Upgarding Bose Audio / MOST

[acourvil]

I'd like to upgrade the sound in my '04 C4S. At the same time, I'd like to keep the PCM nav system and the integrated audio control. It looks pretty clear that I can replace the speakers w/o any problem, since they are hooked to the amp woth the usual copper speaker wire. In looking around, I can't tell if the MOST bus will allow me to keep the CD/Radio/CD changer and upgrade the amp. It looks like the fiber optic connections also go to/from the amp. If I replace the amp, will I still have control of volume/balance/trebel/bass/fader/etc. through the PCM interface?

[Tool Pants]

You need to come to one of our work on cars day in San Jose. Then you need to have Raman there.

Not sure what your question is, but with MOST the units communicate to each other via the fiber optic MOST system. If you remove a unit from the optic link then you will have a problem. Your PCM cannot then talk to another amp.

The copper speaker wires are not the issue.

Perhaps Raman will see this and give you his input. Jeff

[acourvil]

deleted duplicate

Edited March 4, 2004 by acourvil

[acourvil]

Yeah, that was the question. If I (a) keep the head unit, and (B) remove the BOSE amp, could I replace the BOSE amp with another (non-MOST) amp? And if the answer to that was yes, would the PCM interface control the new amp. Sounds like the answer is no to both. I guess I can still upgrade the speakers.

Edited March 4, 2004 by acourvil

[KarlS]

You're correct, you can not upgrade just the amp, unless someone comes out with a MOST compatible model. You certainly can upgrade the speakers but I'm not sure how much of an audible improvement that will be.

Karl

[acourvil]

I've tried to find MOST-compatible components, but the only ones I've seen are OEM parts.

I could probably live with the Bose system except for the distortion that I'm hearing in higher frequencies. It's particularly obvious if I turn on a AM station; voices and other sounds end with a sort of buzzing sound, almost like someone was mixing the voice with the sound of paper ripping. I can also hear it in CDs, although it less obvious with a fuller sound spectrum. And it seems to come from front and back speakers on both sides, although the front passenger side sounds a bit worse than the others. I guess I could take it in and complain to a dealer, but I'm kind of skeptical that the service people there will do much on the sound system.

Edited March 4, 2004 by acourvil