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Audio options - what’s out there?

J

JohnC

Veteran Member
Senior Member
This is more me thinking about my options for the C10, but wondering if anyone has input on what worked for them.

I want to keep the Delco am radio for looks. I hear there are quality amplifiers in these things so one option is to
1. solder in an aux jack and connect the iPhone. Cheap. When I crank the volume on the am radio it ain’t very loud. Not sure if that’s a radio problem or a speaker problem (original dash speaker).
2. Aurora Designs conversion. Adds Fm tuner. Radio is cleaned up, painted and looks great. $400 is pretty spendy for the base conversion and more like $600 if you add USB and Bluetooth.
3. Redirad - allows you to add an aux-in jack to your vintage radio without hacking it up. $129 but it has to be an am/fm or Fm stereo so doesn’t help me at all.
4. Hidden radio. Stock am radio does nothing but look cool. Not really interested in having a non functional stereo in the dash.
 
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This is the option that looks most intriguing. Add Fm tuner and Bluetooth for $50 kit

Haven’t seen any reviews. For for only $50 I might take a chance. Probably a collection of Chinese eBay quality components but at least I don’t have to research and cobble together the parts.

www.retroradioshop.com

Retro Vintage Or Antique Radio Bluetooth & FM Upgrade Kit

Turn your retro, vintage or antique AM radio into a Bluetooth and/or FM receiver with the Retro Radio Shops Aux Input Board/Bluetooth and FM installation kit. This package contains all the parts and information required to safely complete the project. All you will need is a few basic hand and...
www.retroradioshop.com www.retroradioshop.com
 
JohnC said:
This is the option that looks most intriguing. Add Fm tuner and Bluetooth for $50 kit

Haven’t seen any reviews. For for only $50 I might take a chance. Probably a collection of Chinese eBay quality components but at least I don’t have to research and cobble together the parts.

www.retroradioshop.com

Retro Vintage Or Antique Radio Bluetooth & FM Upgrade Kit

Turn your retro, vintage or antique AM radio into a Bluetooth and/or FM receiver with the Retro Radio Shops Aux Input Board/Bluetooth and FM installation kit. This package contains all the parts and information required to safely complete the project. All you will need is a few basic hand and...
www.retroradioshop.com www.retroradioshop.com
Click to expand...

I'd spend the $50 to try it out. That seems like the best option.
 
I like the 50 dollar add on, I might follow you down this path. Is there a free ap that doesn't have commercials?
 
I have 2 of these. https://www.retromanufacturing.com/
They have some quirks lot not working right when you have HEI, had to put a couple RF coils on one of the cables to make it not cut out.
I like then USB plug, put a couple hundred song on the memory stick.
 
I messaged the company above about the $50 fm tuner/ Bluetooth upgrade. Turns out that is for AC radios. Their car kit is called the mobilemitter. It sounds like it’s essentially an am modulator - broadcasts an AM signal that you tune your radio to. Not sure what that sound quality would be like. I also fear that my Delco am radio is not working well. I can pull in am radio stations but it’s a bit staticy and the signal seems to wander a bit. It’s also not very loud. I might pull the radio and bench test it with a better speaker and antenna.
The company above upgrades radios and sells them. They said they can put an aux input and Bluetooth in my radio for $150. Then I can run their Fm tuner through the aux input or phone through the aux or Bluetooth.
www.retroradioshop.com

“MobileMitter” Car AM Transmitter And Bluetooth/FM Adapter For Retro Vintage Or Antique Car Radios

Turn your vintage cars AM radio into a Bluetooth receiver with the MobileMitter! —-NEW—- Now comes with the option of an FM module so you can listen to FM stations on your AM radio! No alterations to your vintage set required. Stream wirelessly through its internal Bluetooth adapter or plug...
www.retroradioshop.com www.retroradioshop.com
I am more open to the idea of an aftermarket, retro styles radio for all the bells and whistles.

This is another option. A Bluetooth amplifier. Hide under the seat, connect phone via Bluetooth. No headunit. I’d keep the am radio in the dash for looks.
This option is looking more and more attractive.
This amp is small enough people mount them on motorcycles.
 
This looks pretty cool too. Tiny. Not gonna have the power to rattle your lugnuts off but I have limited needs

PX Amplified Controllers

KICKER produces high-performance car audio, vehicle specific solutions, marine audio, home and personal audio, and power sports products since 1973.
www.kicker.com www.kicker.com
 
I have a RetroSound Model II with Rockford Fosgate speakers, 5.25" in kick panels & 6"X9" in the rear deck, sounds good but never had it on while driving LOL
 
RIGHT ! I'm the same. I love to hear the engine hum and rumble.

I did install the kick panel speakers as well and it does sound nice.
 
 
My Bronze Chevelle has a factory AM/FM, it needs some repair but still works. I have a cigarette lighter BlueTooth device in my Mercedes that I tune my radio to, mine is set for 104.5 as there are no stations around here on that frequency. I stream from my phone to it and it plays. $20 on Amazon
 
It’s alive!!
Wrestled the Delco radio out this afternoon to bench test it. Unfortunately the original cardboard glovebox and some of the AC duct work took a beating and may need to be replaced. They are 50 years old and we’re very brittle. May they rest in peace.

Hooked the radio up to the Ken Harrison dash speaker that I had in the Chevelle and initially it was not particularly loud and sounded pretty crappy but I could list to am station. The I noticed a a little screw just above the tuning know labeled “ADJ ANT.” Turned the screw a bit and it was definitely sounding better and a lot louder. I might see if I can add an aux input myself or maybe more likely send it off for aux input and a Bluetooth module. $150 seems reasonable.
While I’ve got it torn out I’ll replace the dash speaker and clean up the radio.


I don’t know car audio. The electrical connector on the back of the radio has only 3 wires, power and 2 to the speaker. Looks like it’s grounded through the support strap on the back.
How would I add a simple set of kick panel or underseat 550D83B8-847E-411C-80BE-B2A4BF143635.jpegspeakers? I assume I’d need to add an amp?

Thanks
 
This is the bulb that lights up the dial. Want to get a brighter bulb.
 

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I have the version one up from that one (cost $199), but I wouldn't velcro it to my dash. The one I have isn't too light and it'd be one hell of a projectile in an accident.
 
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