Need advice / recommendations on DAB digital radio options

[Hezz]

Hello all,

I have an Audi A4 Cabriolet (2004), factory fitted with the Bose Concert radio / CD player.
I am looking to upgrade to digital DAB radio and don't want to spend huge amounts changing the head unit. I am looking at a product called Revo which costs about £70, InCarDAB.com and wonder if it is compatible with the Bose Concert.

I need to know whether the Bose Concert has an auxiliary input at the back, so I can connect the Revo directly using the supplied RCA phono connectors.

Alternatively, does the Concert have a small connector of the type that a CD changer / ipod adapter would use? Would a non-Audi device such as the Revo work with it?

Otherwise, my only option with the Revo would be to use the FM modulation input but the sound quality would suffer..

Has anyone else experimented with DAB receivers or specifically owns the Revo?

My other issue is where to mount the unit, so it is not so visible to thieves who might think the base unit is part of a sat-nav... and I don't really want to be sticking adhesive pads onto my car's dash! I'm thinking it could sit in the centre console in front of the gear stick.. any comments?

thanks for your assistance
Helen.

P.S. I am in Watford, Herts. Any recommendations for a decent local car audio shop?

[craigyb]

You can add an aux adaptor quite cheaply so that you get the signal from the REVO (or whatever) to the radio clearly, these are not expensive (around £40 off ebay) and are selected when by the CD button, it emulates the CD changer. Unless of course you have a 6 CD in the glovebox and in that case you don't have the CD input available.

The main problem is where your put the DAB antenna, not much available glass in the cabby besides the screen, so it would have to go there. All your other antennas are in the boot lid and if your REVO has an inline connector for the antenna it may stop the FM radio working as the radio sends phantom power down the antenna cable.

[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']I have never put DAB into an A3/A4 because of these issues and as you state, where to mount it.[/font]

[Hezz]

OK, in the end I purchased a Pure Highway - top bit of kit!

Only £70 and allows you not only to listen to DAB radio (via FM modulation, or line out to your head unit) but you can also plug devices into the line in (e.g. Ipod, MP3 player) and use it to listen to those too.

Aerial attaches to the inside of your windscreen. Powered by cigarette lighter, or 2 x AA batteries, which means you can take the unit out of the car, plug headphones in, and listen to DAB whilst wandering around out and about!

Better value than the Revo... easy to use ... lots of features .. would highly recommend!

Helen.