CD Changer Compatibility, '95 850

waynej · Post by **waynej** » 19 Jun 2007, 07:31

A few weeks back I had a chance to buy an alpine changer on Ebay. I asked on this forum if it was compatible and was told no, only genuine Volvo would work. Now it sounds like Alpine will work with my Volvo head unit. Which is correct?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 19 Jun 2007, 15:31

Alpine makes the changers for Volvo....but connectors are often different. Just because it says Alpine on it doesn't mean it will be compatible. As for the model numbers that are, I really couldn't tell you.

Post by **akitawagon** » 19 Jun 2007, 18:45

If you find an Alpine MBus CD changer from the CHM-6xx series, it will be compatible with SC710, SC810, SC815, SC816, etc. headunits found in 850s.
I have Alpine CHM-601s in two of my 850s.

You will also need cable adapter so that the Alpine MBus cable from the changer can plug into the back of the Volvo headunit.

The Alpines don't seem to be as sensitive to the road condition jolts/vibrations as the OEM Volvo changers and seem to play audio CD-Rs without any problems.

waynej · Post by **waynej** » 19 Jun 2007, 20:48

Thanks AkitaWagon it's good to have knowledgeable people in the forum. Do you know where to get the cable adapter and do you have any idea of cost.

freddyray · Post by **freddyray** » 20 Jun 2007, 06:19

I have an alpine unit in my 94 850 and it works great.

Post by **akitawagon** » 20 Jun 2007, 09:26

waynej wrote:Thanks AkitaWagon it's good to have knowledgeable people in the forum. Do you know where to get the cable adapter and do you have any idea of cost.

If you do a google search for "VOLALP" you'll get some links for car audio stores that have it for sale. Make sure that they still have it in stock first before ordering because it's an older item and sometimes is out of stock even though they have it listed. Don't let them substitute it for an Alpine AI Net adapter; this is a different protocol and may not fit/work.

Pricing seems to range from around $30 to $90, depending on which one you need/want.

You can also search on ebay and maybe get better pricing. That iPd ad for the changer and cable that was listed earlier sounded pretty good. iPd had their own version of the VOLALP that's no longer sold.

Sometimes, you can find a changer with the cable on craigslist that a Volvo owner is selling.

If he's still able to make you one, you can contact Kelvin6 here on the site. I've been using one of his custom made VOLALP adapter cables.

Here's a good link to start with to see the price range and pictures of four different types of choices you have:

http://logjamelectronics.com/volvo.html

If you're installing a changer into a newer than 1995 Volvo, you may need to get one of the more expensive adapters that supports your year because there were some changes by Volvo in newer models than negated use of just the simple cable adapter. A lot of the car manufacturers weren't too happy about people upgrading their stock audio systems themselves with aftermarket products and wanted to lock customers into buying the OEM $600+ Changers that have the "Volvo, BMW, etc." stenciling on it.