Getting tired of fussing with trying to keep things stock. Looking for the best replacement for the radio head in the xk8... easy conversion/good look/ bluetooth/etc

 

I was about to go down that route and fit a blue tooth head unit from another car but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I swapped out the speakers for some kicker units that were a direct swap and fitted a discount car stereo blue tooth module in the back, I play everything from my phone anyway - I'm no audiophile but the difference has really been huge to my ears!

 

I guess I'm not particularly concerned about audio quality. I'd just like to have it all working, but with the addition of bluetooth for the phone. Maybe just one of those adapters that fits into the tape slot and forget about the cd entirely

 

I went down that route too with a Bluetooth cassette but found the quality pretty awful with a constant sound of interference. This is what I got in the end for my 1998 with standard stereo:

https://www.discountcarstereo.com/a2d-jag98.html

There's a different version with a microphone for hands free phone use if you want but I hate talking to people so just wanted the music streaming! I din't really want to spend over $100 but I'm glad I did now... It's super easy to fit and use

 

I wish I could use this, but
1. It needs the cd changer to be working
2. It won't work with my 97....8 pin plug, though they do have one that works with mine, but:
3. It doesn't support Hands free calls
Damn!

 

IMO you're on a hiding to nothing using the cassette tape interface into the audio system, even for low-fi sources such as mp3.

I bought a bluetooth FM adaptor that plugs into the cigar lighter socket. It allows music playback from a USB stick as well as hands-free phone and NAV instruction via a paired mobile.

Even has an extra USB socket to charge said mobile. Around $10 from Amazon.

 

😖 maybe get some headphones!

 

Sounds similar to what I have been using the last few years--a bluetooth cassette adapter like this https://www.ionaudio.com/cassetteadapterbluetooth
For the price it works exceptionally well and I use it mainly to play Pandora from my smartphone. It wasn't worth the hassle to me to spend the bucks that car audio shops were quoting to properly convert the system based on the time I actually spend driving.

 

I also have one of these (Ion) but the resulting quality is not that good. What has been your experience?

 

I tried all of these solutions:
Adapter that connected to the CD changer, worked great for awhile….then stopped altogether.
Cassette tape…sound quality issues with a slight hissing sound
cigarette lighter adapter…..had occasional interference

I went with the Dynamic Sound kit out of the UK and purchased a single Din stereo, A bit pricey, but I have all the latest Bluetooth technology and can put back to original in a short time if I like.

 

Actually I have been extremely pleased with the ION cassette. Again, I mainly use it to stream Pandora from my S10 and it sounds great. I think I might have also take a call or two but I really avoid talking on the phone while driving.

 

I'm looking for a single din for my 1998 XK8, I know 1997 is a different dash kit than 1998. This one worked for you on your 1999 XK8?

Thanks George

 

The Kenwood KDC-x304 worked great for me. I usually leave a jump drive plugged in with my favorite music, but SIriusXM and Pandora run great off my phone.

 

looks great, where did you get the dash kit or did you do customize it yourself. Thanks

 

Ordered the dash kit from Dynamic Sound out of the UK and got the stereo locally from Mickey Shorr electronic store.

 

Thank you for your reply, l know it’s a little pricey but we’ll worth it. Did you leave the same factory amp and just installed the kenwood receiver?

 

Mine didn’t have the factory amp, just CD changer. Dynamic Sound has several different wiring harnesses, it’s best to pull your radio and compare the plug ends (with Dynamic Sound pictures) to make sure it’s plug and play. With the correct harness the steering wheel controls work and you don’t need a jumper to operate the antenna properly. I had the electronics store install mine, was very inexpensive and I wanted to make sure everything worked properly…they’re the experts. I did pull my stereo and reinstall the replacement trim….didn’t want any trim issues

 

I have a cassette to 3.5mm jack and while it works the audio quality is a bit crap. I recently got an FM transmitter and while the audio quality is better it's still not good enough to use. I'm just going to wear my headphones instead if I want to listen to music or have them aroud my neck.

 

^re all the above

tl;dr
Tape adapters are crap. Don't bother.
FM modulators that transmit over the air are crap. Don't bother.
FM modulators that inject the signal directly into the aerial input - BETTER - do bother. You can even find ones that will put the current bluetooth song title on the radio via RDS.
PIE audio module + 12v bluetooth module - inject a line in to the alpine system, combine with a bluetooth module that includes a mic input and splice into the mic harness under the center trans tunnel console - power with the switched accessory circuit in the trunk - seamless - looks OEM- sounds great - hands free mic works too - therefore siri/google assistant works too. Just add a good phone mount and you're laughing.

• PIE audio module: https://www.ebay.com/itm/265519714312 - $20
• Bluetooth module:
  Amazon
  Amazon
  - $14
• fuse tap for accessory circuit in boot: (a million choices for this on amazon, $5-$10 (i already had one lying around)
• relay part number for accessory circuit in boot if not present: LJA6703AA either order a jaguar one, or a generic aftermarket replacement with that part number from an auto parts store/ - $10
  
  All in, an afternoon's labor with a couple beers and just a hair over $50 and you have bluetooth, hands free calling, integrated with the OEM audio completely stock look.
  Exactly HOW you connect the PIE audio thingy depends on your cars audio options and satnav package, but regardless of options, the stuff above WILL work for any alpine audio car. I did it on a premium audio car with satnav and cd changer. On my car, it was NOT necessary to access the back of the head unit. I did all this in the trunk only (well center console cubby had to open up for the mic). I think if you have no audio components in your trunk at all, you need to get at the back of the head unit. If your sound system is that basic, just replace it with an aftermarket head unit.

 

FM modulators that inject the signal directly into the aerial input - BETTER - do bother. You can even find ones that will put the current bluetooth song title on the radio via RDS.

Hi.
Can you give more detail on this.
Does the info scroll across the LCD like on modern radios.
For mp3's i'm using a decoder board via a versatile link which serves me well, though i wouldn't mind the song title on the radio display via RDS.
Can you give a link.
Cheers.