Blaupunkt Freiburg 130

[Chanelle Kirksey]

Im looking for a stereo, you know one that's appropriate for the Corrado...

I had my heart set on the new Blaupunkt Bremen SQR46 but after reading the newer reviews I don't think I will commit and it's pretty pricey too.

What do you mates have in your Corrado?

I think I like the style of the Nakamichi but I'm not sure which to pick, CD-400, CD-35 or? I like the style of those but I'm also hesitant as they are pretty old and still on the expensive side.

I like the older Blaupunkt but not sure on models.

Anyways, I'm just curious to see any recommendations you may have!

Cheers!

The UK cars were kitted out with dealer fit stereos - mainly Sony, so what was "original" to a UK car would not have been OE in the rest of Europe/US. It depends on if you want modern features or that original retro look, and also on if you want the illumination to match.

I've had a Nakamichi 35Z (45X is identical but has line in) and they are nice, but OEM would have to be a VW Gamma IV - all the the Sony's/Gamma units are cassette decks with CD changer control and can be modified for aux in and bluetooth.

Pictures below of factory brochure and in my car. You can buy kits for these for bluetooth hands free etc. They cam in Passats and other models ran from around 95 to 99 I believe . Hey Fen have you ever seen a Bose version of the Gamma 4.

This was a Nakamichi CD-35z that I used to have, watch out when buying these online as they come with both amber and green removable face platest and only some have RDS. Only the higher end 40/45 and CD400/500 have aux in, and some also have a remote control. The illumination is not dimmable btw.

This is the Gamma IV, same as what Keyo has above. This has some nice features, 4x20w, CD changer control, greem dimmable lights, code protection and red anti-theft LED, telephone mute, speed dependent volume control (GALA) when connected to the the blue/white speed sensor signal and can be retrofitted with aux in, bluetooth or iPod adapter using the CD changer inputs - there's even a guy in Germany who retrofits a hardwired aux in cable with 3.5mm jack and Bluetooth 5.0 module for a pretty penny, which means you can retain the CD changer.

The VDO lights up green and has a CD player built in, and looks like it would suit the dash quite well - maybe the pre facelift ones more than the later cars, because it is a bit more squared off. It has a telephone mute, and can also take a CD changer, and there is a dedicated iPod module with cable, but I haven't got a line in working yet or fitted the unit to the car.

Hope all this helps - of course there are many older Blaupunkt units that would also work - the new one is nice, but too expensive for me and doesn't have CD changer control, which I think should have been there. Some of the older Becker units are also nice, but pricey. Note that VAG had a whole range of Beta 2/3/4 and Gamma 3/4 head units, so there's plenty to choose from.

I'm looking for a stereo, you know one that's appropriate for the Corrado...

I had my heart set on the new Blaupunkt Bremen SQR46 but after reading the newer reviews I don't think I will commit and it's pretty pricey too.

What do you mates have in your Corrado?

I think I like the style of the Nakamichi but I'm not sure which to pick, CD-400, CD-35 or? I like the style of those but I'm also hesitant as they are pretty old and still on the expensive side.

I like the older Blaupunkt but not sure on models.

Anyways, I'm just curious to see any recommendations you may have!

Cheers!

When you say Gamma 3, do you mean the CD player version that only works with active speakers and has no on-board amp stage? To be honest, they look the part but are not worth the hassle as they are overpriced due to rarity and you need the matching speakers which were never that great to begin with and are likely tired or shot and past their sell by date at this stage.

No mate Gamma 3 Mk before IV- has dimpled buttons and is from around 88 - 94 - my car has a Blaupunkt Freiburg at the moment but is more 82 - 88 19E Mk2 age really and want to upgrade as my MK2 is a late model Big bumper so incorrect stereo.

There's nothing wrong with the Blaupunkt Freiburg - is it the illumination that is not green? The stereo itself looks period correct. I wouldn't be spending a fortune on a cassette head unit - there's not many that would spot that it's not the correct one for the year, or even worse the ones that would know will tell you that the Gamma 3 was never available in the UK!

Hell, I think I even have a couple of factory radio DIN blanks with the VW logo and holders for the two plugs on the back stashed away somewhere - now that would be really authentic poverty spec from the 80s! That's the way they were sold here in Ireland.

I do like the Blaupunkt but the display is orange and faded - would like green to match the dash - the blaupunkt windsor , london, Freiburg etc all seem to have orange display. I suppose I could put in another Gamma 4 as they are a great unit with matching display

Do like these Gamma units. Keyo - did you happen to notice if the Gamma 4 has an output from an Amp/Sub? I fancy putting something on the left handside of the boot to give a bit more oomph to the sound.

I do want an OEM look and these suggestions are all good.

Ideally I would prefer with CD, that CD Gamma is absolutely perfect but the price holly!

So that leaves me with the Nakamichis CD-35Z, CD-45Z, CD-400 for my top choice on a CD unit. Is there a way to tell which is red or green or you can only tell when they are plugged in?

That said, I like the Gamma III and IV as well. I don't know why but I think I prefer the III to the IV but maybe for a late spec Corrado the IV is more appropriate? Any thoughts on that?

The Blaupunkt Keyo has is very nice, with a green display I would go for something like that as well.

I was looking at the unit from the Golf City, it's a great unit if only the button were not red with a blue screen. It's pretty much a Gamma CD but here they go for $25!!!

-vw-2007-golf-city-stereo/7223457750.html

Cheers!

I do want an OEM look and these suggestions are all good.

Ideally I would prefer with CD, that CD Gamma is absolutely perfect but the price holly!

So that leaves me with the Nakamichis CD-35Z, CD-45Z, CD-400 for my top choice on a CD unit. Is there a way to tell which is red or green or you can only tell when they are plugged in?

That said, I like the Gamma III and IV as well. I don't know why but I think I prefer the III to the IV but maybe for a late spec Corrado the IV is more appropriate? Any thoughts on that?

The Blaupunkt Keyo has is very nice, with a green display I would go for something like that as well.

I was looking at the unit from the Golf City, it's a great unit if only the button were not red with a blue screen. It's pretty much a Gamma CD but here they go for $25!!!

-vw-2007-golf-city-stereo/7223457750.html

Cheers!

The Gemma 3 has dimpled buttons that match the early style switches in the dash and the gemma 4 has the same style as the lastee dash - you could buy a cd changer with the gemma 4 the complete package - you can still buy the loom for the cd changer etc. That is the way I would go chap. Gemma 4 is also better quality then 3.

On the Nakamichis,, the 35/40/45 have different face plates for amber or green illumination - I think the only way to be sure is to check with the seller. The later CD300/400/500 let you choose the illumination style, but they don't look quite as good in the dash in my opinion as they are little more modern in design.

Thanks Keyo as usual! I've never seen them physically so it's hard to tell for sure from pictures but I thought the gamma 3 would be a better fit with the dimpled switches in the dash? I probably should follow your advice and go with the gamma 4 though...

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