgate device.
IS THERE ANY NOTICABLE DIFFERENCE IN THE SOUND QUALITY
OR EASE OF INSTALLATION WITH EITHER BRAND SELECTION?

2. DOES ANYONE KNOW OF A GOOD INSTALLER IN THE METRO
PHOENIX ARIZONA AREA? as i do not want to do this myself.

3. WILL I NOTICE A "NOTICABLE" DIFFERENCE IN SOUND QUALITY
BY MERELY CHANGING THE STOCK HU TO THE PIONEER PREMIER
UNIT?

4. CAN THE PIONEER CD CHANGER BE EASILY TIED INTO THE
EXISTING WIRE HARNESS OR DOES IT HAVE TO BE REPLACED WITH
A NEW WIRING HARNESS SUCH AS THE PERIPHERAL SVHGM4?

5. IS THERE ANY STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR WIRING IN THE
CD CHANGER OR IS IS PRETTY SELF EXPLANITORY? and where
would these instructions be located?

That is basically it. I figure that I probably can't go wrong with having the following devices:

PIONEER PREMIER DEHP780MP HU
PIONEER CDX-P1280 12 DISK CD CHANGER
MOUNTING KIT: METRA #99-3300
ADAPTER: PERIPHERAL #SVEN2
WIRING HARNESS: PERIPHERAL #SVHGM4
ANTENNA ADAPTER: METRA #40-GM10

and by following "jawzforlife" basic instructions for changing the HU.


Thank you for your help.
John in Arizona (johninaz)

 

First off, excellent choice on the H/U. The factory plugs will most likely not work, however you can utilize the wires already run provided there are enough of them and just splice your plugs on each end making sure you get both ends to the right place. I've read some guys not getting full bass with the aftermarket to factory system. I'm wondering if you wouldn't be beter off changing the speakers also and running them off deck power. I believe that unit is 50x4. Although that would leave you without a sub. I have a theory that a small op amp could be placed in line to boost the voltage signal to the bose signal processor to get the factory speakers to come alive. I have not worked it all out since I will be changing out my whole system.

 

Ok Soundgate and Peripheral are they same thing. The peripheral is just a 2 part piece a module and then a vehicle speicfic hanress, where as the soundgate is all one piece. They both work great, I like the soundgate its the one I used.

When you have this installed make sure you bring this soundgate some installers will try and install without and the bose subs will never work right.

Sound quality will be better with the aftermarket radio I would say its noticable

You will need to run the new harness that comes with the pioneer cd changer, your old one will be useless at this point. Take it out with the changer sell em on ebay for a pretty penny.

CD Changer wiring is basically you run the cable plug it into the back of the radio (it has a specific jack) and the other endinto the cd changer

Best of luck to you

 

Thank you both for your help. I sincerely appreciate it. I will let you know how things go. THANKS AGAIN!