Is there anyone out there rocking a phatnoise on their R56? I quickly grabbed mine out of the VW before I traded it in, and I'm curious if anyone's tried (successfully or otherwise) to retrofit into the Mini.

I think I have the base soundsystem. I've heard that it's an Alpine-sourced unit.

If noone has the answer to those questions..... can someone tell me what the CD changer connector looks like on the back of the OEM unit?

Thanks everybody!

CD connection is a MOST bus Optical connection. I doubt your Phatnoise will hook up directly to that.

You should how ever be able to hook it to the AUX input and run it that way as long as you have a controller for the box. I will not be able to be controlled thru the head unit.

Thanks schatzy, I appreciate the quick reply. I guess I'll have to wait for someone to make some sort of converter if I want to use the Phatnoise. I won't hold my breath.

I wish the previous owner would have geeked-out a little bit and sprung for the bluetooth and Ipod prep!

What year and model do you have?

Also it is the Base, HiFi, or Harmon Kardon system?

There maybe options for you for bluetooth and iPod connections.

it's a 2007 Justa. I don't know how to tell the different audio systems apart (tomorrow will be 1 week as a MINI owner) yet.

I will say it's probably base or hifi, because I don't see HK's name anywhere.

How can I tell the base system from a hifi?

2007 you either were base or hi-fi

base - no tweeters in the A-pillars
hi-fi - tweeters in the A-pillars

Whatever you do, don't listen to one with the H/K as it is waaaaaay better than the hi-fi

Well, it appears that I have the "base" as I don't recall any tweeters in the A-pillars. I was a little underwhelmed with the audio. It was definitely not as good as the base system I had in the Jetta. Oh well, who buys a MINI for the stereo?!?! If I were still driving 100 miles a day it might be enough to get me to upgrade..... for now,I'll live with it, unless there's any "low hanging fruit" I can grab to upgrade the audio.

moondawg,

Just a note for you the base system to many people is a better system than the HiFi. Other will say the opposite but both suck.

With the Base system you do have an upgrade option though that is not to expensive if my memory serves me correctly.

Check this thread it is totally plug an play.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...by-alpine.html