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Retrosound or Custom Autosound radios?

82355

82355

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Looking for opinions/feedback on these radios. Has anyone had both? I want a radio, but I don't want to cut the dash.

Was thinking about this one?

www.classiccarstereos.com

1973-1988 Chevy Truck C/K Series USA-230 Radio

Check out the deal on 1973-1988 Chevy Truck C/K Series USA-230 Radio at Classic Car Stereos
www.classiccarstereos.com www.classiccarstereos.com

Or this one?

www.crutchfield.com

RetroRadio M1A (Chrome buttons)

AM/FM receiver with aux input for classic cars — does not play CDs
www.crutchfield.com www.crutchfield.com

Martin
 
Custom Auto sound has faceplates (more money) that look more OEM. Uses RCA input for AUX.

Retrosound has a more generic look. Has actual AUX plug.

Both are 18 watts/rms, and both have outputs for an external amplifier.

Both are very basic radios that are far worse then even the cheapest din sized radios available. But they look OEM and that's what you're paying for.

The retro sound starts beating custom auto sound with second tier models. Bluetooth, inputs, etc.

The top model of both are similar again. Skews towards Retro.

They're Similar enough that your buying based on how you want your inputs setup
 
Also, I'm jealous your dash is not cut. Someone hacked mine poorly to fit a DIN radio. I have a radio section from another dash I get to frankenstein onto my dash someday.

When I upgrade/restore my gauges I get to decide if I'm going back to OEM style radio or keep the DIN unit.

I also thought about going with an autometer invision LCD display setup and getting a hidden marine style radio with a remote.
 
I am going with the Retrosound because they are the only ones that make an odd-ball 1.5 DIN stereo that 1988 to 1995 GM trucks came with. Retrosound is located less than a mile from where I work.
 
I am restoring an 87 blazer and dealing with the same. I am lucky enough to have original unit. But what I want is tuff to match. One option I’m kicking around is vintage alpine “shaft style”. It would look aftermarket of the same error. No cuts. Although, run into same issues. Check out “out of sight audio, mark 4”. Modern sound but must be controlled by smartphone. Looking forward to reading the responses on this thread. Thanks!!
 
In for more responses.

My intent is to run one of these (or similar) when I get to where I can work on the truck again. Bluetooth is the main deal for me, no reason to run a CB if I can run FRS/GMRS via Bluetooth through the radio, but the failures within the Delco unit make it easy to consider something else in any case.

I've tried, but have not been successful, in comparing the output rating of these aftermarket units to what the Delco's were, stock. My truck (for now) is pretty loud inside, having enough output to hear the radio would be a good thing. Wouldn't be near as happy if the Delco's had more output.

Those two are basically the only options anyone has without cutting up the dash, or using the stock head unit, correct?
 
Btw if this is outside the scope of the thread, I can delete it, I purchased adapter "pigtails" off ebay that will allow us to connect the aftermarket radios without cutting any of the stock radio wiring...speakers, power, etc.

eBay auction link
 
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I’m using a retro sound. Functionally it’s been good, but the knobs are kinda flaky. I had to modify them so the inner adjustment ring would turn freely from the button knob. Otherwise when I’d turn up the volume, it would also adjust the fader.
 
I have a custom auto sound head unit designed for a chevelle in the 74. My Dad bought it and didn’t use it for some reason so I did. It works well with an amp, couple 6x9’s and I have a input cable for streaming music.
 
I had a retro sound in my 87 Blazer. Amp died on it after 2 months. Sent it in for warranty. 6 weeks later I had it back. Work 3 weeks and it died again. Only one repair allowed on the warranty. They claimed I was shorting out the speakers with old wires. Nope. I have replaced everything and was in sheathing.
 
I have the Custom Auto Sound USA-630, with an add on Bluetooth.
Been an ok radio for me, I did have a weird issue where the it would change channel regularly at set time interval. I called there tech support and they were very helpful, and new right away what was wrong. I had some how accessed a feature for Europe. Got it out of that feature been good since.
I run the Bluetooth most, answering and talking are reasonable quality.
I have been standing at the rear of my suburban, with barn doors open, answered the phone through the Bluetooth radio, the other party could hear me speak clearly and I could hear them well.
I also have a large USB drive with a ton of music plugged into the radio.
The led script on radio will tell you what you are listening to. My only complaint for the USB is it doesn't remember where you left off always starts a track 1, band alphabetical.
There may be away to set it random.
This is the biggest issue, documentation is very minimal, hard to figure out what features are available.
If I was doing another radio I would get the 740 which has bluetooth built in.
 
82355 said:
Looking for opinions/feedback on these radios. Has anyone had both? I want a radio, but I don't want to cut the dash.

Was thinking about this one?

www.classiccarstereos.com

1973-1988 Chevy Truck C/K Series USA-230 Radio

Check out the deal on 1973-1988 Chevy Truck C/K Series USA-230 Radio at Classic Car Stereos
www.classiccarstereos.com www.classiccarstereos.com

Or this one?

www.crutchfield.com

RetroRadio M1A (Chrome buttons)

AM/FM receiver with aux input for classic cars — does not play CDs
www.crutchfield.com www.crutchfield.com

Martin
Click to expand...
I have the Retrosound Laguna in my 73 C10. https://ck5.com/forums/threads/1973-c10-the-purple-truck.331985/post-4042602

95% of the time I'm using an Echo Auto thru the aux cable to connect to my phone with bluetooth. The cost of the Laguna plus the Echo Auto was cheaper than buying the bluetooth equipped RetroSound. This works well for me. Usually the only problems I have are with the Amazon device not wanting to connect with my phone - which I'm starting to think is more of an issue with the phone.

Every once in a while the RetroSound will do something glitchy, but it never lasts. For an example, it would change the radio tuner dial one click - it would even beep like I had touched the knob, but that only lasted for a couple weeks and it's not doing it anymore. It has done one other similar thing but I can't remember what because as I said it doesn't do it for long. :dunno:


dyeager535 said:
Btw if this is outside the scope of the thread, I can delete it, I purchased adapter "pigtails" off ebay that will allow us to connect the aftermarket radios without cutting any of the stock radio wiring...speakers, power, etc.

eBay auction link
Click to expand...
I couldn't find an adapter that worked with my C10. https://ck5.com/forums/threads/1973-c10-the-purple-truck.331985/post-4042605
 
How is the volume and distortion at higher output levels? Not going to lie, I'm deaf and the truck is loud, so outside of sitting and listening, I'll need to be able to crank it up.
 
I too am deaf and when I am alone in the truck volume is 3/4 and above. No distortion, with jvc lower/mid-level 6 1/4" speakers mounted in front doors. Foam speaker cup behind them
 
Have two retrosound units. The new laguna uoi have pictured is OK I have it in my K30 so it hasn't ran long enough for me to figure out how to get it to stop changing colors lol.
The older unit pictured is in excess of 10 years old and not as nice looking but I installed it out of the box. One feature I like is it has a remote mount receiver for an SD card, aux jack, and USB. When I ordered the newer unit I couldn't find this option.
I know not much help but maybe a heads up as in something to look for

IMG_20210603_191729_113.jpg
 
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