SC-901 radio, why is it so great, scot850?

[FireFox31]

scot850, what makes the SC-901 radio so great that you grab them from the junkyard all the time? Can this quality be brought to a base 2000 V70, notably without the center dash speaker?

I'm replacing the SC-816 in two 2000 V70s with a simple used JVC CD/radio/Bluetooth unit specifically so I can get Bluetooth. In my personal T5M, I'll install my JVC and an old Alpine amp. With the stock speakers, I thought that setup sounded great in my original V70 for 18 years.

[scot850]

Why is it so good? To be 100% honest, I just like the mechanical way the CD changer works. Sound wise, the SC-900/901 units have no in-built amplifiers, so you need the external amp for them to produce sound. You can plug them in to the standard wiring, they will switch on, but you won't get any sound. Having said that, I believe from hearing the different units they give a fuller sound experience than the single CD units. But then:

All the base units, I think even the ones that have no CD can be connected to an Volvo amplifier with the connector cable! Most also have the facility to add the Dolby pro-logic processor and center dash speaker as well. You do get a richer/warmer sound doing this.

I changed my JBL head unit in my 03 4Runner to a modern Sony Bluetooth unit with back-up camera facility. I love the back-up camera and I can program the phone to the steering wheel buttons. It was not a cheap unit, but I have to say the sound quality even using the original JBL amp is not as good. I have friends who have done similar 'upgrades' and had the same experience.

In the end of the day, it is a case of each to their own. Your hearing and listening is likely different to mine or others so we all hear sound differently. You can modify older units to add Bluetooth capability with units like GROM and others.

The amplifier and cable is the most important, but there are those who still listen to CD's who like the option of the 3-CD unit built in.

The SC-900 was slammed for being un-reliable, so it was replaced by SC-901. I have only had one issue with an SC-900 and I think the issue is they are not bad units, but keeping their laser clean is more critical. The bonus is I find the sound is richer and more full than the SC-901. Similar I find with the SC-815 'Premium Sound' single CD units and the newer SC-816 single CD units. Fun fact, I have an SC-815 unit that came from a 960 that only has a single antenna input. Wagons need 2 antenna connections!

The SC-801 was a good solid unit, but no CD unless you add an external 6-CD unit.

The sound from the standard Volvo speakers is truly excellent for any timeline. I built my test system and I sometimes have it running in the garage for music as even in that form the sound is clear and not boomy.

The pluses for the OE systems is they are plug and play, but adding the Bluetooth options takes a bit of work but not terrible.

Does this answer your question?

Neil.

[jmartin919]

How do you know what model you have?

[scot850]

On the front panel, there should be a Radio model ID usually just below the LCD screen. It will have SC-XXX with the X's being numbers.

The standard 'lower' level units usually start with an 8 and the multi-disc units a 9. Let me be clear, the 'lower' level units are still superb for the day and better than many today for sound quality. Their issues are age and technology moving on. There are ways to update these and MVS and other Volvo sites have many 'How-to's' posted from some more complex updates including soldering mods to the units, Using later steering wheels with button controls and more. The section om MVS Matthew has on Audio is a good starting point!

I am happy to try to answer questions if I can, but I am an amateur enthusiast, but there are others who know way more!

I did have a mod at one point to my audio system to allow iPod and AUX in capabilities and it worked well, but these days you have simple plug in FM units that can give you Bluetooth and music streaming capabilities.

I am old school mostly, I like the sound of the audio, so that is why I am so keen on it, and not because I have a bunch I need to find homes for!!

Neil.

[FireFox31]

Thanks for the information. The in-dash CD changer does look pretty cool. I wonder if my aftermarket external amp was to thank for delivering truly pleasing sound to the stock speakers, much like the SC-9xx radios with their amps.

I'm surprised that your test setup speakers sound good outside of the car. I thought they used the door cavities (especially the rear) for enhanced sound. That's why I'm insisting on getting used replacements instead of new aftermarket speakers.

[scot850]

The speaker box I made has a hollow section under the speakers. They are mounted 2 flap which can flip up to access the connectors when swapping out speakers for testing. Also you need room for the cones on the speakers especially the rear door speakers as they kind of have a plastic horn on the rears.

Neil.

[BEJinFbk]

Why is it so good? To be 100% honest, I just like the mechanical way the CD changer works.
Sound wise, the SC-900/901 units have no in-built amplifiers, so you need the external amp
for them to produce sound. You can plug them in to the standard wiring, they will switch on,
but you won't get any sound. Having said that, I believe from hearing the different units they
give a fuller sound experience than the single CD units. But then:

All the base units, I think even the ones that have no CD can be connected to an Volvo amplifier
with the connector cable!

Yes - Most of the SC series head units have the 6 pin DIN jack on the back marked “AMP”.
This provides LF, RF, LR, RR, signal ground and 12v remote amp turn-on connections.
With a simple DIN to RCA adapter, you can ship signal to most aftermarket amps.
Be prepared for ground loop noise, though. A lot of people have had to tackle
engine whine using sketchy adapters.

Most also have the facility to add the Dolby pro-logic processor and
center dash speaker as well. You do get a richer/warmer sound doing this.

The Dolby option is only available on SC-900/901’s. The module plugs into a 13 pin DIN
jack marked “DOLBY”. The center channel speaker plugs into the 5 pin green connector
that’s also on the back of the HU. It only operates if the Dolby module is present and
one of the two Surround Sound “Modes” ( 3 Channel or Dolby ) is selected.

I changed my JBL head unit in my 03 4Runner to a modern Sony Bluetooth unit with back-up
camera facility. I love the back-up camera and I can program the phone to the steering wheel
buttons. It was not a cheap unit, but I have to say the sound quality even using the original JBL
amp is not as good. I have friends who have done similar 'upgrades' and had the same experience.

In the end of the day, it is a case of each to their own. Your hearing and listening is likely different
to mine or others so we all hear sound differently. You can modify older units to add Bluetooth
capability with units like GROM and others.

There are several digital adapters out there for the SCs that port into the remote 6 disc
changer input as an AUX input straight into the HU. USA-Spec, Grom and a couple others.
The adapters vary a lot in how they operate and connect with line-level inputs, phones,
bluetooth, external mics, etc. Operation is also kinda wonky, because you’re just hacking
the HU into thinking it’s seeing the changer. Definitely a research project.

The amplifier and cable is the most important, but there are those who still listen to CD's who like
the option of the 3-CD unit built in.

The SC-900 was slammed for being un-reliable, so it was replaced by SC-901. I have only had
one issue with an SC-900 and I think the issue is they are not bad units, but keeping their laser
clean is more critical. The bonus is I find the sound is richer and more full than the SC-901.

Bear in mind that these SC-900/901s have a hidden EQ feature for different model interiors.
You may be set up for the wrong car. That brings up another nice 901 extra - The “Custom”
EQ’s that can be adjusted for both the front and rear speakers individually.
-------------------------------------
SC-900/901 "Hidden Menu"
.
A - Settings for individual markets
Settings for individual markets are usually adjusted in the factory or at the retailer.
If you need to change this setting: switch off the radio; hold down preset button 5 (A);
switch on the radio (A) and press preset button 5 again until the relevant market (US, AUS or EU) appears.

B - Setting the internal equalizer
To select the frequency correction:
· Switch off the radio.
· Hold down preset button 2 (B).
· Switch the radio on again.
· Press button 2 until the desired curve appears : S70-V70-S40-V40-Custom.
Setting the custom equalizer (Custom EQ) - SC-901 only
· Select "Custom EQ" by switching off the radio, holding down preset button 2
and switching the radio again. Select "Custom" (see point B). · Press Scan.
· Press preset button 1-5 within 5 seconds:
Preset button 1 = set bass (60 Hz)
Preset button 2 = set mid-range bass (200 Hz)
Preset button 3 = set lower mid-range (800 Hz)
Preset button 4 = set upper mid-range
(3 kHz)
Preset button 5 = set treble (12 kHz)
· Adjust the setting by turning the Tune knob clocKWise (increase) or counterclocKWise (decrease).
The change can be seen in the display, as well as heard.
· Use preset button 6 to adjust the settings of the front or rear speaker.
F = Front
R = Rear
Please note that the equalizer curves can be adjusted separately for the front and rear speakers.
· When you are satisfied with the adjustments you have made, press Scan again to store the settings.
· Press Scan once again to exit the settings mode.
· To select "Custom EQ", press the Volume knob.
-------------------------------------------------

Similar I find with the SC-815 'Premium Sound' single CD units and the newer SC-816 single
CD units. Fun fact, I have an SC-815 unit that came from a 960 that only has a single
antenna input. Wagons need 2 antenna connections!

Actually, the wagon doesn’t care. Even the radio doesn’t care. Just use the main ( regular size )
antenna connector with any single antenna radios and you’ll be fine. But - Both of the antennas
in most Diversity Tuning enabled P80s are amplified. Be sure to power up the antenna amplifiers,
or the tuner won’t see any kind of decent signal. Kind of like kinking a hose.

The SC-801 was a good solid unit, but no CD unless you add an external 6-CD unit.

The sound from the standard Volvo speakers is truly excellent for any timeline.
I built my test system and I sometimes have it running in the garage for music
as even in that form the sound is clear and not boomy.

The pluses for the OE systems is they are plug and play,
but adding the Bluetooth options takes a bit of work but not terrible.

Does this answer your question?

Neil.