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12-27-2013 | #1 |
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: New York State
Posts: 42
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Is the original Bose worth saving?
Hi,
Looking for some advice. I have a 1991 ZR1 in awesome condition. My original radio head works fine and will play CDs just fine. Unfortunately, my speakers are shot and need new amps. I am down to only the passenger door speaker and it sounds like garbage. I have spoken to the folks at Dr. Don's and would definitely go that route. It will be new amps for the 4 speakers, so ~400.00. This got me thinking, I could get a pretty decent multi-disc, modern head and new speakers for about the same amount. I am not some audiophile, but is the original Bose set-up worth saving? If everything is working properly does it sound nice? I would save all the Bose components, as I really like my cars stock appearing. Getting it all fixed only to be disappointed by the sound quality would make me feel pretty foolish. Bose has always made great stuff, but does 23 years make it seem VERY outdated? Appreciate you comments. John |
12-27-2013 | #2 | |
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Beaver, PA
Posts: 516
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Re: Is the original Bose worth saving?
Quote:
The Bose in mine sounds great and the amps can be had at a discount price from a junk yard. There are several guys on here talking about Nissan (I think) having the same amps and I remember one guy on here going to a junk yard to buy as many as he could find. We are talking way cheaper compared to on line replacements etc. I fixed mine by replacing the bad electrolytic capacitors in them. One thing you do get with newer technology is the ability to use iPods etc. etc. Someone on here even modified a Bose head unit for ipods and/or aux inputs. Your call but I am staying with the original stuff. |
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12-27-2013 | #3 | |
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: South Dakota/California
Posts: 3,797
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Re: Is the original Bose worth saving?
Quote:
See Bose Speaker Amp Options TIPS
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Left Clickable links -Solutions- LT5 Modifications/Rebuild Tricks Low Mileage ZR-1 Restoration 1990 Corvette (L98) Modifications LT5 Eliminated Systems LT5 Added Systems LT5/ZR-1 Fluids 1995 LT5 SPECIFIC TOP END REBUILD TRICKS Last edited by Dynomite; 12-27-2013 at 09:54 PM. |
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12-28-2013 | #4 |
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: PA
Posts: 772
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Re: Is the original Bose worth saving?
I sent all four speakers, the head unit, and the other piece buried under the glove box (can't remember the name) to a place in FL (Dr. Don in TX does it also). Had all four speakers and head unit rebuilt, an iPod jack installed with a cord so I could hide it in the center console. Cost $700 w/ a lifetime speaker warranty on the speakers, (have to pay for shipping though if they break). Had I known about this site first, I would've rebuilt the speakers myself. The original system sounds awesome. You have to decide if you like originality or new technology. If your handy, you could install new speakers and head unit yourself for the same or less than a rebuild (depending on what you buy).
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Joe 1990 Bright Red ZR-1 #2599 |
12-28-2013 | #5 |
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Found Member
Posts: 4,346
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Re: Is the original Bose worth saving?
IMO the later years 94-95 Bose sound much better than the early 90-91 year radios. And again IMO (94-5) are well worth saving.
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Frank Urbo. NCM Lifetime member # 982 Registry Founding # 237 |
12-28-2013 | #6 |
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: ATL. GA.
Posts: 2,170
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Re: Is the original Bose worth saving?
Can you have the face plate changed (or keys) on the later head units so the buttons will match? Is it a plug and play swap?
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Steve 1990 Steel Blue/Black #2355 1990 Red/Red #1473 1991 Quasar /Black #118 Sold 1991 Turquoise/Black #766 Parted Out 1993 Yellow/White #179 Sold 1990 Black/Gray #1361 Headers/4:10s Sold |
01-17-2014 | #7 |
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: New York State
Posts: 42
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Re: Is the original Bose worth saving?
Thanks for those who provided their advice and opinion. Like most I prefer the sound of the LT5, so the stereo was not a huge deal. I also prefer originality. That being said, I pulled the four amps out and sent them to Dr. Don's for upgrade and refurb. I was not having much luck with finding amps from the local boneyards, and realized I could just end up buying broken one's or one's that died in a month. The amps I get back will be guaranteed for life, so that's the way I went. I will report my thoughts and results after I get them back and re-install them. Btw, for anyone planning the same job, removing the front amps was easy, the rears were a bit more challenging, but I got them out without breaking anything else.
Thanks again. John |
01-27-2014 | #8 |
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: New York State
Posts: 42
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Re: Is the original Bose worth saving?
So I am another pleased and satisfied customer of Dr. Don's. Got my four amps back in about a week, and put them back in this weekend. Got in, turned key to ACC and I had great sounding tunes again! Excellent volume I might add. And when there's a break in the music, there is absolute silence, no hissing or static. I like that.
Thanks again to all who encouraged me to keep the Bose and keep it stock. I made the right choice. 5 more months of of below zero temps and I'll be able to drive it again! John |
01-27-2014 | #9 | |
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Portland Oregon metro area (Washington side)
Posts: 3,207
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Re: Is the original Bose worth saving?
Quote:
Usually what goes wrong with the amps is that one of the electrolytic caps starts leaking (internal electrical leakage not actual leakage). Back in the late 80s there was a world wide infiltration of poor quality caps. Problems surface for years after in all manor of electronics gear. I fix mine some years back (see link) but when the news from Mike hit about the Nissan 95-98 Maxima having the same amps I picked up four for free out of a friends car that was being junked. http://www.zr1netregistry.com/Inform...nd-Repair.aspx Original post from Mike: http://www.zr1.net/forum/showpost.ph...98&postcount=1
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Scott Vett owner since 1979._It's about the car and the people |
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01-27-2014 | #10 |
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Ellicott City, MD
Posts: 1,699
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Re: Is the original Bose worth saving?
Got my Bose repaired and upgraded by Dr. Don. Have the AUX input directly wired into the radio and have the input installed in my center console. All the looks of stock with modern features. Thanks to SecondChance for doing the install for me. Have attached photos.
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Charlie __________ Dredgeguy WAZOO Member 1992 Bright Red/Black ZR1 #246 Dana 4:10 gears Polished LT5 by Haibeck Polished Fikse FM5's with Michelin Pilot Sport 2 Stainless Works headers and cats with Corsa |
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