Replacing Factory Stereo

[BobbyP]

Hi all; I'm a new owner of a 99 A4 Avant TQ and I would like to replace part of the factory "Audi Concert" stereo with my Alpine Amp and BA speakers. Is it possible to leave the factory head unit and run the amp (basically, is there a line level out on the factory head unit?). I'm afraid the dash might not look right with the green lighting of my Alpine CD head unit- as well as the smaller size of the Alpine.

[REF]

[Q]

as long as your amp will accept "speaker level" inputs

Many have used this Blaupunkt adapter to connect to the Concert's wiring harness. It gives you front & rear RCAs (total of 2 sets) and an amplifier turn-on wire. With some Concert units, the adapter must be "tweaked" a little bit to fit. Most have found that it is plug'n play. Keep in mind that the Concert unit is made by Blaupunkt, hence the relationship between it and the part.

I repeat--you do not have to use a line level converter or use speaker-level inputs on your amp! In other words, you'll get a clean signal!

I ordered the part from Crutchfield (see link below) for under $9 (including 2nd day air). Keep in mind that Crutchfield's part # is different than Blaupunkt's. Since my TT isn't here yet, i haven't tried it myself. But many others have, successfully, such as Doug with his TT (check out his pictures, too--they show the harness installed):
http://www.albany.net/~doug/tt/equip.html

Visit the links below. I've assembled a TON of related info for your perusal:

http://www.audiworld.com/forum/m/tt/49833.phtml

http://www.audiworld.com/forum/m/a4/208039.phtml

http://www.audiworld.com/forum/m/tt/33903.phtml

Do me a favor, and let me know if this info helps. It took me a long time to research this stuff.

-John P.

http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S...=S-HXwOg8yB74i

• http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S...=S-HXwOg8yB74i

[avantster]

I can't say for sure--I've obsessed about the Concert unit because it is the only receiver getting TT duty.

However, I would imagine that there are preamp outputs of some sort in the wiring harness IF the Bose option uses an external amplifier (because it needs to get signal somehow).

-John P.

[uku]

I have a A4 with a concert head unit non-bose.

Why does the CD changer that fits the Concert system a Panasonic if the head unit is a blaupunkt?

[BobbyP]

Thank you SO MUCH! The system goes in today (if they can get the adapter- otherwise I'll do it when I get it from Crutchfield)Now I can have a great system but have it look right and be at least somewhat stealthy. I very much appreciate your post!

I have no idea. I think Audi must've been shopping around for a good deal.
Also, it's standard procedure for an automaker to outsource particular parts (e.g., BMW does this with its alloy wheels) to several different manufacturers. I recall hearing that some Concert units are manufactured by another, non-Blaupunkt manufacturer. As long as the units conform to specs and are the right price, I'm willing to bet that Audi isn't too particular about the manufacturer. Additionally, Blaupunkt may not have have made a changer suitable for Audi's requirements.

-John P.