I just picked up a 997.2 and one of the first things I want to do is upgrade the stereo, but retain the head unit. I know there have been several threads in the past, one of which mentioned that Mobridge was coming out with a solution with an ETA of Feb 2014. I called mobridge, they said they were working on it but had no ETA. They also implied that they were concentrating on other projects, so the wait could be a long one. I also checked with NavTV, who have a unit that will allow for a new head unit with the factory amp back. They said they have tried to find a solution to keep the OEM head unit while replacing the amp back, but ran into too many problems and gave up. SO two questions:

1. are there any solutions to get the signal pre-amp while keeping the OEM headunit?

2. For those who have gone post-amp to an aftermarket processor, amp and speakers did you get good results? I've seen lots of people talking about this doing this, but no many reporting back with their thoughts after the install.

 

Check out the thread "my budget audio install". People have had very good results upgrading only the speakers.

 

I am in that budget thread and I did just the speakers. There is an improvement no doubt and I am happy with it but..... the real evil is in the head unit. If you think you are going to make our systems spew beautiful sound just by swapping speakers, you will be disappointed. Given my experience swapping out stuff and being known to spend a few..... I have come to the conclusion that the biggest bang for audio quality lies in the head units. But, in our Porsches, you have to ditch the whole system and all that goes with it. I am hesitant to do that.

Peace
Bruce in Philly

 

Do you have Bose or not?

I have a 997.2 with PCM3 with Sound Package Plus (analog amp with 9 speakers). I determined that the output from original PCM3 to the amp are low level outs even though they appear to be high level speaker level outs.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

CF

 

pcm3 has low level outputs, correct, no preamp inside, so pcm3 always go with amp from factory - ask or bose - but always. pcm3 can be programmed for "non-bose" with piwis, and since this any analog amp will work.

 

Serg, let me get this straight are you saying all pcm3 is same and piwis can program wheter its a bose system, digital out, or not, analog out?

 

yes. about bose - all the same.