CD Changers head units and the like!?

Question

Hi. I have brought a car which has a radio/cassette player and i would like a cd player. can i buy any cd player to fit?...iv looked on ebay and also listed are head units and cd changers..i think a cd changer is a unit that holds several cds to be played at choice.....but....what is a head unit? and if i wanted a cd changer do i need to buy a head unit as well?

Would really appreciate anyones time in explaining all this techno stuff...thank you

Answer 1

A "Head Unit" is simply another name for "Radio". A "CD Changer" is normally what you explained that holds alot of CD's at once. I wouldn't get these, they only tend to get jammed up and take up unwanted space somewhere in your car.



Get a Radio "Head Unit" with a single CD in it. Most radios that are sold are like this except the multimedia types and very few cassette types(That play Tapes).



Stick with quality names cause in the car audio world a brand name does make a difference. Pioneer, Kenwood, Alpine, Eclipse to name a few. A ball park price would be like 200 and then to the sky.



Good luck.

Answer 2

Yes you can buy any player to fit standard size. you don't specify make of car if its a ford eg the standard radio's front moulded to fit the surrounding dashboard, so you may need to buy a blanking plate from halfords.

head units are radio/CD/mp3 players you need a head unit to plug the changer into as well mostly these have a tape player on them but have been known single cd head unit + Changer 6/10 disc.

Answer 3

A 'Head Unit' is technically the stereo, and the cd changer is a remote device connected to the head unit via a bus cable.

CD changers usually come in either 6, 10 or 12 disc configurations and some are available with mp3 function.



Usually it is sufficient for only the head unit to be cd compatible due to the vast amount of mp3 you can fit on one cd.



Depending on your current car and stereo, you may have either the option to add a CD changer to your existing stereo (head unit), if not you will need to consider whether your car has the industry standard (now) ISO connection that most new stereos come with, whether you would need an adapter, or if you would need professional fitting.



Many head units have pre-outs for connection to amplifiers, cd changer connections, remote control sticks or remotes, telephone mute and mp3/wma functions - some will bluetooth hands free to your mobile phone.



With the exception of amplifiers, speakers, cabling and bluetooth devices you need to keep (generally) to the same maker of equipment, especially with changers unless connecting to a factory fitted stereo.

Answer 4

If the changer is OEM, it would be be very difficult unless you can find someone that makes a protocol interface to work with whatever head unit you're looking for. Most OEM equipment uses proprietary connectors and logic, so after-market equipment will not directly interface with it.