So I've been reading and thinking and came across the following post by Schatzy62:

"The Audio system runs on the MOST Bus but the audio from the head unit to the amp is analog and there is not a MOST bus connection to the amp.

MOST is run only for the CD player and SAT Connections."

My questions are as follows:

Is there an optical/MOST connection behind the head unit? From reading, I know Schatzy62 made some special connections back there to move things. I could not find any more detail about his modifications however.

Do all R56 have MOST for CD and SAT? Or just the HiFi variants?

If all do not have it, how can you identify those that do? What are the indications?

Schatzy62, your posts have been a great help in Mini Audio. Thanks for all you do.

 

HiFi and Standard systems use the same head unit, just different coding. Other than a change in 2011, all R55/6/7/8/9 units use the same HU.

As Schatzy mentioned, they only use MOST for the CD changer and SAT connections. The only bus connection to the amp is via CAN.

Other than to add factory SAT or factory CD changer, you wouldn't be able to use them for anything though. What did you have in mind?

 

I enjoy mobile audio as a hobby and I don't enjoy the stock system. I did an install for a friend in a 09 Justa and it's very simple and sounds good.

But... I was looking for a cleaner signal path to a pre-amp DSP like a Mosconi, Audison or Alpine. The only way I could get digital from the Mini stock head would be to use MOST to provide an optical out through something like a Mobridge.

I was in contact with some people at Mobridge about it and they were willing to work something out with me basically. So I wanted to figure out what type of connections I had back there before I started disassembly.

I know there are options for an aftermarket source unit with the Mini, none of which really appeal to me, but if that's the way I have to go, I'll go that way. And while I like your setups, it's not particularly geared towards me as I prefer a more DIY approach. I probably enjoy figuring it out and designing and building more than actually listening to the end result.

Thanks for the info so far and I'm interested and open for any other advice you may have. I know you have done an extensive amount of research on these vehicles and the sound. I've read nearly all of your posts.

 

The MOST Bus is not just an Optical Audio line it is a full data line that has control data for each device, but mixed in there is Audio, Video, and Voice data. It is not just straight audio.

You would need some sort of device to control all that data and extract only what you are looking for. Not an easy feat.

 

Thanks for taking the time to explain. We shall see what happens. Probably nothing... but who knows.