Changing to Symphony
 

My recently purchased car, a 2004 75 Conn SE would presumably originally had a Symphony unit, but a previous owner has installed a modern Sony unit with gawdy blue lights, so as I like 'original', I would like to change it back to the original Symphony unit.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...629f562d_z.jpg

I removed the Sony unit to see what wiring is there - see picture below.

I am hoping that folks can help me with the following questions:

1. If I buy a second-hand Symphony unit the physical fitting will be straightforward, and I guess I'll need to remove the existing adaptor loom shown in the picture,(which will just leave the grey block and the yellow block (shown plugged into the black receptors) and the yellow/green/blue block shown dangling.

But then will the wiring I've got plug straight into the Symphony unit or will I need another adaptor loom?

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...944dfba0_z.jpg

2. I would like to have a 6CD changer and would like to install it in the glove compartment.
Will that be easy to do, a) physically, and b) wiring-wise?

3. Does anyone have a Symphony unit or a CD changer or both for sale?

Thank you.

Your OE stereo was not a Symphony, it would have been a later Iovox or a VDO. The steering wheel control cables are in the green mini ISO connector, the Symphony has them in the grey ISO connector, it would also need the cables for a CD changer and the K Bus in the blue mini ISO connector.

Hmm... so its more complicated than I thought.

The car is an early Facelift (April 04), so looking here https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/s...ad.php?t=79121 suggests the original would have been an IOVOX.

So my quest for originality suggests that I should look out for one of those, probably a CD80 or M3 100. Can anyone say whether they will they plug-and-play with the wiring I've got? And any for sale?

Alternatively, I could settle for just getting another aftermarket unit that has orange lights that are more sympathetic with the Rover orange dash lights (as opposed to the bright blue lights of the existing Sony unit)

Changing to Symphony?
 

If you decide to go for the Symphony unit I have one you could have for the cost of postage.

I have recently gone the other way as the Symphony is an AM/FM Radio Cassette, and I am a CD kind of chap.

Btw I had the new unit (a Kenwood CD/Radio of mid nineties era) installed professionally, it cost me £50. Unfortunately the new unit doesn't work with remote controls.

Anyway, the Symphony unit is yours if you want it?

Cheers, Muttley

Thank you. I’ll send you a PM.

The Symphony controls the separate Alpine 6CD changer, which was an option (normally installed in the glove box).

https://the75andztclub.co.uk/index.p...phony_overview

that's a great link - thank you

Symphony Radio
 

Very informative, thank you.

However, does this mean that simply swapping out a Harmony unit, and replacing it with a Symphony, is not a true factory installation?

In other words, apart from the rear door tweeters, do we also need to add / change the ariel components?

Thanks in anticipation,
Regards

Mike

No. When it left the factory my car originally had the Harmony - I changed it to a Symphony unit which was also a factory item. No aerial components were added/changed to facilitate the Symphony but it did need a different adapter lead to connect to the main harness (i.e. the Harmony adapter lead is different to the Symphony adapter lead).

Edit

I think VUL100330 could be the part number for the Symphony adapter lead.

NB. Apart from being able to control the 6CD changer (if fitted) the Symphony can also be fitted with a low line navigation switch pack which clips into the hole currently occupied by the blanking panel (top right corner looking from front). It's #5 here https://rimmerbros.com/Item--i-GRID001635

Thanks for your reply.

Clearly the upgrade to a Symphony (non-factory installed) was possible, and (possibly not quite as simply) must still be.

Whether the change will also benefit from the "intelligent" ariel connection, is yet to be known.

Yes, VUL 100300 has been identified (in very old posts) as the Symphony adapter cable; however, it is no longer listed at Rimmers.

I am hopeful of doing the same change that David75 originally enquired about, in 3 or 4 weeks time.

I will update this post with any modifications that might be required to those cables that are available (mainly on e-bay)

Regards

Mike