So i recently bought a 2004 r53. Stripped the interior to prep for quarter panel replacement. Have a aftermarket boom box in the trunk and a 600 amp amplifier. Looked into what kind of job the previous owner did and it was bad. He used the cheapest parts that were avaliable and the amp is broken. Looks very unatractive in the trunk do to a thick wire/s coming into the trunk area from under the carpet. I turned on the audio system and it sounds like crap even though i have an aftermarket pioneer sterio. I want to return everything to stock mainly because i have no room in the trunck, looks like crap in the trunk and H/K stock speakers will provide enough sound quality for me.

The problem is that the previous owner cut off the stock wires that run from the sterio to the aftermarket amp. To return to stock i would have to sotter the wires back to original location. Would i loose any sound quality? Is it better to replace the bundle of wires? Any better way to return to stock? Any stock r53 with H/K package sterio for sale on NAM?

will post pics latter

 

The head units were the same for the regular and HK stereos. I'm not sure which, but the HK processing was either activated by being connected to an HK system, or was completely processed outside of the head unit.

If you get a later one, I think beginning March 2005, they can play MP3's from the CD.

 

The big question is whether you have the HK amp still in the side cubby. That's the most expensive part of the system. Also, unless he retained the stock speakers, you'd need to source those as they are 2ohm vs. 4ohm standard.
You' want to reconnect the wires. It's possible to re-wire, but it's a BIG job.
As said above, the HU is the same. All the special in the HK system is in the amp.