Kenwood KTS-MP400MR upgrade on 2008 34PC
- Thread starter jlanka
- Start date
FTL_Alan
New member
jlanka, I have a related thread .. I have a 2008 350SS.. I can't get the aux jack at the helm to work. Does your system recognize if you connect a phone to the aux jack at the helm? If yes, what do you do to make it work? Do you press the "CD/CH" button to select "AUX EXT" as the source? My system does not display any "AUX EXT" choice. I can only select these 5 choices: Tuner, Sirius, CD, CD Changer, Ext Media (which is the iPod connector). Thanks
jlanka
New member
My AUX works. I'm not on the boat now but from what I remember, there are 2 distinct mode selection buttons, both on the head end and the remote at the helm. I believe the one that offers the CD option also has the AUX as well.
FTL_Alan
New member
Two distinct mode selection buttons.. yes, correct, the first button is just for either am/fm tuner or Sirius radio. The second button is the "CD/CH" button. On mine, this button chooses between 1) the single CD in the receiver, 2) the CD Changer, or 3) "EXT MEDIA" which is the ipod connector. I don't have any option for "AUX".
jlanka, do you also have the ipod connector? If yes, do you see "EXT MEDIA" as the input source on the "CD/CH" button? If yes, how do you get it to switch from "EXT MEDIA" to "AUX"? I've tried disconnecting the ipod but I still only see "EXT MEDIA" as an option.
jlanka, do you also have the ipod connector? If yes, do you see "EXT MEDIA" as the input source on the "CD/CH" button? If yes, how do you get it to switch from "EXT MEDIA" to "AUX"? I've tried disconnecting the ipod but I still only see "EXT MEDIA" as an option.
jlanka
New member
Let me get back to you when I can get down to the boat again. I am leaving for Watkins Glen for 3 days of racing my Porsche GT3 Cup, so it will be Monday before I can get down there.
Jeff
As mentioned previously, this head unit is about as old school as it gets. With that being said, the unit did not come with any dedicated RCA input, but rather uses a bus system to manage ancillaries such as the iPOD/sirius/phono jack. As there are multiple accessories going into the unit, formula would have had to either an RCA switch, or a Kenwood bus switch. From the sounds of it (and I am spit-balling here), it sounds like you may have a KCA-S220A unit installed somewhere to perform the switching that had the jumper switch for the RCA inputs incorrectly set to "off" (thus not activating the AUX mode to the head unit). The phono input may be connected via the RCAs on this switch. I would do a once-over to see if you have one of these switching units installed, or call TAG and ask.
Link to manual: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...00.pdf&usg=AFQjCNHFkop3CT683Q8HX2SWCK9orgZmdg
This is a baited question - the world of car audio is vast. The biggest question that needs to be answered is: "Do you need to keep your various Kenwood accessories (Sirius, stern remote, phono input, etc)"
If the answer is "No" then the world is your oyster in terms of replacement options. If "Yes" then you are, unfortunately, just about SOL. The bus system that Kenwood used on these units has not been in production for years, and finding accessories is next to impossible. It may be easier to adapt a Bluetooth receiver into the system like the one Fusion has available.
Kenwood did make a bluetooth adapter for the system (KCA-BT300). There is one on e-bay right now for $100, but as I have no experience with that accessory I cannot speak to how well it works. It would certainly be the easiest option to get BT as it's plug and play.
I am not aware of any accessories that would allow for USB input into the existing head unit.
toofast
Active member
So for $8 would this work for most of us that have the 1/8" input....
https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Re...ywords=Blackstar+Tone:Link+Bluetooth+Receiver
https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Re...ywords=Blackstar+Tone:Link+Bluetooth+Receiver
toofast
Active member
FTL_Alan
New member
I posted the attached diagram on a different thread. Yes, there is a Kenwood "switching unit" that allows choosing between CD, CD changer, ipod, or the auxiliary inut at the helm. I solved the issue of my auxiliary jack not working by removing the cabin fridge to get to the switching unit, then re-setting the "on/off" switch (on the switching unit) to the "on" position, which then added "AUX ENT" to the input sources managed by the CD/CH button on the head unit and remotes. The bluetooth jack-enabled devices that toofast shows above will absolutely work if you don't want to use a wire to connect your phone to the auxiliary jack.
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jlanka
New member
Thanks for this info, it helps a lot. I'm OK with upgrading to a completely different vendor. I like the Fusion products. Couple of questions along those lines:
1) I'm assuming I would be able to connect all the existing speakers to a top of the line Fusion?
2) Any recommendations for which Fusion you (or anyone else) prefer(s)?
Formula Tenn
New member
Yes on the speaker connections assuming you don't have 12 of them. And still yes but it gets a little more complicated. Top of the line right now is the 750 series i believe but you might get by with a less sophisticated unit depending on what you want to do.
1) Yes - regardless of the number of speakers connected, or if your current system runs pre-outs to amplifiers this will work. The Kenwood HU only plays down to 4ohms, so anything Fusion offers will work with the same spec. The wiring harness from the Kenwood will need to be replaced with the Fusion one, although that is pretty simple stuff and the wiring colors should be the same (most stuff is universal in this regard)
2) Anything Fusion makes is quality, so you can't really go wrong. I would go with MS-UV650 or MS-UV755 (the only difference I can see between the two is a color screen) as they have Android compatibility, or the RA70 (less expensive) if all you use are apple products. All three will check the boxes for bluetooth and USB, plus you can zone them using the Fusion app on your phone.
EDIT: If you are not 100% on Fusion products there are many significantly cheaper options that will get you USB and BT. You may loose some functionality (ie: controlling zones independently, nifty app control, etc) but could get away with a sub $150 HU that will fit the bill.
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Glad you were able to get it figured out!
jlanka
New member
That sounds great, I think I'm leaning toward the UV755 at this point. I don't mind paying for quality and it sounds like that's what the Fusion products are. Thanks.
jlanka
New member
Thanks, I may need a few questions answered. I removed the panel last night just to see what I have back there, (should have taken a picture) and on the back of the Kenwood there is a harness with about 8 or 10 colored wires. I'm assuming that is the speaker output harness. So I would cut those wires, and wire them into the Fusion harness, correct? When you mention pre-amps, those would be downstream from the existing speaker connections (if any) and I would just leave those in place?
I have 2 speakers in the cabin, and 6 speakers in the cockpit, plus there is a sub under the captains seats.
