Which Sound System for Satellite?

[Balzac]

Hi, If ordering a 03 Ram, and planning on installing Satellite Radio, which system would you order from DC?

It appears like you can order only the Infinity sound system without a radio?

Thanks,

Jim

 

[ntenna]

DC has an agreement with Sirius, but not with XM. You can order several versions of the Sirius satellite radios which are shown in the DC accessories catalog that they have at the parts counters. One even has a Navi system in it. Want to bet that's not cheap? I didn't even want to know the price!



You can of course get an XM Radio tuner and feed it to the factory radio by cassette adaptor or FM modulator. I have not seen a Sirius separate system with adapters yet but I'm sure they are out there... ...

 

[dnitzel]

I think the satellite system is a dealer installed item, and it's a Sirius system for about $200. I have an XM receiver in my current truck and have purchased a new Alpine head unit for my forth coming '03. I've had the XM radio for a year now and LOVE IT! I've only bought 3 CDs since then. I'm sure the Sirius is comparable.



I was not very impressed with the Infinity system Dodge offered after I listened to it at the dealer in a test drive truck, but I'm pretty picky about my soundz. I’m sure there are many people who are very happy with their Dodge/Infinity system, though.



For my new truck, I ordered it with the standard radio and will change out the head unit and speakers right after I get my new truck. However, I'll have much more than $900 wrapped up in my new system for my new truck, say $2000 or $3000, and I’m sure that’s a bit steep for most people. Details for the new truck include an Alpine CDA-7897 head unit, an Alpine TUA-T0202XM receiver with Terk antenna, JL audio Evolution XR speakers for all four doors and a decent under the seat sub-woofer (if I can find one yet), and one under the seat Rockford Fosgate amp for the sub and an MTX amp for the door speakers. No CD changer.



I did not order the steering wheel radio controls. They are really nice, and I’ve had them before, but I was concerned if there was going to be an interface adapter or a compatibility issue from the Dodge steering wheel controls to an aftermarket system. On my ‘98 ram, it had the Infinity system and the stock head unit was made by Alpine. Adding an Alpine changer to it was a snap and was over half the price of the dealer unit. I don’t know who makes the newest stuff in the Dodges.



You may want to check out a REPUTABLE car audio store and have them install an aftermarket sound system. A person should be able to get a nice high power head unit and decent speakers installed for $1200 or less. You WILL enjoy the satellite radio! To see what’s available, check out www.siriusradio.com or www.xmradio.com

 

[kevincook]

Originally posted by ntenna

DC has an agreement with Sirius, but not with XM. You can order several versions of the Sirius satellite radios which are shown in the DC accessories catalog that they have at the parts counters. One even has a Navi system in it. Want to bet that's not cheap? I didn't even want to know the price!



You can of course get an XM Radio tuner and feed it to the factory radio by cassette adaptor or FM modulator. I have not seen a Sirius separate system with adapters yet but I'm sure they are out there... ...

With the XM radio and the home kit (Delphi system) you can listen to it in your home or on the boom box!



KC

 

[jwoelfle]

Hey dnitzel,



consider the RF version of the Alpine XM... it uses the same T020 tuner but you get an rf modulated adapter that allows an aux input... and Circuit City has them on sale right now for 179. You still use the Ai-net connection from the XM tuner to the head. I just finished installing mine with my 7894 head yesterday. I wired up a patch cord for the aux input to a 1/8" stereo panel mounted jack and intalled the jack in the floor console... can't even see it unless you look for it. I'll be using the aux input to feed audio from a laptop with DVD for the wife to watch while we travel.



All in all, I'm very impressed with the 7894 and the XM tuner... they sound sweet even through the stock speakers. I'm waiting for my FatMat to come in before I put my Crystal components in the front and rear doors and mount my Monitor amp.



Jim



BTW my XM receives perfectly with the antenna on the dash, tucked away over by the A pillar... can't really see it from outside the truck