Miata Mailing List: October 1993, Message #119
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   From: "Michael Simmons" 
Subject: CD changers
   Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1993 06:07:07 -0400

Brad Martinson writes:
> A couple Q's about CD Changers:
max
> 1) anybody out there installed one in their beloved little car yet?
> 2) Where did you mount the changer unit. Trunk space is, umm, somewhat
>  limited, as Consumers Reports might put it. I'm loath to sacrifice that
>   large area in the center of the trunk...

I've tried a couple of Alpine CD changers in different locations and
positions.  The 5957 was very good, but the 5959S is terrific, both
in sound and skipping.  Having it vertical in the trunk was not
satisfactory to me; too much skipping.  When horizontal, the 5959S does
not skip except on bumps so hard my head hurts.  I believe there's a
shelf at the back of the trunk where you might be able to mount it out
of the way, but I'm not sure since the back of my trunk is filled with
a woofer enclosure.  My CD is near the latch, on top of a false floor
over the small well which now contains the amps and crossovers.  I
think it's a good idea to keep it where you can get to it when you
have the trunk packed for a trip so you don't have too much trouble
changing cartridges on the road.

If you are keeping the stock head unit (I did so I wouldn't have to
worry about a new one being stolen and I use the CD almost all the
time) most CD's have to go through the FM tuner, with a resulting
degradation of sound.  Alpine has a system (Shuttle Link?) that
uses it's own pre-amp to get the CD input directly to the amp.  It
controls which input the amp sees.  Not expensive and well worth it.
You need a separate controller if you don't have an aftermarket head
unit with CD controls.  My CD controller is mounted in the ash tray
so no one will see it when it's closed.

As far as whether or not it's worth it, you don't lose much space,
although it does make the space even more irregular.  But I would
never again be without a CD changer.  The convenience is worth it alone,
and it's great to be able to change music as the mood strikes or the
scenery changes on a trip.  If music is important to you, you'll never
regret it.

Mike Simmons

P.S. With soft luggage we always manage to get everything in the trunk
(maybe a small bag up front) for 3- or 4-day trips, even with the CD
changer, 2 amps, a crossover and 2 8-inch woofers.  Forget Consumer
Reports stating the obvious.  You'll manage.  With a little creativity.
(But we don't put anything breakable in the trunk when it's packed
like that).