Dension Blue

[Samulis]

Has anyone tried using Dension GBL1AU2 / Dension Blue? Enfig is carrying it now and I've been considering giving it a shot. I did try a grom interface a few months back and the sound was completely awful, and i returned it. So bad that I am currently using a tape adaptor that sounds better.

http://enfigcarstereo.com/DENSION_GBL1AU2.html

[3waygeek]

I haven't used the Blue, but I've been using the Gateway 300 (basically the Blue without Bluetooth) in my 2010 A3 since day 1. The Dension interfaces, in my experiences, work pretty well, at least on the USB side (I don't have an iPod/iPhone, so I haven't used that interface). Sound quality is at least as good as playing off the original CDs from which my MP3s were ripped.

[Samulis]

Thanks, that's good to know, I'm probably just going to bite the bullet and give it a shot. I'll post back if I do get it.

[IndieRockSteve]

I haven't used the Blue, but I've been using the Gateway 300 (basically the Blue without Bluetooth) in my 2010 A3 since day 1. The Dension interfaces, in my experiences, work pretty well, at least on the USB side (I don't have an iPod/iPhone, so I haven't used that interface). Sound quality is at least as good as playing off the original CDs from which my MP3s were ripped.

How does the USB integration work? I'm also looking at getting GBL1AU2 and will use it with a combination of iDevices and USB devices. I had one of the oooold Denison products in my '00 A4 (pre-Gateway models) and really liked the quality and how it worked so I'm interested in getting this for my Allroad.

thanks!

[3waygeek]

USB works pretty well; I took a Dremel & routed out a hole in one of the blank switch panels to accommodate the USB port. I put all 100 or so of my CDs ripped to 320 kbps MP3s onto a 32GB microSDHC and put that into a small USB card reader; when it's plugged in, it's barely visible.

The firmware's a little buggy; I get occasional crashes which require me to switch to another input momentarily in order to reset the system. You can use the headunit's controls (or steering wheel controls if you have them) to navigate through the directories to select individual songs or playlists, and you can also navigate by album or artist. However, I find that it often doesn't see my m3u playlists; yet another firmware bug.