xy88

I am thinking to replace the factory head unit with Alpine HU. However, I do not know if the new head unit will work with the MB CD changer that the dealer installed. Please give some advice. Thank you in advance!

Buellwinkle

If you do it, the CD changer is throw away as well as the MFD and steering wheel control. Why would you change the factory Alpine unit that sounds bad for another Alpine (sorry, they all sound bad)?

xy88

Does Audio 10 sound so much better than the original one? Do they all have built-in amps? Thanks.

ahwang

I am ordering an Audio 10 CD Deck from Ebay.de. Before I order that, I haven't got a chance to compare the stock HU with the Audio 10. Now the CD changer and stock HU are using D2B interface instead of the traditional analog interface. It means the digital signal from the CD changer is converted into analog signal using the dummy built-in D/A converter in the stock HU, not the one in the CD changer. Then the analog signal will be amplified by the cassette amplifier, not the amplifier designed for the CD. That's why the overall sound is lacking of deep bass and clear treble. Changing to Audio 10 is worthy if you don't want to lose the dash display and the steering wheel buttons. As a result, without physically hearing the difference btw the stock and audio 10, I still feel confident that buying an Audio 10 is the best and efficent way to upgrade the audio system.

Buellwinkle

Other than defects people had with their Audio 10, including my first one, nobody has regretted getting the Audio 10 and later swapped it out for an aftermarket HU. I think you'll be amazed at how good the speakers sound because that's most peoples first reaction with the cassette radio, the speakers are bad.

Just as a warning, make sure you get the correct one for the W203 because they make different radio's called the Audio 10. To be sure it has to say BE-6021 as the model number. Also when you bid in on German e-bay most say Germany only, don't bid on an item unless you contact the seller and get his permission to do so for a sale outside Germany. Also note that most auctions in Germany make the buyer pay for E-Bay fees and you'll have to do an international wire transfer (don't ask me why, Germans don't like money order or cashiers checks), see what your bank charges for this. Shipping seems to run about $30 for 2 week delivery. Make sure they package it really well, my first one broke in shipping. Also note that the exchange rate has not been in our favor recently.

All in all it's all worth it and I have done it twice, I liked it so much.

schwarz c230

I went with thw Alpine hu, the factory changer will not work with the alipine hu, I sold the factory changer on e-bay for 400$, and bought the Alpine one that plays mp3's, I think it was only 300$

vadim

I will second the statement from the previous post. The difference in sound of the Audio 10 vs stock unit is stunning. Which leads me to believe that the whole sound system was designed around the Audio 10 unit, in the first place.