Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio FM Modulated CD Changers

Has anyone tried one of the FM modulated CD changers with the stock radio? What is your experience with this setup? I know that a REAL head unit and a direct wire CD changer is the way to go, but I'm not in a position to make that kind of investment in car stereo at this time. Thanks in advance for your input. Cheers, Rick.

They work really well. The only thing you have to deal with is the extra controls. I have an older Explorer with on in it along with the factory unit.


Hope that helps.


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Chris Hightower
http://crush7.dydns.org/

Yeah, FM Mod Changers are great. Great, that is, if you like crappy sound.

No offense to anyone who uses them and likes them, BUT, I've had both, and heard many of each, and there's no comparison.

Best value out there is the JVC 12 disc changer with 35x4 cassette head unit. I paid $212 for mine from U-bid -- they have them on there all the time. Strangely, it's the best sounding head unit I've had in my car (and I've had Pioneer 40x4, Sony 40x4, before this one) and by far the cheapest. Best display, too, really easy to read (even in bright sunlight).

Dont let Jbennet scare you. He is right that you would get better sound out a unit with RCA cable plug in's.

BUT, if you dont plan on changing the head unit the FM modulate sytems work fine! I actually have one of these in my car now. The biggest sugestion I will give you is to make sure that the station you are going to use in your car to match up with the cd player has NO radio station on it with in the area that you usually drive. This will give you the best clarity from the cd player and you will have no bleed over from any radio sations in the area.

the only real downgrade is that your freq range is limited to that of the FM bandwidth. i believe the FM signals are limited to 50-12,000 HZ. and FM sensitivity plays a little bit of an issue as a poor sens will degrade sound quality slightly. so, if you're going into competition with your setup (not likely), you'll want to upgrade. if you just want the convenience of "CD changerdom", you'll be fine.

also.....any FM modulated CD changer can be adapted to RCA connectors later on down the road, so you won't have to buy a new changer.

I have a JVC 12-disc and it worked pretty well with the factory stereo. I always got tons of compliments on it clarity and ease of installation.

I didn't want to go aftermarket because I like the stock look (all green, ...factory, original) The JVC worked great.

I did switch out my head unit for a JVC something..650. It cost $150, detachable face, the changer hooks to it and best of all, it fit the dash very well. Most of the feature buttons are green like the dash, there are four buttons that are red, like the SVT gauge needles. And the disply is white on black. It looks grrrrrreat, and I get even more complements.

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Ryan
Princeton MA
Toreador Red
1998 SVT

Thanks for the input. Sounds like the best bet would be to buy one from Best Buy or the like and if I don't like it, take it back. Cheers, Rick.

Just purchased a pioneer 12 disk changer with FM modulator. It was just too costly to put a aftermarket CD player in. It would cost $450 for CD player and only cost $360 (Canadian prices of course!) I'll let you know! I was told that the difference is that it is Analog and not digital. That would explain the the D/A converter!

wow...this is an old thread!

basically, you are limited by the capabilities of your FM tuner. It still sounds better than FM, though.