stereo repair/replacement?
 

I like the look of the stock stereo, not a big audio guy so I don't need all the sound capability in the world... My stock radio works barely if the volume is turned all the way up you can almost hear it. Does anyone repair the stock head unit?

If not what is the most stock looking stock replacement?

We went for a late model OEM from I think a mazda 6, I'd have to look back.
Anyway, it looked to be the same radio as the late model RX7s.
Had to cut the din bar to make it a double din, but easy. Plenty of late model
radios on ebay. We have the pix of the work if you decide to go that route.
It looks stock, has the updated cd player etc. Plus -- if you have the Bose, you can find
Bose models that work with the factory speakers, that's the model we used.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...dioredo020.jpg

I think there may be places that do generic car stereo repair out there that might be able to help.

I've put in a '90s 626 head unit with a CD (no tape) in a guy's FD once, plug and play. Only downside was the display was green instead of amber.

Or, just look for a good used one, there's obviously a lot of FD head units out there, you might be able to find one used that's still working properly/low mileage.

BTW, true JDM head units will physically work but they use a different range of frequencies for radio, like 78mhz-89mhz or something weird. It's useless as a radio in the US.

Dale

Here's a pic of the Spirit R radio, same look as the one we used.
Dale is right about the light, there are different colors -- a local radio guy can simply change the color though. I think there was a write up sometime back about doing it yourself.

Attachment 717131

A few years ago, Mazda was selling oem stereo head units at Sevenstock for next to nothing (maybe $25). They were brand new. They were donated to some sort of fund raising activity. If you are going to Sevenstock, or know someone that is going, that might be a source for a good oem stereo.

Are they still doing Sevenstock?

You might look into the Nakamichi head units. They have a very OEM feel to them:

https://www.rx7club.com/interior-exterior-audio-26/nakamichi-cd-400-those-who-prefer-oem-look-574519/

^Nak 400 still going strong. But my daughter finally brought me into the late 20th Century with a MP3. If I could do it again, I'd go with the 500 which is identical except it's MP3 capable.

even if you are not big into audio, don't you want a radio with a USB port?
I see no reason not to unless it' track only and you don't have a cell phone
take a look at ebay perhaps, that is where i sold all my OEM stereo parts and they sell well

If your looking to keep the stock head unit you can have it sent to

http://www.unitedradio.com/automotive/

I gave them a call giving them the model number on my head unit. They were kind and had very good turn around. I first heard of them from the NSX forum and tried it myself. I ripped the cable out of the circuit board and they were even able to replace that! Kinda pricey though I spent about $250 on the repair just on the CD portion but I now have a fully working unit in my car.

WHAT? I would love to have a brand new unit, if anyone has one or can get one pm me please!

I got a Protege 5 radio with 6cd indash for 40$ on ebay. It look stock and illuminate just like stock but you have to mess up with wiring.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1.../DSC_4208_.jpg

I think the single-DIN CD player from a newer Miata or 626 would match the RX-7's interior. Not sure if the lighting matches, or if the wiring would be easy or not.

http://miata.fosketts.net/index.php?...M32.2C_4M32.29

I have my original touring model stuff I might part with. It wasnt very loud but that was probably because my car only came with one bose door speaker and it had no amp. Cd player took cds in and out fine but I never got it to produce sound, always showed an error. I believe its because it cant read cdw disks though.

If you go with an aftermarket head unit find one that lets you change the illumination color. My double din kenwood in my 3000gt does and i got it to match perfectly. It allows you to change the color in small amounts to create "custom" colors

Salvage yards are definitely a good place to look, usually when you walk into the 'office' part of them they'll have hundreds of different head units all semi-categorized.....

I am not sure what you mean by 'mess up with wiring',but it is easy to make a transition harness from the original harness to the protege5/626/millenia radio.cost about $12.

I made a transition harness by myself exactly like your but it is not easy for everyone. I just want to say that it's not plug-&-play!

its a millenia radio, im going to find one at a junk yard mine is starting to go out and the CD player is not working.

I know this thread is a bit old
but I was browsing around and I saw this 99 spec radio that looks close to stock
thought I might post it
I have no idea if it works with the bose system and the inline amps

Wow I really like the look of the newer OEM units...hmmm

JDM headunits do not work in the US because of the different operating frequencys.


John

If any one is looking to do the Miata/Protege radio, the reverse plugs are kind of hard to find. I have 2 BNIB ones stting in my shed some where. I love the look of those radios. There is some one in ebay that sells the non-Bose radio with aux input.

I did a write-up a long time ago on how to wire up a newer OEM head unit. Might be helpful for some still looking to make a swap. I also have a Miata Bose unit already wired and ready to go, if anyone is interested.

Thread is here: https://www.rx7club.com/interior-exterior-audio-26/bose-modular-din-radio-install-513449/

I found a new-in-box '94 626 head unit on eBay for $40 a few years ago. It lights up blue, but it's plug-and-play with the stock CD player and wiring.