I think I've read every post related to C3 radio upgrades. My '72 convertible stock AM/FM mono radio works fine, it just doesn't have the sound I'm wanting and it is not iphone compatible. I tried several of those devices from Radio Shack that allow the iphone to play through the radio. None of those worked very well and I still had a less than desirable sound. I like the looks and features of one radio shown in Eckler's catalog item #56204 priced at $600. I was told this radio is supplied to Ecklers by Antique Automobile Radios, Inc. It's a bit more than I was wanting to pay but I have a birthday coming up soon and it would be a nice gift to myself; it would also help stimulate the economy.

Has any forum members had any experience with this radio? Is it worth the price?

Thanks for your feedback.
Dr

 

Personally I send my original radios out for this conversion if that is what the customer want and is not worrying about having it converted.

Installing it may be a bit tricky and I talked with Gary about it beacsue when the radio is going back in...the out ports for a Iphone or whatever were right in the way of the air duct for you floor heater outlet. SO I had to open it up and put new ones in a different place to make it so when I attached the cables to these ports...they were not interfering in any way. Other than that...the radio sound great and is powerful

http://www.garytayman.com/stereo.htm

DUB

 

i have that radio, but thru willcox, got it on one of their 4th july sales couple years ago.
nothing but trouble with it,
was broken in the box when it arrived, not willcox's fault, was in a seperate AAR box inside the the main package.
the shafts were loose, no red dial needle and something rattling around in side...
sent back to AAR from downunder, almost 100$ postage later, waited another 5 weeks to replace.
worked fine for a while, 2-3 months.
now the external input dosent respont like it should, and when it does it's so quiet that it's almost impossible to hear.
karnt turn it up more than 2/3 due to distortion.
have contacted AAR again and they gave me the details of a local (still the other side of the country to me) bloke to look at it.
havent heard back from him in over 5 months.
not going to sent it back again.

but they do have a new output board with rca outputs that mine dosent

i have bought a "iSimple" antenna inline box for now.

 

I have a 69 and purchased a replacement bezel which had a modified cutout for a standard replacement radio. I went with a aftermarket Pioneer unit with a USB connection 6 years ago. I am sure there are a lot more choices now. I just stored my original bezel and radio and have no complaints about my pioneer system. I also replaced the kick panel speakers and added some speakers in the back. My iPhone connects and plays through the USB as well as charges. I took a look and the bezels have really gone up in price, but still a cheaper and better solution than modifying the OEM unless you really want the original look. The Pioneer really looks nice with the new LED lamps I just installed in my instrument panel and gauge cluster.

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps3a92ebd7.jpg

 

At $600 it would probably be a lot cheaper to buy a really nice aftermarket head unit, and a replacement panel which you could cut out to install it. Then is you ever want to go back to the stock setup, just reinstall the stock panel. That's what I did for my '79. Gauge cluster bezel cost me about $90. Nice aftermarket stereo was about $200. Your bezel will run about $120. Nice system and you save $280 which of course you will spend on speakers, amps, etc.

 

I went with the USA-630 II* 300 watt head unit, and drive 4 speakers with it. It also has mp3 support via a USB dongle. I mounted the USB in the ashtray with a few other goodies.

[IMG][/IMG]

I then took the jack storage unit and converted it into a sub box.

[IMG][/IMG]

I can now hear the radio with the top up OR down!

 

Not worth it for $600 IMHO. TX-Techman has it right.

Save the original bezel with radio. Then purchase new bezel with radio opening for radio that meets your wants. There are a LOT more choices going this route. Almost any single DIN radio you want. Only thing that will not fit without a custom hand made bezel is a double DIN.

Let me say the one nice thing about the stock radio is that it locks the bezel and radio into place nicely. You will need to get creative with brackets to secure an aftermarket radio in place properly. No big deal but something to think about.

Bill

 

Nicely done. How much metal did you need to remove to get the speakers in the kick panel location?

Bill

 

This is where my Pro-Flow ECU resides, but I have room for a sub left. It would be nice to hear it with the top down :-)

 

Thanks guys for all the good feedback. I think I will re-consider and explore other options. If I spend $600 on a unit, I want to hear over whelming customer satisfaction. You guys may has just saved me a lot of head aches. Thanks to all for taking the time to respond.

 

Patro46, tell me about the connection to the factory harness. According to Ecklers, NOTE: 1977 Early Corvettes have to be wired directly to factory harness. Late Corvettes will plug directly into factory harness without any modifications. Curious if you had to chop up the factory harness to connect this USA-630???

 

Over the years, I have toyed with the idea of installing a modern final-stage amplifier and feeding it with the signal wire going to the 'convector' unit under the right side dash. I don't really need a lot of power; it would just be nice to get decent fidelity from the pre-amp signal created by the stock Delco rig.

Until now, I haven't found a simple, small final stage amp that would fit behind the right-side dash panel. BUT, NOW I HAVE!! I just received a small stereo amp that has volume, treble, bass and balance controls, AND has RCA pin inputs plus an MP3 input socket.

I have the schematic for the '72 Corvette radio and it appears to be a simple 'dump' to the new amp module. That signal line has a DC voltage component on it that needs to be isolated with an in-line capacitor; but that's a simple item to deal with.

Since it is about 0*F here in TN, right now, I won't be working on it for a few more days. But, I will create a thread on this alternative audio system approach to let folks know:

1. IF it works,
2. How well it works,
3. What modifications need to be done (as of right now, there is no need to remove or get inside the radio head unit !!)
4. Specifics on the amp and how to get one.

Don't know if that approach has any interest for you, but the stock radio tuner and pre-amp should be as good as anyone would need for an audio system inside a Corvette. The output stage fidelity, power output, speakers and optional inputs would be a nice addition, however.

 

I have previously replaced my C3 Retro Radio with an Antique Automobile Radio and have been fairly happy.

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Have tried different speakers while experimenting but now have plate speakers in the dash with capacitors to minimise bass distortion and 5.25" in the kick panels. The inbuilt 45x45 amp is actually reasonably good and produces a clean sound (clean enough for inside the noise Vette anyway)

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However it just needed a bit more bass to round out the sound.

So, I have been looking how to add a bit more bass without loosing any real space or taking the look of the interior away from stock. Like the kick panel speakers I don't want them to be seen at all.

I purchased an all in one sub box a while back but was unable to work out how to hide it so the project went on the back burner.

However last week while looking through eBay I found the Kenwood KSC-SW11 that looked compact but had reasonable reviews and looked like it could go under the seat.



In fact it does fit under the seat but the clearance to seat spings is not enough for my liking so that option was gone.

Till I looked at the storage box behind the passenger seat.

The Kenwood unit is exactly the right size for the box. It won't go all the way in but sat about right, so i made some craftwood supports and fitted them to the storage box.









The box fits perfectly now and allows the lid to close. Wiring is easy and it can be lifted out from its tight fit to get to items below it in the storage box or even unplugged if not needed.









And how does it sound.

Excellent, rounds out the sound perfectly.

Now keep in mind I am not after true bass boom, just a full sound in the car.

If I wanted heavy bass i would need a proper sub box etc.

This is just a nice clean system that can be heard while driving and offers clean well rounded sound.

 

Well I can say stay away from the KHE type radios, POS.

I ended up with the Retro Sound Model Two and its perfect so far. Bluetooth with microphone and you can still hear each other perfectly with top down and straight flow Dynomax's. USB and IPOD ready etc...

No bezel mods needed either. Around $400.