jcorenman

We've been on the hunt for a nice radio for many years. The original Blaupunkt SQR-46 in our S4 never worked all that well, and got replaced early on by a nice Nakamichi cassette unit which was great until CD's became compelling. Then a Blaupunkt CD which worked OK but had teeny-tiny buttons and a garish blue display, the beginning of a slippery slope into bling. When we got the GT the radio was the first thing to get replaced, but the Alpine that looked so nice in the store was horrible in the car- the laser-bright display made the car almost impossible to drive at night (it gets dark where we live). Enough!

I read and re-read a thousand posts here, and the unit that kept popping out for us was the CDR-220. This is a Becker CD unit from circa 1998-2002, standard on Boxters and 993's of that period with nice simple lines, amber-on-black display and provision for an aux-input (our one "must-have" feature). And even says "Porsche" on the faceplate!

The CDR-220 was designed to be viewed from above, i.e. with the faceplate oriented vertically as in a Boxter. When installed in the 928 the faceplate is tiled to face the driver, and the display is completely black. It is the ultimate "non-bling" look but (in our view) utility suffers. The other "less-blingy" choices all seemed to lack the aux-in connection for an iPod/mp3 player.

The good news is that Becker offered (past tense) an alternate faceplate with a different LCD, black numbers on a light background which is visible from a wide range of angles. Click here for DSC928's installation of that optional-faceplate unit, followed by Rob Edwards'. Sweet, not quite as as nice as the amber-on-black original, but definitely better than anything else out there. The problem is that by the time we got around to this project, that faceplate was NLA.

So I decided to do some engineering, I've worked with those types of LCD's in the past and most have some sort of contrast adjustment that will change the optimum viewing angle. I talked to Stephan at SW Stereo, who very nicely said that it was impossible. So we bought a CDR-220 on eBay with the standard display, took it apart and traced circuit boards, dug through datasheets and found the magic parts.

Here are the results. The standard CDR-220 display has its best visibility about at an angle about 30 degrees above the unit, if you view it head-on then it turns black. Tweaking the LCD-driver circuit dropped this optimum angle to just below perpendicular, perfect for the 928. The pictures below were all taken from normal eye-position. The viewing angle doesn't change much between shorter drivers sitting closer, and taller drivers sitting farther back. (It will, however, be compromised for short people in the back seats, or folks looking in through the sunroof).

Here's what it looks like turned off:


And here's what it looks like powered on, in our shop lighting:


Here's what it looks like in our S4 in the dark. (Yes, that clock needs to get updated!)


Here's outdoors in the bright sun (through medium-tinted windows):


We're really pleased with how this turned out. The purpose of posting this is to find out if anyone else is interested, and if so then figure out how we can make this available. This is too cool to keep to ourselves.

I'll post a follow-up with some more info that we learned about the CDR-220.

S4ordie

Jim - That looks just fantastic! It looks authentic to our cars and keeps the audio experience less visual, as it should be unless you are playing video games.

pcar928fan

Jim,

I LOVE THAT!!! What did that set up cost (and maybe more importantly what would it cost ME to get you to make one work for my S4)? My CD-2 is CRAP and I would love to upgrade to something nice like this. My system is stock with the exception of a self powered Bazooka sub out back...

Where is the AUX plug in? I would want to run it to the arm rest to put an ipod in there... Does the face plate flip down for CD loading?

pcar928fan

There is ONE on ebay currently that I would be MORE than happy to take off the hands of the seller if you can work on it for me Jim! Also would appreciate NOT having to bid against my hommies here for it! Hint Hint...

pcar928fan

JIM! What is that button/light next to your A/C button?! Never seen one of those...at least not that I know of...

jcorenman

Thanks Dan, those were our thoughts exactly!

I'll send a PM with contact info, I'm sure we can figure something out.

We ran ours into the glove-box, co-pilot gets to run the iPod. Alternate locations would be the center-console or the arm-rest, just a matter of running a skinny cable.

I'll post some more details that I learned about the CDR-200 so that you are better armed!

That's the famous "O" button! I think it is supposed to be a zero-button for the trip-odometer, but I don't think it is native to a '90. (The trip-reset is one of the big round buttons on the console). My guess is that a PO swapped the alarm panel at some point, for some reason-- the wire from that button is just cut off behind the unit. I need to find a good use for it.... a laser-jammer reset or something like that

pcar928fan

Jim,

Changed my search wording and got a much better result. There are several good candidates out there...

jcorenman

OK, here's some additional info on the CDR-220. This is all with respect to the standard unit, invisible in the 928.

I am happy to do the mod to change the viewing-angle. It is tricky and was hard to figure out so I need to charge something, but I am not a sponsor here so I don't want to run afoul of posting guidelines. Please send a PM if you are interested.

There are two basic models of the CDR-220, and as far as I can tell they are the same except for some trim details. Here are the two faceplate styles, we wound up with one of each:



The upper faceplate with the all-matte finish is the newer model# 6625, the lower one is an earlier unit (model# 4462). The differences, as far as I can determine, are the part-glossy finish on the earlier faceplate, and the earlier buttons tend to get "chafed" around the edge. (Ours has that issue, hard to see in the pic above-- but Becker Autosound can replace the buttons). Both are nice.

The "CR-220" is a cassette player, be careful. However the faceplates are apparently identical except for the model-designation, so you may find CDR-220's with a CR-220 faceplate. AFAIK that works fine.

Replacement faceplates are readily available on eBay for $100 or less, again in both styles.

Connections: Most used units come without cable or harness but these are readily available (Becker Autosound or SW Stereo, and others). The basic connections are the same as recent Blaupunkt's but check the documentation.

Adaptors are available to connect to a factory amp, our S4 is connected from the CDR-220's preamp-out connector through a Blaupunkt adaptor (left-over from a previous radio) to the factory cable to the factory amp, works fine (except for the 12v power wire, see below).

But realistically, the head-unit has almost as much power as the Blaupunkt factory amp. If the goal is to turn your brains to jelly then you will need a different amp. (We have some available, courtesy the PO). But in that case you wouldn't be reading a thread titled "fighting bling...", either )

The GT's CDR-220 is wired direct to the speakers, which are whatever the PO fitted... They sound fine and get drowned out nicely by the howl from Louie's masterful exhaust when the right pedal is depressed at the appropriate moments.

The CDR-220 connects to both the continuous (bus-30) 12-volt connection and the switched (bus-15) connection, as usual. The first keeps the memory alive, the second switches the radio on and off. However, this unit is relatively unique in that it draws its primary power from the continuous 12-volts, and uses the switched 12-volts as a power on/off signal.

So with the key off, you can press the "on" button on the radio and it comes on, for up to an hour. This is terrific for hanging out in ferry lines for example. And when you turn the key on, then the radio comes on, if it was on when the key was last turned off. Pretty slick!

The only problem with that scheme is that the continuous 12-volts (bus-30) wiring for the factory radio is a skinny 1-mm wire that comes from the filter located with the amp, next to the passenger seat. When the head-unit keys the amplifier on, the voltage drop through that skinny wire plus the drop to the amp was enough to turn the radio off again-- resulting in just a "thump, thump" whenever the radio was turned on. The fix was to run a separate 14-ga wire from the amp connection on the CE panel (E-24 for an '88) direct to the continuous +12v radio connection.

Aux cables: The CDR-220 has an aux-in connector in the back, shared with the CD-changer. So you can't have both, but that is not a problem for us. Becker's cable terminates in two female RCA-jacks, from there you need a RCA to mini-plug cable to an iPod or MP3 player. There are also cables available (e.g. PIE) that go direct to a mini-plug, or an iPod connector. And a wired phone connector with mute, if you are so inclined.

Prices: eBay prices seem to run from $200 to $500 depending on condition (from "a bit rough" without code, to fully-refurbished with code). Things to watch for are worn ***** (readily available), worn button-edges on earlier-style units (hard to spot in the usual eBay pic's, but again fixable), and cracks in the bump in the top-center "blinker". (That diamond-shape thing above the display is an anti-theft blinking red light (which can be turned off), it is a thin part of the plastic face and easily cracks if the unit is not well padded for shipment. The faceplate in the GT pic's in the first post is cracked, the white edges of the cracks were darkened with a "Sharpie" felt-pen).

Codes: The CDR-220 requires a 4-digit unlock code whenever the power is disconnected, codes are available from the serial# for a small fee from Becker Autosound and likely other sources. So when buying a unit without code make sure the serial# label is intact. And units on eBay without codes are often attractively priced-- just be sure the serial# is available. A radio without either a code or serial# is a doorstop.

Removal keys: The CDR-220 drops into the factory spot bare-nekked without a DIN-shell, and has latches on either side that grab the bezel. It doesn't actually latch on either of our cars (bezel is too thick), but we got the keys anyway (Beker Autosound again). They are the type that latch in place and allow you to pull the radio out, but we always remove the pass-side console panel for access to the rear.

The rear of the radio is supported by the fuzzy "U" bracket, which fits perfectly. If yours is gone then you will need to replace it, or fit something else to stabilize the back end.

The radio antenna connector is different than the "Motorola" style on the factory radios, you will need an adaptor.

There is some info from the Boxter folks here: http://boxster.wikia.com/wiki/CDR-220_Head_Unit

Becker Autosound's website is here: http://beckerautosound.com/
and their CDR-220 page is here: http://beckerautosound.com/Porsche/9...ette_4362.html

Becker Autosound is a good source for cables, replacement *****, unlock codes, and refurbished units, and can also replace worn buttons on earlier units.

The manual is available here: http://beckerautosound.com/pdf_guides/om43-4462.pdf

Southwest Stereo is also a good source for all this stuff: http://swstereo.com/

Again, please send a PM for info on the viewing-angle mod.

pcar928fan

Man that is a GREAT post Jim! You ROCK DUDE! I am SOOOO DOING THIS!

jeff spahn

And just what is wrong with that clock? I love those clocks. Now back in style over the digital clocks. Mine keeps perfect time too!

jcorenman

We're in heated agreement

I was talking about the digital clock in the "nighttime" photo (that's our '88S4, the other pics are the GT).

hacker-pschorr

Any guesstimation on the power output for this unit?
Any kind of AUX input in the back?
Any pre-outs?

I know these are used with a changer, shouldn't be too tricky to figrout out how to use that input as a generic AUX source.

Nice work, I like the look of my Alpine deck, but this is a very cool option.

I'm assuming the security code is still needed?

jayc67

Seems like a lot of work and expense to get the word "Porsche" on the radio.

The Nakamichi fits well and looks right, and are still made and available. It has an amber light selection that's a perfect match for my interior lights. You can also disable the built in clock which I did. Looked silly to have 2 clocks.

Don't mean to hijack, just wondering. Here's a Nakamichi MB-VI in my car. It has an aux input for ipod etc that I ran over to the passenger side shelf. Nak makes another model that plays MP3 discs.

Ran the speaker wires around to the factory amp area and connected into the factory harness there.

I do agree that the blingy stereos look horrible. This head was $299 and a very easy install.

jcorenman

Spec's are 18W x 4, that seems pretty typical for head-units with built-in amp's.

There are 3V preamp-outs on the "B" connector, and aux-in on the "C3" connector with a separate "Aux" source mode. The same connector is used for the CD-changer so you can't have both aux-in and a changer.

If you follow this link to the manual (pdf file), the spec's are on page 28 and the wiring diagram is on page 30.

And yes, it needs a code after a battery-disconnect, see my comments above.

pcar928fan

The Nak looks good (I ALWAYS liked Nak gear too!) but I like this "PORSCHE" unit better and in the long run it might be cheaper than the Nak...just depends what you can get one for in the long run!