Please bear with me since i'm not a big audiophile. Have a 2005 MCS, want to replace my hu, don't really want oem. Here's the big problem: I'm not sure if i have boost or h/k. Speakers say h/k, i have a manual for boost, found the amp but it doesn't say anything. How do I know???
Soooo, if I do have h/k, I will need the conversion/adaptor bit for a new hu to work with h/k amp, and also the infrared doohickey to make the mfsw controls work, right?
On newministuff.com I found a whole set with the Clarion hu, and both of these adaptors. Does anyone know anything about this?
If I have boost, can I just get the mfsw adaptor, and get this installed with new head unit? I'd like to stick to Clarion or Kenwood.
I've read a bunch of threads, they're too technical. I won't install myself, and my husband isn't allowed to even touch Otto!!!
Help!?!

 

If you have an amp and the speakers say HK then you have an HK system. If you want to replace the HU, you will need this...

http://www.newministuff.com/new/shop...uctshow&id=116

Without this your system (no matter what HU you put in) won't work. Be advised that this turns on the amp at full blast so there might be a little hiss. There is no easy way to install another HU without this device to be honest. The other adapters will get your steering working as well as be plug and play type setup

What is wrong with the OEM? That clarion is not likely to get you anything more than then OEM (Ipod interface perhaps).

 

Thanks for the reply!
my current hu has no ipod interface, the last owner spilled soda down it so i have to hammer away at the buttons when it gets cold, and now there's a torn wire in back for reasons i'm not allowed to mention :(
We checked out a new oem and it seems to run about $1000 with installation, and i'm not really prepared to dish out that kind of cash.
I assume this hissing you mention is at high volumes?

 

You can pick up a used HU (Head Unit) for around $150 that will work just fine and swap it out in about 30 minutes. Both the standard setup and HK actually use the same HU. The HU simply goes into "HK" mode when it detects the amp. However, I would make sure to get one from an 05 or 06 if you can. Earlier ones don't play CDs with MP3s burned on them (just audio CDs only).

As for the torn wire, I assume it's repairable. If the torn wire is in any way related to the HK, then simply replacing the HU with an aftermarket probably won't work unless you wire in the new system from scratch (speakers included).

So assuming you are just fine with the actual sound quality, it's really best to just repair it. As already mentioned, the HU is simple and can be done yourself. Without knowing the details, we can't advise on how to repair the wiring.