jakelake

I just want to confirm what I have read about these two head units.
If you have all Pioneer components: head unit, amp, CD changer
and you want to replace the head unit (because of the dark area
LCD problem - not light bulb related) you can not replace it with
a Nakimichi head unit even though the two connectors are identical.

Is that true for an 1998 ES300? When I hooked it up the AM / FM worked
but I did not hear anything from the CD even though I could swap CDs
and see the LCD increment (minutes / seconds) for each track. There
was also a whine noise in AM / FM / CD mode (without the engine running)
It sounded like the audio was bypassing some of the amplifiers (especially
the back center speaker)

I put the old one back in and it sounds normal again so I am glad that I didn't
blow anything up. I'm just wondering if anyone tried this before. It sounds like
too much work and too expensive to replace all other components to the
Nakimichi brand even though it would probably sound better.

Thanks,
Jake

squarehat

From what I recall a from a similar thread long time ago, the Nakamichi has a digital audio connection to the CD changer, whereas the the signal between the head unit and CD in the Pioneer is analog.

jakelake

Thanks for the info...That makes alot of sense why the CD portion does not work.
There is a single blue pin connector in the back. That must be the digital connector.

Thanks for your help,
Jake