12 Disc CD changer - factory or aftermarket?

[irf]

Is it worth paying close to $800 to have the Vette dealer install a CD changer or is best to simply have a car audio specialist install one for a few hundred less? Will I have any compatibility issues if I go aftermarket? $800 sounds like a lot for a CD changer!

Thanks for the help.

 

[01TriBlack]

Hi, irf. This is just my two-cents-worth, but I ditched the factory-installed 12-CD changer and went aftermarket. That thing was a headache!! It was not reliable with CD-R's at all - constant "err" messages. Very touchy. There are others, though, that haven't had any problems... and there are others, like me, who have found 'em to be a pain in the arse.

Happy listening!

Mary

 

[irf]

Hi Mary,

Which after market CD changer did you put in?n I woul dliek to play CD-Rs as well so after market may be the way to go.

Thanks.
Isaac

 

[01TriBlack]

Hey, Isaac. I didn't put a multi-CD changer in. I went with a Kenwood (can't remember model name - but can control sub separately from speakers) single in-dash deck with a 10" sub and amp in the rear. Granted, it's a pain - but the deck also has MP3 capabilities.

Mary

 

[irf]

Hi Mary,

Sounds like the system must rock. Have any pictures?

Isaac

 

[01TriBlack]

No pics....sorry. I might snap some, though - I need to be taking some of the car itself. Because of the sub/amp/deck arrangement, I have been deemed a "cool mom" by my step-sons' friends. Ha!!

M.

 

[danl72]

I have the factory CD Changer and I have not had any problems. (Knock on Wood. ) I have almost all CD-R's in it as well. $800 is a lot for a CD Changer though, so it is something to think about. Good luck.

 

[bob kissinger]

I've got the common problem with my stock changer in that it REALLY doesn't like CD-Rs. I've been looking at the SSI American NeoChanger. It appears that it simply plugs into the existing wiring harnass. Does anyone have any experience with this model??? It looks like it runs a little over $200.

 

[irf]

Hi Bob,

I just checked with SSI America and the CD chnager does work with the 2004 Vette. There are some jumpers they will set before they ship the CD changer out so it works with the Vette. I think I'm goign to order it.

 

[RocketJ]

Hi Irf,
I havn't had any problems playing CDR's with my factory changer to date. There is one thing I will caution everyone on and thats not to apply any aftermarket labels on the CD. They get soft and gummy when exposed to the cars ambient temps, raising hell with the changer.

One other thought, could the problem be with how the CD was recorded. Has anyone with problems tried CD's from a different source.

RocketJ

 

[01TriBlack]

Hi Irf,
One other thought, could the problem be with how the CD was recorded. Has anyone with problems tried CD's from a different source.

RocketJ

Hey, RocketJ. Yes, I tried CD-R's from other sources. Sometimes they worked; sometimes they didn't. Major, major source of annoyance. Good riddance to the stock system. I guess there is the possibility something was wrong with mine - I had the dealership check it over.... said it was fine - not a defect.

 

[atmmac]

ive never gotten an error msg and i have pretty much all cdrs.

 

[RocketJ]

Just another thought. Could the age of the player play any role in the malfunctioning units. Mine works fine and is also relatively new (2003). Its possible there were some changes made to the units over the years. Mine was already optioned into the car so I didn't give it much thought at the time. If I had to start from scratch I probably wouldn't pay $800 large, but go with an after market unit if you can find one that communicates with the factory stereo.

RocketJ

 

[atmmac]

i have a 97 and mine works flawlessly.

 

[R84BOOMER]

my original cd changer from the factory on my 2004 quit working. had dealership replace it which they did with another 2004 changer from a vette on the showroom floor. a few weeks later it quit working so they ordered a new one installed it and no problems since. the dealership said they had several new vettes that had the same problem and believed it to be a manufacturer defect.

 

[Pac-man]

My stereo guy did exactly what 01triblack did. Installed 10" sub in rear compartment, amp. behind drivers seat and hooked it all up to the stock in dash cd player. All for $500. The bass is unreal, great acoustics in the C5. JL audio makes a 10" woofer box that fits into the rear storage comp. but it's $599, no amp or install. Just have a custom stereo guy build the box, it's easy.