Quality of Custom Auto Sound USA-66 Replica Radio?

GirlNextDoor714 · 11-14-2012, 01:39 AM

Hi Boys!

I have a 1964 1/2 that needs some tunes! Anyone out there like the Custom Auto's USA-66 replica radio? Wondering about quality of the iPod kit and if there's compatibility with the iPhone...?

The Girl Next Door

MustangChuck · 11-14-2012, 08:18 AM

I have heard that the CAS unit is very good, though I don't have it (yet). I do not know about iPhone compatibility. You can always call Crutchfield or CAS customer support for that question.

Chuck

EDIT: I apologize. I confused the Custom Auto Sound with the RetroSound units. Please disregard my comments.

datac · 11-14-2012, 05:45 PM

There are a bunch of threads on this board about the USA-66. The consensus seems to be that it looks sharp, but there are multiple complaints of poor performance and reliability. I'm not certain about the iPod interface, but the mp3/usb interface has very, very limited functionality- given the high price, if I were you I'd make certain that I had a chance to read the iPod interface owner's manual before buying one.

Although it's supposed to be a nice piece, the look of the Retrosound Model One wasn't quite right IMHO. The new Retrosound Zuma, OTOH, looks much better...

RetroSoundUSA.com - Zuma Radio w/ 64-66 Mustang bezel and replica knobs

For my own, I had Gary Tayman convert my factory AM radio to AM/FM stereo with 200 watts, and then I added an onboard mp3 decoder that plays from a standard thumbdrive in the ashtray. It works beautifully, and I couldn't be happier. I get more compliments about it than anything else in the car...

Ultimate vintage radio project

73GrandStang · 11-14-2012, 06:52 PM

I have it, and it's just "ok." I got the one with the RCA AUX Input. I have an RCA to 3.5mm headphone jack cable coming out of the back of the stereo, through the center console, and finally through one of those "headphone mic cable" and into my iPhone. I call it the poor man's bluetooth (patent pending lol), since you'll be able to hear the other party through the car's speakers and they'll hear you through the mic.

If I had to do it all over again, I'd probably go with the RetroSound unit. At around $300, these things should be better than, "just ok." :/

Just my two cents..

1965GTFB · 11-18-2012, 03:53 AM

Do not waste your money on a CAS any thing. RetroSound has been very good for me.

tx65coupe · 11-19-2012, 04:58 AM

I like the look of that new Retrosound unit much better than their regular offering. I hear more bad than good about CAS radios. That's too bad, since it looks the part. Now that this new Zuma model is available, I may have to repair my dash and replace the DIN radio. It looks like the illumination is close to the factory color too.

datac · 11-20-2012, 11:26 AM

The Zuma looks pretty good, and has a great feature set at that price. I'd seen early photos of it (it was called the Model Two originally), and considered waiting for it rather messing with my custom homebuild.

evoasis · 11-28-2012, 08:25 PM

Plus one on the Retrosound. It was the first thing I did when I got the car. Went with the all-chrome version, and at a quick glance it looks pretty OEM. Works great, and as it should. During set-up I blew the yellow wire's fuse which was no biggie, two AUX inputs is great and the sound is wonderful. Wires right in to OEM antenna too! It's really light weight so you really don't need to use the OEM radio bracket either.

65ACodeCoupe · 11-29-2012, 04:04 PM

I just installed a Retrosound Model One and am having problems with it. When playing songs off an SD card using the auxiliary port, it will skip intermittently from song to song. Very annoying. Am working with tech support to resolve this. So far they have been responsive but the issue has yet to be resolved.

Anyone else have this problem with their Retrosound unit?

evoasis · 12-03-2012, 02:21 AM

Might be your memory card's formatting folders, size is too big, or class is too slow? try another memcard, I just use the aux ports, as radios never work good with sd or usb

Scotti · 12-04-2012, 02:15 PM

I have the USA66, it looks excellent, it sounds weak, barely stays on a station, shuts off when it wants too, etc (I have had it replaced 3 times). I left it in the dash and put an Alpine unit in the trunk with a repeater. In my humble opinion it is an expensive dash ornament and lesson learned. Dont know anything about the Retrosound.

Also, I purchased the expensive piece that is supposed to recharge the battery of the IPhone, and Ipod, etc. It does not charge the phone.

evoasis · 12-04-2012, 05:30 PM

Mine~

65ACodeCoupe · 12-04-2012, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evoasis

Might be your memory card's formatting folders, size is too big, or class is too slow? try another memcard, I just use the aux ports, as radios never work good with sd or usb

Tried smaller memory card, even one without folders. No change. They are sending me a new auxiliary box as tech thinks it may be faulty. Hopefully that'll fix it. Everything else works like a charm.

JohnnyK · 12-04-2012, 07:32 PM

Has anyone tried making the original radio a flip up with a 'real' radio behind it? Seems a lot easier than hiding in the glove box, etc, or using one of these poorly made (I assume) off-brands meant to fit in a classic. (I have a 67, so I just cut the bezel).

ponyexprez · 12-04-2012, 07:54 PM

I have the CAS USA-66 and IMHO the radio is useless. The sound quality is poor and it is a pain to get dialed-in when changing stations. I connected an iPod through the RCA Aux input and I think that sounds pretty good. I used a connector that also charges the iPod which makes it very convenient.

Dan