So, it's only taken me ten years to get around to doing this...I finally got all the pieces I needed to do an install and went out last night in the gloriously crappy New England weather to begin an install way too late, in the dark, with bad light.

http://flickr.com/photos/jonmasters/sets/72157608969180850/

Now all I need to do is figure out how to make the screen more readable in direct sunlight. With the top down, driving into the office today, it was pretty tough reading the display.

Notes (more later):

I had to use a saw on the double DIN adapter because it can't actually take two full-size DIN stereos unless they're flush against their enclosures (which the empeg is not). So yes, the Pioneer doesn't have the flush plate at its sides and could do with minor cosmetic cleanup later. I also spent a full 4 hours trying all manner of options with the steering wheel adapter before finally tapping into the vehicle harness directly. I now have a Pioneer P-5000UB (with USB, etc.) as the primary stereo, and the empeg (250GB) on its rear AUX IN.

I have (for now) given up on using a tuner with the empeg since the idea of splitting the steering wheel control signal was foiled when I finally decided to realize its a resistance that's being sampled I'll instead create my own replacement steering wheel protocol adapter "splitter" using a PIC and a bunch of logic, so I can have both stereos receive the input signals. Using the MODE button as a toggle, this will work.

Jon.

Looking good! Too bad about the Pioneer trim piece, but two heads are still better than one.

Nice work!

Rob - got any thoughts about working about that trim piece? It's plainly too big as it stands, perhaps I should find somewhere that can make me something smaller?

Perhaps you could do something like I did. look for the bit about cutting out a hollow rectangle from a notebook cover.

Although this is for the empeg sled and not the other head unit trim piece, perhaps something similar would work.

How is your sound quality? I remember that edsmiata had endless ground loop problems and alternator/ignition noise in his Miata, I don't know if he ever got a satisfactory resolution.

tanstaafl.

Nice install. I've been running my Empeg into the AUX on my Pioneer stereos for years now in both cars and have been very happy with the installs. I think you'll enjoy it. Try a smoke lens for better readability (although I'm not sure you'll ever find something that's great in a convertible.)

Not only is the audio quality excellent, but it's using the BOSE amp properly. I even get equalizer adjustment when putting the top down or up, as Hussein and I had posited

Finally Jon, its good to see you get down to it!

Since this is 'installation notes' I'll help you fill in a few gaps:

The car has factory Bose. Rather than attempt to do anything as complex as a Bosectomy, Jon is using the 'Nexxia PC2-78-BOSE' adapter, as seen here:



It provides neat ISO and Line Level RCA connectors from the Mazda plug leaving the rest of the Bose bits working as they were. Its says it is only for the RX8 and 3/Axela Bose systems, but looks like it works for the MX5 as well

Yup, not only does it work, but it works well. I did have to cut the factory harness (well, splice it) for the steering wheel controls. But actually, I now realize I wouldn't have had to and my original plan would have worked...I was missing an (optional, but actually mandatory) ground pin on the harness.

Regular (US, not sure about UK) staples turn out to the same size as the smaller pins in that connector, and you can wedge them in to add additional pins (9/10) for the steering wheel. I had missed the ground pin off so it wasn't reliable and wound up splicing in a "it's late, and I'm cold" moment.

Jon.

Hey...

Well...the whine never went away so i went out and bought a 250wx2 mbquart amp on sale at crutchfields...in this way i do not have to turn the gains up as much as i would with a lower rated amp, thereby lowering the noise floor...

it does work but if i increase the gains to the same position as i had the mtx's then the whine returns.

thanks for remembering!

Ed

Did you ever try a different empeg?

Jon, what steering wheel adapter did you use? I can read PAC from your pictures, just not sure what model. I'm planning on using the Nexxia adapter on my 2008 but am going to put the pins in the harness for the steering wheel controls. The empeg will be my only deck. Thanks!

- Steven

Nevermind, I don't have a tuner module so I'll have to run the PAC SWI-X and find a good mounting spot for the transmitter.