Sounds storm labs...Is junk

[travisr1988]

My JVC head unit finally kicked the bucket (controls stopped working) a couple months back...After being in 3 different trucks, and 1 rollover accident. So, naturally after a couple weeks I started looking for a replacement and found a ssl mechless unit on sale for $10, normally $20, so I figured what the heck. At first it was good, didn't have the adjustability or sound quality the jvc had...But had an SD card slot which is awesome! Well a month later and I have controls but no sound...Not a peep! So I checked the wiring, all good, checked the settings, good, checked the speakers connections, good, used new wire with some new speakers I haven't installed in the kicks yet (project for a later time), still no sound. Ok, so I did some research and found that it most likely had an amp failure...Ok, no problem, I'll wire up the brand new amp my brother gave me...Still no sound, no power from the remote wire from the head unit. Great! So now it looks like I'll be buying and installing another head unit...But wait! My choices are very limited with sd card slot...And even more so in the inexpensive price range ($50 max)...So I'm looking at a blaupunkt for $30 or a Clarion for $50, I've heard good about both of these brands...But I have also been told that blaupunkt quality has drastically dropped...Is this true?

If you were to buy blaupunkt or Clarion, which would it be and why?

[VileZambonie]

You get what you pay for. Why do you need an SD card slot?

https://www.crutchfield.com/g_300/All-Car-Stereos.html#&avf=Y&nvpair=FFCard_Slot|SD

[philo_beddoe]

Why are those prices so much cheaper than the modern "classic looking" receivers?

https://www.retromanufacturing.com/products/1973-87-chevrolet-c-k-series-trucks-long-beach-radio?variant=28568791747

[travisr1988]

SD card slot does the same as USB, without the USB drive...I can load an SD card and plug it in with nothing hanging out to accidentally hit. Anyway...I decided to test the amp by switching the remote wire over to the key on hot for the radio...Well I got sound...Horrible, low volume (maxed), distorted as can be sound....so, knowing the amp is brand new it still looks like the head unit is the culprit. As for getting what I paid for, I usually buy cheap pioneer, Kenwood, or JVC and have had good luck, but I'm kind of set on the SD card slot...The JVC I had was in 3 different trucks in a period of almost a decade and worked most of its life after I rolled the original truck it was in, it was a cheap model that came with a set of speakers for $30. I got what I paid for with that one for sure.

[MrFiveOh]

Why  not get a digital media receiver then? I have the KMM-BT51 mainly cause i dont use CD's and everything i play is via bluetooth or USB. Plus is weighs alot less.

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-i9GLcsbOmnv/g_300/All-Car-Stereos.html?&pg=1#&nvpair=FFBrand|Kenwood&nvpair=AG_Type|ffDigital_Media&nvpair=FFSize|Single-DIN

[GMCMedic]

Usb drives are as close as they will ever get to flush.


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[VileZambonie]

Just use bluetooth and keep everything on your phone.

[travisr1988]

I don't want to use my phone all the time for many reasons, I have a small USB but it isn't flush...SD card is flush, the until I had was a digital media receiver.