My girlfriend just bought a 2002 Volvo C70 convertible. It has a great stereo - the SC 901. The thing has 10 speakers and 2 9" woofers. The problem is that the head unit sucks. It takes forever to switch tracks and won't read some CD-R's. From what I have read, this is common for these units.

I have two questions:

1. Can I add an iPod adapter using the car's optional 6 disc changer input (see bottom left). Is the sound quality ok? Do you change songs using the iPod? Will it charge the iPod? Who makes the best kit?
(IMG:http://www.wothrline.se/images/Hifi/SC901RDS_grey.JPG)

2. Can I install an aftermarket head unit and use the factory amp? I saw a patch cord on eBay that converts the RCA output from an aftermarket head unit to the input the factory amp needs. I wonder how the sound quality is? Is the Volvo head unit a normal double DIN size? I want this to look as factory as possible.

Any other thoughts, tips or whatever would be great!

1. Apparently so, not tried it myself. Think you have to change songs on the iPod with the vast majority of them. Not heard of anyone who was disappointed with the result.

2. As you've got the 10 speaker version the only thing you might loose is the speed driven volume adjustment (turn off, press and hold 1, turn back on) - it's real good with the top down as you don't have to turn the radio down whenever you have to stop. You'll have either a 60W or a 100W amplifier, so if you do replace the HU, try it with the built in amp first. The 13 speaker setup has an extra analog dolby prologic amp (and a speaker in the middle of the dash) and you generally loose that if you swap the head unit out.

You might also want to think about a dedicated radio coupled music player -

http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?I...mp;SUBCATID=909

Should come in with the sound quality of an FM stereo station (although I find with an walkman transmitter that you need to do a bit of fiddling to get reception good - which might not be possible with the way this one is mounted).

Yes
sound quality is what you would expect from an iPod
depends on the adapter
depends on the adapter, generation of iPod,
IMO, USASpec , will need the newer iPod cable for 2nd gen touch or 3G, 3GS iPhones for charging purposes only


You could
buy it or make one, though buying it is easy, does not matter which stock amplifier you have, by the antenna
sound quality is what you expect staying with a line level signal
normal in the sense it is a Euro double DIN compared to others such as a Japanese DIN, slight variations in dimensions usually sorted with a cosmetic trim ring
depends on the skills of your installer or yourself, plenty of posts floating around with other members showing new double DIN units in place of the factory radio.

Buy the amp adapter, wire harness adapter, use the large antenna plug forget the small one, buy a USA Spec adapter, your model should be either a HON-PA11 or VOL-PA11, good luck.

Thanks for the responses guys. I think I'll go with the iPod adapter initially anyway. It looks like there are two options:

USA Spec
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-427awtlI51i/p...ace.html?tp=120

Blitz
http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=791

Any experience or opinions on either of these?

Just going by the links, your Blitsafe one says it is not compatible with your vehicle. That is the USASpec adapter previously mentioned. I have had mine for ~3 yrs, and works well. Noticed last night at a local stereo shop that aftermarket head units have come a long way in features. Granted they look out of place, and each button does 10 different things, but they are fully packed with options the 901 could never accomplish. Ebay offers the adapters for a few bucks less.

Thanks man. I remember reading a post on another forum that the Blitzsafe will work - despite what the company says. I ordered one last night. I'll keep you posted on how it turns out.

You're right about aftermarket head units. I considered one, but they look way too out of place for this car - imo.

Always asked myself how could the SC-901 be different, considering it was used for all 1st gen C70's(900 included). Should be a cinch to install, to save you a post:
large black plug, back of HU
IGN/ACC - yellow/violet
Constant - 2, use either, red/black, green/brown
not that you need them, but both blacks are ground wires

LOL - awesome. Thanks! What tools do I need to remove the head unit?

Now that question caught me by surprise. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grin.gif)
Your finger, push the 2 small vertical tabs in, and they will pop out partially. Pull the radio out with those 2 tabs, and start unplugging the radio. Make certain you have your code, should be on a card with the owner's manual. You will just use the preset buttons to enter the code, wait a few seconds radio will turn on. Remove the panel under the glove box, and wire tie the adapter and excess cables there. Plenty of space, and if your heater core would happen to leak, it would definitely be out of the way.

I'll take that as a compliment (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bwekk.gif)

Thanks again!

Figure I'll keep my SC-901 until the digital head units come down in price a ways. No point replacing one now and either paying and arm and a leg or having to replace it again in a couple of years time.

HD radio or is this something newer? A couple of years is a pretty long time to wait. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

If you haven't taken a decision on this yet I can heartily recommend the USASpec adapter. The one you need is the PA11 HON (not the VOL one) together with the Volvo cable and the updated cable for charging the current iPods and iPhones. I got mine from www.discountcarstereo.com and have had it installed in my C70 with SC901 for over three years with no problems. I have it located in the armrest cubby with the cabling routed under the trim panels and the iPod or iPhone can thus be kept out of sight.

The sound quality is excellent as all connections are via the dock connector, and all control of the iPod are via the iPod itself. The only thing you can do via the head unit is track forward and track back.