Hi guys,

Has anyone tried to match a CD Changer (say Alpine) with another manufacturer's head unit (say JVC)?
I am wanting to do this but have been reading that some CD Changers are not compatible while others need a special cable (Ai-NET or MNIN-BUS). Some use an FM Modulator connection while others use direct connection which is claimed to be much better. As there aren't too many CD Changers on the market I don't want to waste any money buying the wrong unit.

Some advice please?

I imagine they all use their own systems for interconnectivity so that you need to buy the head unit and CD changer as a matched pair.

CD changers are less popular now that they used to be, they are no longer "leading edge" car audio technology.
They have been superseded by head units that play MP3s off CD (like 15 albums to a CD), and units with SD memory card/USB/Ipod/bluetooth connectivity.
(A $5 8Gb USB stick can hold a lot of songs. Some recent models have done away with the CD player altogether because USB/Ipod connectivity does the same, only better.)

Guess I'm suggesting you do some research on Google before you invest in old technology.

Thanks, I am a audio/CD freak and I have hundreds of them. However, given your comments regarding the USB and MP3 capability which my new JVC has, I think you are right that I should use the technology that the head unit has a it seems a whole lot easier.

However, I do have some technical knowledge about this and my issue with using USB/Mp3, is the quality of the sound production. From my understanding a CD uses a sampling rate of 44.1 KHz, while most Mp3 music uses a bit rate of 128bps. This means that the Mp3 file is substantially compressed which compromises the sound quality. The consequence of compressing a music file is that there is a loss of detail in the music. Stereo separation and imaging (where the musicians/singers are placed relative to the stage), can be noticeably diminshed.

A second and more important issue is that the dynamic range (the difference between the loudest and softest passages of a song or music), is greatly reduced with Mp3 files. This probably won't make a great deal of difference to someone listening to say rock or pop music which generally has a narrow dynamic range Much of this music showsifference between the loudest and softest sections. However other types of music (Classical/Jazz/acoustic) exhibit greater dynamic range. By the way this is not a criticism of people's musical tastes

So for all of us who want to enjoy CD recording quality, I advise that when copying CD's/Mp3 files on to a USB ensure that you use the higfhest bit rate possible. 192bPs is regarded as the closest to CD qaulity

Most MP3's are not 128kbps any more. This used to be a standard and still is around, however in more modern times music is available at a minimum of 192kbps (Which is fine for the large majority of people, I am happy with this and above) and more likely 256-320kbps (Closest to CD quality, 192 is definitely not regarded as the closest) which will be virtually indistinguishable to all but audiophiles with ultra high end devices. (And even then it's debatable sometimes.)

If you actually own your music then you can rip it at these bit rates or if you're a complete hardcore look at a head unit which can play lossless formats. If you buy music digitally now, you can check what your provider is giving you the music at but generally it will be at least 192-256. If you're buying music at less than this then you need to re-evaluate how you spend your money! :D

Thanks and I agree when buying music online its important to get the best quality..there are some poor sites out there!

Most USB/mp3 capable head units will also play .wav files, no loss of digital quality there.
As above, mp3 files can be created with little or no compression.
Most CD to .mp3 ripping software will have the option to set the bit rate high, or rip to .wav files. Also have the option to "normalise" the sound, ie bring up the really quiet sections automatically, so that you can hear them in the car. Classical music for example, benefits from this.

I've recorded music off DAB radio onto USB and played it in the car without any intermediate conversion steps, sounds brilliant! FM sucks in comparison. lol

Thanks for that. I have heard DAB+ is so much better than FM. Unfortunately there aren't many DAB+ Head units out there and my new JVC doesn't have it. So I'll stick to my CD's and USB.

Thanks for that. I have heard DAB+ is so much better than FM. Unfortunately there aren't many DAB+ Head units out there and my new JVC doesn't have it. So I'll stick to my CD's and USB.

No, what I meant was I record DAB on my computer which has a TV/FM/DAB card in it, then transfer to USB stick and play it in the car.
I imagine DAB on a headunit would be disappointing (for me at least) as the signal strength is quite poor. (= dropouts)

Thanks. I understand what you mean now and investigate the TV/FM/DAB card