reza

So, the phatbox (phatnoise or whatever it's called) seems very cool -- tough very expensive. I've been doing some searching, and it seems like it wouldn't be terribly difficult to add some circuitry to one of those 2.0 USB external hard drive enclosures such that it opperated like a phatbox.

I was interested in pursuing this and wanted an idea - would you be willing to pay ~$300 for a phatbox like device (you would supply your own harddrive). The whole unit would be pulled out and plugged into the USB port to populate it with songs. And it would interface to your head unit and act just like a cd changer. It would only support Fat32 so you would be limited on hard drive size to some extent..

Yes? No?

Reza

AJG

But it would not have SSA. So . . . no, I would not buy it.

nobodeuno

I doubt that many people would buy one since you can purchase a phatbox for a 2-3 hundred more and you get a finished product. Not to be rude or anything but I doubt that anything you can produce and sell for $300 would come close to what Phatnoise has developed.

Don't take what I'm saying the wrong way though. If its a hobbie your after then go for it but most of the people who purchase the Phatnoise are looking for a no brainer solution that uses the stock controls.

Good Luck though!

reza

Wait, I can buy a phatbox for $500 - $600? That's a very reasonable price, but I thought that the phatbox was going for $800+ (with tax $900ish), which is a good $600 more than my target price. I would be happy to pick one up for $500 if possible..

And I suppose it's a matter of function over looks. I wouldn't have the voice support, but as it's in the trunk in the same compartment as your changer -- and that you'll probably not pull it out too often to transfer music -- I figure looks wouldn't matter that much.

But the feedback has been useful. Thanks..

nobodeuno

for around the cheapest or from <a href="http://www.clairparts.com/">ClairParts&gt;</a> for $599 or <a href="http://www.drewparts.com/">DrewParts </a> for $525....

I have a Empeg RioCar if your interested in something different. I don't feel like integrating it into the BOSE factory stereo but its definately the best display unit on the market. Check it out at <a href="http://empegbbs.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php">Empeg BBS</a> or <a href="Http://www.riocar.org/">RioCar</a>

Later

Rian Colorado

Then again, it's the kenwood unit. I can't understand why people pay 800$ for the "audi" one when for the same money you can get Kenwoods top or the line recievers AND a phatbox for the same number... MUCH better sound. Not to mention that the kenwood decks in red are pretty damn close to stock lighting.

Rian

mobsTTa

Check the accessories section on the audi.com website. And you get to interface with OEM dasgboard and H/U.

reza

Just wonder if the dealers also have them in stock, or if I have to have it shipped. Thoughts? It's listed as 'special offer' -- is this the new price or a temporary price?

Reza