stereo stores.. | FerrariChat

stereo stores..

Discussion in 'New England' started by bostonmini, Feb 19, 2004.

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  1. bostonmini

    bostonmini Formula 3

    Nov 8, 2003
    1,890
    A friend of mine wants to put an aftermarket stereo in a 996 Turbo, anybody know the best places (in/around Boston) to go? Any suggestions are appreciated.
     
  2. zan

    zan Formula Junior

    Nov 15, 2002
    537
    Boston
    Full Name:
    Mark M
    Rich's CarTunes in Watertown, 617-923-1490, Pricey but top notch work.
     
  3. Doody

    Doody F1 Veteran

    Nov 16, 2001
    6,099
    MA USA
    Full Name:
    Mr. Doody
    i had rich's crew do an install in a jeep a number of years back. they did a great job, including interfacing some esoteric electronics (eg: a portable DAT player).

    unfortunately, they kind of bunged the de-install when i sold it. from what i could tell, they had one of the students do it (apparently he makes most of his money from the school - not from the shop). they sorta kinda made it good in the end, but it took a couple trips and some wire-work on my part.

    still, i'd work with them again, with the explicit contractual proviso of no students working on my cars.

    i took the 550 there to talk to them. they've never worked on one before (but apparently have done a 360 or two). i was fully prepared for "expensive" but i was still blown away by the estimate :). not quite ten large, if memory serves. the sales guy was kind of not wildly helpful/informative. rich got involved at the end of the process, and he's a great guy to talk to. if you can talk to rich, talk to rich. he's the brains of the outfit.

    i think part of the plan with these guys is to manage them as they're coming up with design ideas --- "oh, and we'll fabricate a new 4,000sf home to put on top of the car to house the 6,582 amplifiers!" type of stuff ;).

    my understanding is that unless you go to southern CT, rich's shop is the best option around.

    doody.
     
  4. enjoythemusic

    enjoythemusic F1 World Champ

    Apr 20, 2002
    10,676
    Worldwide
    Full Name:
    Steven
    As i recall, Rich is WELL known in IASCA (pro car audio) circles. Think i met him a few times while judging cars (as a Sound Quality judge). Rich has a great reputation.

    Enjoy the Drive,

    Steven R. Rochlin
     
  5. Bad Chariot

    Bad Chariot Formula Junior

    Dec 6, 2003
    262
    Reading, MA
    Full Name:
    Michael
    There is an installer I would HIGHLY recommend by the name of Jamie Perkins. He formerly worked for Custom Audio in Saugus but opened his own shop in the Watertown area a few years back. He does some of the best work around. When I was seriously into car audio a couple of years ago he was regarded as one of the top 5 installers in the country.
    He has been featured in several magazines...I would ask around and see if his reputation is still up there.

    Rich's Car tunes does do great work but they are seriously pricey! I remember them doing a 911 Cabrio for Drew Bledsoe a few years back. Came out really nice but I am sure he payed for it!

    Mike
     
  6. Doody

    Doody F1 Veteran

    Nov 16, 2001
    6,099
    MA USA
    Full Name:
    Mr. Doody
    i've been googling my heart out for the last few minutes and can't find any mentions of this gentlemen except via this Custom Auto Radio place:

    Custom Auto Radio / 1423 Broadway, Rte. 1 / Saugus, MA 01906 / Phone: (781)-233-3037 / Fax: (781)-233-3661

    no mention of this guy by name wrt watertown MA.

    fwiw, there's another store of the same name listed in Peabody MA: Custom Auto Radio / 128 Newbury Street / Peabody, MA 01960 / 1-978-536-4400. there's absolutely ZERO data about these guys online.

    on 12/23/2003 (as best i can tell), Custom Auto Radio in Saugus was probably liquidated: http://www.posnik.com/html03/122303ppcat.htm "equipment fixtures and furnishings" sure doesn't sound like a good day! in fact, the phone number "has been disconnected" according to our friends at Verizon. the fax number is RNA.

    steve - think you can dig up some current data on this dude via your contacts?

    doody.
     
  7. AtomikPunk

    AtomikPunk Rookie

    Jan 1, 2004
    33
    North Shore, MA
    Custom Auto Radio in Saugus was liquidated.
    I was at the auction, you didn't miss much.

    mark
     
  8. Ray M

    Ray M Rookie

    Feb 23, 2004
    5
    Boston/Connecticut
    Hi Guys!

    Thanks, Sonny, for looking into this for me! Actually, I am looking for a shop to tune the rather extensive stereo I already have in my 850Ci. I had the stereo done over the summer at a store in CT near my summer home, and I really don't want to wait a couple months to get back down there. I will stop by Rick's and the Peabody shop to check them out...

    And Doody......nice to run into you. Hope everything is well! Looks like I might be selling the 850 this Spring....it's calling your name! :D
     
  9. Doody

    Doody F1 Veteran

    Nov 16, 2001
    6,099
    MA USA
    Full Name:
    Mr. Doody
    that's what you said LAST spring, dude! i'm not gonna hold my breath ;)

    doody.
     
  10. Ray M

    Ray M Rookie

    Feb 23, 2004
    5
    Boston/Connecticut
    Good one :D
     
  11. Giovanni_P

    Giovanni_P Formula Junior

    Nov 11, 2003
    368
    MetroWest, MA
    Full Name:
    John Pelliccio
    I don't think Rich's Car Tunes did Drew Bledsoe's Porsche- the work was done by Creative Car Stereo in Wellesley, just over the Natick line on route 9. At least, there were all kinds of pics of Bledsoe and his car on the wall when Creative did the stereo in my 300ZX. They did a Cherokee for Larry Bird, too.

    For what it's worth, Creative did a nice job with my Z, integrating the stock Bose head unit and CD player with a PPI amp, some A/D/S/ separates in front, and a JL Audio Stealthbox sub in the rear. The funny thing about any of those shops is that what they're doing isn't rocket science, but still costs $60/hour or so.

    There's a place called "The Car Stereo Place", also on Route 9 in Natick, that always has a different Ferrari parked in front of it- wonder if they do the dealer installs for FoNE?

    -Giovanni P
     
  12. Doody

    Doody F1 Veteran

    Nov 16, 2001
    6,099
    MA USA
    Full Name:
    Mr. Doody
    be careful of Creative in Natick/Wellesley (i think it's over the line in Natick, but i'm not sure) - Route 9 Westbound side.

    i've dealt with them twice and been unimpressed both times.

    the first time was after i had just gotten my audi. they spec'd a system and then i went to rich's. after they spec'd a system i went through the creative spec. they pointed out a number of errors - fatal errors. if i had gone with them, it would have cost me another pile of money to swap out components and extra labor.

    the second time was when i was redoing my home a/v system. they tried hard, but just couldn't get their act together (over weeks and weeks) to get me a real quote and whatnot.

    i'd be willing to bet that the actual guys who do the actual real work there are probably solid, but the sales people and process seem to be a real mess.

    i've never seen a ferrari in front of that other place, and i drive by there quite frequently.

    fwiw,
    doody.
     
  13. Ray M

    Ray M Rookie

    Feb 23, 2004
    5
    Boston/Connecticut
    I didn't know Creative did work on automobiles....their sinage always seemed to reference homes only. Interesting, I'll stop by....
     
  14. Doody

    Doody F1 Veteran

    Nov 16, 2001
    6,099
    MA USA
    Full Name:
    Mr. Doody
    that's how they got their start, actually. they used to be located in ashland on 135 back in the 80s. they relocated to natick in the 90s at some point (?) and then added home theater. they started out as Creative Car Stereo, if memory serves (i'm reaching all the way back to high school now! it's a dim and dark cave of data!).

    doody.
     
  15. ChrisfromRI

    ChrisfromRI Karting

    Jan 28, 2003
    230
    Foster, RI
    Full Name:
    Chris F
    Anyone know of a car stereo that has the shortwave bands on it?

    I recall that around ten years ago Phillips had one, and I think that Becker made one even further back.

    Kind Regards, Chris
     
  16. TCM

    TCM Formula Junior

    Nov 10, 2003
    552
    Tyngsborough, MA
    Ray:

    You are finally modding the Turbo, but the wrong mod!!! Come on man, you need some dump valves, k26 turbos, intercooler, ssk, and suspension;)!! Why are you thinking of selling the 850?
     
  17. Ray M

    Ray M Rookie

    Feb 23, 2004
    5
    Boston/Connecticut

    LOL TC you are everywhere!! :)

    Re the Mods, I have gradually been doing some small things.....but to be honest I've already lost so much money on this car (including some $20K+ in factory options) that to go blow another $20k on wheels, suspension, exhaust and chip which I will never see any $$ back on doesn't seem like the way forward. If I bought my car used for a song like a lot of those guys, I would probably feel a little better about it. Right now I am enjoying it for what it is....and I for one still think it's awesome. (Some here disagree :D) Beyond that, I'll save my money for the 997TT, for which we are already #1 on a wait list.

    Re the 850.... Ever since I heard rumors of the M6 a couple years ago, I knew it was gonna be the ticket! I planned on keeping the 8er until it came out, and then upgrade immediately. A year ago to date, I got sidetracked and almost bought an M5 to replace the 850 in the interim. Now, it's the 645Ci. I really like it, but we'll see what happens. I've done a lot of work to the 850 over the last 6 months, and it's really in its prime....so I am having a hard time parting with it!

    Best to all....Ray
     
  18. TCM

    TCM Formula Junior

    Nov 10, 2003
    552
    Tyngsborough, MA
    Ray:

    I understand all your concerns. Word of cautin on the 6 though, the M version is going to have some serious teething problems. This will be a completely new block for BMW, and I have heard rumors that they have already blown three of them in testing. Best to at least wait a year or so. Good luck and please keep me updated with what you decide to do.
     
  19. enjoythemusic

    enjoythemusic F1 World Champ

    Apr 20, 2002
    10,676
    Worldwide
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    Steven
    ChrisfromRI,

    WOW, now that is a great questions as per shortwave radio. i find:

    http://www.shortwavestore.com/shortwave-converter.html

    and that is about it. Odds are there MAY be one out there avaiulable in Europe or Asia. Check a few car audio boards/newsgroups.

    Enjoy the Drive,

    Steven R. Rochlin
     
  20. ChrisfromRI

    ChrisfromRI Karting

    Jan 28, 2003
    230
    Foster, RI
    Full Name:
    Chris F
    Steven,

    Thanks for the link, but I really don't want a receive converter hanging under the dash.

    On our boat we often listen to the BBC, etc., on the HF long range radio, to gain a different perspective on events. There were a couple of European car radios out there a few years back that received shortwave...

    I'll let you know if I find any.

    Kind Regards, Chris

    PS: Nice to see that RDS is finally catching on.
     
  21. Bad Chariot

    Bad Chariot Formula Junior

    Dec 6, 2003
    262
    Reading, MA
    Full Name:
    Michael
    Sorry, I should have added that part that Custom Audio in Saugus went out of business. I do know Jamie left about 1 yr before they closed....who knows when their #1 installer left maybe business tanked!

    The building has been vacant for a while and is SCREAMING for me to buy it so I can open the custom golf shop I want to open!

    Giovani,

    Now that I think about it, your right about who did Bledsoe's car, I go to so many shops I got confused! I work very close to Shopper's World so I frequent the Home Theater shops in the area. Been maybe 4 years since I have been in Creative Audio.
     
  22. Giovanni_P

    Giovanni_P Formula Junior

    Nov 11, 2003
    368
    MetroWest, MA
    Full Name:
    John Pelliccio
    Hmmm- It may have been that I was having Creative perform some fairly simple upgrades. I went there because a web search of "stereo" and "300ZX" brought up a cover story in Car Audio and Electronics or something like that describing an IASCA-winning install in a 300ZX of my car's vintage. I figured it was a good idea to have a shop that knew the car do the installation.

    Having had most of the car apart at one time or another in the years since Creative installed the system, I have been fairly impressed with the way that the I's are dotted and the T's are crossed with regard to cable fitment, waterproofing of external connections, adapter harness for the Bose head unit, etc.

    "The Car Stereo Place" seemed to have a different F-car in front of it just about every time I went by there, but it's been a while since I paid attention. A few years, I suspect, because now that I think about it they were mostly F355's!
     
  23. bostonmini

    bostonmini Formula 3

    Nov 8, 2003
    1,890
    Ray, how can you actually like that idrive stuff! ugh! so confusing! i sat in a new 5, and had the dealer talk about stuff for like, a solid 15 minutes and was still baffled! not a big new 6 fan...far prefer your car. Keep it till it no longer runs;)
     
  24. JamieO

    JamieO Karting

    Nov 3, 2003
    182
    MA
    Full Name:
    Jamie
    Bostonmini, I don't know if your friend has found anyone to put a stereo in his Turbo but I'm friends with Jamie Perkins (fomerly from Custom Auto Radio). He opened up his own shop a year or two ago and is now working out of Melrose. The shop is called The Car Audio Specialist and his number is 781-979-0110. His website is www.thecaraudiospecialist.net

    Tell him his friend Jamie referred you. I'm sorry I didn't see this post a couple weeks ago, I hope this info is still helpful.

    Jamie
     

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