I've been researching aftermarket head unit options to replace the factory satnav screen for some time, but was put off/mislead by posts declaring that the Top Hi Fi SatNav option sent a digital signal - not analog to the amp.
This is, at best, a half truth, as I found a detailed wiring document that showed both Sat Nav and Business CD options send analog signals to the amp from the head unit.
The Sat Nav head unit additionally uses the K-Bus to send commands to control the DSP functions, but that's it.
The CD-Changer has a digital connection to the amp (its the only thing that sends a digital sound signal), but the CD player in the console is sending analog all the way back to the Amp.
Even after a massive speaker upgrade I don't hear a discernible diff between the console CD player and CD Changer sound quality, but I did hear a noticeable diff playing the same tracks thru my recently installed Avin X3 Android head unit - It sounded muddy/muffled in comparison to the same track played on CD.
So I cut out the Aux 3.5mm phono plug to Jack to Jack to 3.5mm phono plug that is 'required' for the Avin install by cutting and soldering the wires directly together (eliminating all jacks and plugs plus .5 m of wiring). What a difference that made! Night and day! The Avin sound now easily bests CD and CD changer sound (as it should since it has a far more modern DAC)
This is, at best, a half truth, as I found a detailed wiring document that showed both Sat Nav and Business CD options send analog signals to the amp from the head unit.
The Sat Nav head unit additionally uses the K-Bus to send commands to control the DSP functions, but that's it.
The CD-Changer has a digital connection to the amp (its the only thing that sends a digital sound signal), but the CD player in the console is sending analog all the way back to the Amp.
Even after a massive speaker upgrade I don't hear a discernible diff between the console CD player and CD Changer sound quality, but I did hear a noticeable diff playing the same tracks thru my recently installed Avin X3 Android head unit - It sounded muddy/muffled in comparison to the same track played on CD.
So I cut out the Aux 3.5mm phono plug to Jack to Jack to 3.5mm phono plug that is 'required' for the Avin install by cutting and soldering the wires directly together (eliminating all jacks and plugs plus .5 m of wiring). What a difference that made! Night and day! The Avin sound now easily bests CD and CD changer sound (as it should since it has a far more modern DAC)