Stereo Dilemma, any suggestions?

(wakebordr11) · (wakebordr11) **Join Date: May 2001** 07-11-2006, 6:46 PM

Well I've been round and round with the IPOD issue with my boat and I got the cable and then realized I didn't have a C-bus input for a cd changer... so I figure my options are... upgrade to a new deck, maybe new company... right now I have a clarion xmd2... go to the xmd1 which is an older model... right? or is it the same generation, just more options?, go to an xmd-3 and need to upgrade my wired in remote? or go with an amp/eq setup which will net me an aux input... I figure the refurbed xmd-1 will be the cheapest option, but do I want to go to older technology just to take advantage of c-bus connection?

Im lost right now...

alanp 07-11-2006, 9:03 PM

duane, do you want a hu? i cant tell if you wanted one for a cd changer or not?
i dont run an hu. i run an mp3-->eq-->line driver-->amp. an eq and line driver together should be under 100 bucks and it sounds great.

(newty) · (newty) **Join Date: May 2005** 07-11-2006, 11:31 PM

Duane, Older remotes work fine with the XMD3 and the older XMD1 and 2 will work with the newer remotes except for the digital display style.
The XMD2 is the same as the 1 except it has C-Bus changer controls (not the style that will work with the IPOD) and dual RCA outs. The XMD3 has dual RCA out and C-Net control. Which will work with the ea125b clarion interface. I have heard the the interface is cumbersome at best so I still just use the AUX in from a IPOD cable made by Peripheral. check it out hope this helps.
http://www.electronics-pluz.com/peipdotorcao.html
Also I've installed a ton of referbed XMD3 and had no problems. This is where I get them.
http://www.bass-enterprises.com
They don't have any on the website but they do sell them. If I'm not mistaken they are less than 150 shipped. Good people to work with.

(wakebordr11) · (wakebordr11) **Join Date: May 2001** 07-12-2006, 5:24 PM

ryan, you are saying the XMD1 has dual rca out and c-bus controls, or the xmd2 has that? My xmd2 only has a single set of rca outs I think, and no place for a c-bus (13 pin?) connector, I got a 13 pin connector that connects to the bottom of the ipod... I guess this is what Im trying to do, so basically should I go to an XMD3 and ditch the 13 pin idea, or go to an xmd1 and use the 13 pin connector... I think I can get an XMD1 for cheap on ebay, any drawbacks to this over the xmd3 aside from satellite compatibility, aux input and....?

(newty) · (newty) **Join Date: May 2005** 07-12-2006, 7:30 PM

Now that you mention it I don't know. The 1 & 2 are very similar with the exception of rcas and C-bus one of the two has those things. I would definately go for the XMD3, its Sat ready, has aux in and can plug into many external things such as TV's DVD player etc.