I consider myself decently knowledgeable about car audio equipment, but I need some other opinions on a topic. I have a almost mint condition factory stereo for my '88 trans am. My original idea was to use it with the factory steering wheel controls, but have all high quality audio behind it. I want to use a real good "hide-away" alpine signal processor that has the display attched to it with a cable to be positioned anywhere. I would have to get those little converters that change from speaker wire to RCA jacks for the inputs. I figured that the signal processor would allow me have great sound while keeping the factory head unit. I could then build the rest of the system behind it. I've thinking alot about this and I'm beginning to think the factory head unit is just going to cause the rest of the system to sound like crap no matter what I have behind it. I'm thinking of selling the head unit and just get a quality aftermarket unit. Does anyone have any thoughts?

The factory head unit sounds terrible. It has a very limited bandwidth. No matter what's behind it, it's still going to sound bad. Get a nice quality aftermarket head unit or a late model Delco that has the speed-variable volume control. The quality of that head unit is significantly better than what you have.

The Alpine CDA-9853 deck sounds like it can be hooked up to your steering wheel.

CDA-9853:
This unit is OEM Steering Remote Ready so you can still control your head unit conveniently from your steering wheel. (3rd party adaptor required).

http://www.alpine-usa.com

I am sure the price of the deck and adapter would not make it financially practical to do it though.

You also want to consider that by trying to keep the stock deck that you are lacking sound quality of aftermarket decks, additional music features, losing the ability to play MP3's, etc... I just put a new deck in this weekend and absolutely love the MP3 feature. It is like having a changer up front.

Just a marketing gimmick. See where it says "(3rd party adaptor required)"?

There are third party adapters that allow you to use ANY head unit that comes with a wireless remote with the stock steering wheel controls. Pac has offered this product for nearly a decade.

Mgomez, your going to pay a LOT of money for something that sounds really really bad.

ANY aftermarket radio with a remote control CAN BE made to use the factory steering wheel controls. It does require another "black box", but they are out there. PAC makes some.

I have done a few and they do work.

What features do you need? and want??

Yea, I think a new head unit is the way to go, I'll keep the controls to use with a aftermarket deck. Doesn't metra make the adapter? Anyway, I appreciate the feedback. It's always nice to get a second or seventh opinion.