AudiWorld Tech Articles

Tech Article Title	Author	Date
Replacing the Delta Cassette	Alex Sidorenko	2003

The common question in AudiWorld forum: "How install a new head unit with the Bose amplifier/speakers?" My original feeling was that it is not going to be easy - the Delta unit got a non-standard faceplate and using an external trunk-mounted Bose amplifier. Also I wanted that new in-dash CD looks the closest to the Audi red night illumination. Still, I am feeling ok with factory Bose amplifier/speakers sitting in my A4 97. Delta head unit - what was really giving me a pain.

Bose Amplifier

The power stage of amplifier deploys two TDA7393 Dual Bridge 30W ICs driving six Audi stock speakers. What is really puzzled me when I opened the assembling - the custom-built Bose preamplifier circuitry, the number of RC correction pairs prompting what a weird frequency EQ was implemented to make the stock speakers sound right! So, if you decide to toss away your Bose amplifier - you have to replace the speakers as well.

Delta head unit

The original Delta was custom-made by Blaupunkt and providing 4-channel preamp output for trunk-mounted amplifier. It also could be configured for non-Bose systems using an external amplifier only for rear speakers and with built-in for the front ones. The simplest way of replacing it would be getting Blaupunkt CD-Receiver from SkyLine, FunLine or T-Line series. They all are sharing the same output and antenna connectors as the original Delta unit. Although the connectors are the same the standard Blaupunkt pinout is not identical. The C2 subconnector is different and C3 is using for connecting an external CD-Changer, so connect only parts A and C1. I didn't test this solution, but it should work. However, you still need Scosche AU2300B faceplate installation kit.

Blaupunkt Malibu CD Receiver back view

My solution

The solution allows install any DIN-mounted CD-Receiver. Here is what you need:

CD-Receiver with 4-channel preamp output
Scosche in-dash installation kit AU2300B
Scosche connector VW1
Scosche antenna adapter kits VWA-2

I found Sounddomain is good source of parts listed above. The harness schematic is shown on the picture. The pin numbering for VW1 corresponding the Blaupunkt pinout, the Scosche numbering is different. Use the same pinout for wiring C1 subconnector.

Only one part of Scosche VW1 connector is using, corresponding to subconnector A.
I had a problem finding the exact replacement for C1 and opted to use just pins from unused part B. Another option would be rip the connector from the Delta unit - if you don't have plans using it in the future :). Don't forget to power up VWA-2 amplified antenna adapter. One more thing you have to do - ground a singe wire of Audi anti-theft system on the on the back of the radio. CD-Receiver should have the special connector for that. If it is not there - install it. I got Blaupunkt BPV 655 CD-Receiver in the nearest Costco. It has a nice red backlighting but connectors are different from the ones using in Delta. Even worse, it has only rear channels preouts . Still, the original BPV 655 PCB was made for 4-channel preout but only rear ones were used. I just installed two extra RCA sockets on the rear panel and soldering missing resistors to get it done. I wouldn't recommend doing that if you don't have such experience.

The final touch

When I mounted the new in-dash unit the first time I was puzzled by the loud booms coming from the rear speakers every time when I turned on my radio or just switched radio stations. The clue was in the circuitry of BPV 655. Blaupunkt designed the preamp outputs stages with the blanking transistors, grounding the output signals to eliminate the switching noise. That causing the input capacitors from Bose amplifier to play charging/discharging game, creating a loud booming in the speakers. I had to remove them but it didn't affect the sound quality.