Recommendation for replacement stereo

[Occupant5143]

My travel trailer has one of those sorry touch screen stereo systems that is difficult to operate and doesn't perform well. I'm considering replacing it with a vehicular type receiver unit. It needs to receive AM/FM/Sirius XM as well as play CDs. I really don't care if it plays MP3s or not but I do want to be able to tune into the news and over the air music. I can do the woodwork and wiring necessary to replace the unit so that's no problem.
Any recommendations for a good, popular unit?
Thanks,
Dave

[wahoonc]

Jensen, Sony, Blapunkt, JVC, Kenwood...

Go to Crutchfield and browse away.

Aaron

[MartyG]

Originally Posted by wahoonc

Jensen, Sony, Blapunkt, JVC, Kenwood...

Go to Crutchfield and browse away.

Aaron

X2 Crutchfield! I've replaced my last two vehicle radios with Kenwoods from these guys. Big value is their adapter kits, steering wheel button adapters, etc, that you won't need. Get one with a remote control, so you don't have to get up to change the station. Double-DIN has a nice size screen, and can actually be a video player of itself, or feed into your TV. I mounted my magnetic XM antenna "cube" on my hood, but you will mount it at least on a window. Preferably south-facing. Or, get it up on the roof, somehow. Or maybe a metal component on the trailer tongue? Whatever model you shop for, watch closely inputs and outputs for your needs. For instance, a cheap ($17 or so) video camera hidden in the breather ducts of your fridge might give you a view of your "blind side" where the connections are?

[Nate42379]

I used the Sony 100x4 head unit and wow...great if you don't want an external amp!.. but want more sound.


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[wildwest450]

Wow, Crutchfield is the most expensive option out there for a retail store. Browse there and buy elsewhere.

[Occupant5143]

Originally Posted by dawniewest

Wow, Crutchfield is the most expensive option out there for a retail store. Browse there and buy elsewhere.

I concur. Amazon has a nice Alpine unit with integral Sirius XM receiver. Why oh why are the the XM tuners an add-on? Seems to me that most of the upscale ones should all have XM built in.

[MartyG]

Originally Posted by Occupant5143

I concur. Amazon has a nice Alpine unit with integral Sirius XM receiver. Why oh why are the the XM tuners an add-on? Seems to me that most of the upscale ones should all have XM built in.

I think it's because they went through a period where you were either Sirius, or XM, or Sirius/XM. Regardless, it's an easy one-plug module. The only other plug to the module is the antenna. Shop carefully, the XM module is about $60. With Crutchfield, we got a rebate for the whole price of the XM, which is often not available when buying at WalMart or Amazon. Check the XM website for more on this pricing scheme.

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by dawniewest

Wow, Crutchfield is the most expensive option out there for a retail store. Browse there and buy elsewhere.

They ain't cheap, however they have ALL the options readily available in one location and their service is outstanding. I have been buying from them for many years. Used to be you wanted something for your car you went to the auto parts store and they had a display with 4 car stereos on it...

Aaron

[Occupant5143]

Well I ended up with the Alpine unit that came with the Sirius/XM tuner. I just finished installing it today and it sounds great!
First I had to make a mounting plate to cover the space left by the old Touch Audio radio and serve as the mount for the new one. Then I had to rewire the speakers. For some strange reason Dutchmen connected the interior front and back speakers together as speaker A and the outdoor speakers as speaker B. Even though the old unit could support three sets of speakers they chose to only use two.
The space in the cabinet above the entertainment unit was the perfect place to drill the hole to the roof for the new antenna (the old unit used the TV antenna which really didn't work too well). I mounted a PVC box on the roof to support the AM/FM antenna with an extension to a steel outlet cover embedded in Dicor to serve as the mount for the Sirius/XM antenna. Both antennas work great.
See the pictures below:
1. Old Touch Audio radio
2. The new radio installed in it's place
3. The finished antenna mounting.

[wildwest450]

Originally Posted by Occupant5143

Well I ended up with the Alpine unit that came with the Sirius/XM tuner. I just finished installing it today and it sounds great!

Hard to beat an Alipne, had one in my last two trucks. I'm surprised your rv antennae didn't work well, that's about the only thing that works on my garbage Furrion unit. Now after finding a station, it will automatically start auto searching after 2-3 minutes, regardless of the settings.

[sundancer 87]

Originally Posted by Occupant5143

Well I ended up with the Alpine unit that came with the Sirius/XM tuner. I just finished installing it today and it sounds great!
First I had to make a mounting plate to cover the space left by the old Touch Audio radio and serve as the mount for the new one. Then I had to rewire the speakers. For some strange reason Dutchmen connected the interior front and back speakers together as speaker A and the outdoor speakers as speaker B. Even though the old unit could support three sets of speakers they chose to only use two.
The space in the cabinet above the entertainment unit was the perfect place to drill the hole to the roof for the new antenna (the old unit used the TV antenna which really didn't work too well). I mounted a PVC box on the roof to support the AM/FM antenna with an extension to a steel outlet cover embedded in Dicor to serve as the mount for the Sirius/XM antenna. Both antennas work great.
See the pictures below:
1. Old Touch Audio radio
2. The new radio installed in it's place
3. The finished antenna mounting.

I miss seeing the streets of Sierra Vista, looks like Snyder Boulevard area.

[Occupant5143]

Originally Posted by sundancer 87

I miss seeing the streets of Sierra Vista, looks like Snyder Boulevard area.

Just off of Giulio Cesare Avenue actually. It's in the 80's here today. I think I got a bit too much sun today.

[sundancer 87]

I could use a little of that, too much sun