SC-900 v's SC-901 comparison

[scot850]

I know this perhaps should have been in the Audio section, but I'm sure there is more traffic here that may have a view on this subject.

From time-to-time I go to PnP and if there are SC-900/901 head units I 'rescue' the head unit, the amp and the wiring harness. I then check them and sell them on when I have multiples or someone really needs one.

I have been on MVS P80 forum for 15(?) or more years I'm guessing. In all that time I have seen the SC-901 is the unit to have? Why?

I know that in the earlier years of the 3-CD changer unit the SC-900 was considered problematic. By why was it, and what were the issues?

A couple of years ago a rescued a few head units and when re-building my V70 base, I tested all the head units I had, getting the codes. Also tested all the wiring harnesses and amps too. By chance I connected up an SC-900 after a SC-901 and was blown away by the far more full sound from the SC-901. This has just been reminded to me as I just got a SC-900 on the weekend. I got the code from Volvo and tested it today. Radio worked fine but not the CD unit. I managed to get the CD cassette ejected but it was throwing a CD-error code.

NOTE: To clean the laser head on an SC-900, you must eject the 3 CD cassette before removing power from the unit. As yet I have not found a way to do this when it is un-powered like the SC-900.

What I found was that when I opened up the unit it had 2 CD's jammed in the player. Some rocket scientist (apologies to rocket scientists) had installed 4 discs in a 3 disc cassette!!

Anyway cleaning the laser and rubber puller/eject rollers and re-installed it for a second test. I had just run the CD on the SC-901 before removing it, and installed it on the SC-900. The sound quality was noticeably richer.

I think one of the issues with the SC-900 may have been jumping when CD's were played. I haven't driven the car yet to see if it is ok for that. But is it runs fine, then it will stay in the car!

Is this a case maybe where more time has gone by and we understand the quirks (cleaning the laser) than in early days when these units were out there? Have to be honest, this unit has a Factory Reconditioned label on it.

Anyone else tried this comparison?

Neil.

[BEJinFbk]

IIRC, there was an improvement in the changer mechanism,
but the thing that I was after was the “hidden menu” that gave
access to a user tunable EQ.

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.




Seems like there may have been some other things,
but those are the differences that come to mind.

[BEJinFbk]

IIRC, there was an improvement in the changer mechanism,
but the thing that I was after was the “hidden menu” that gave
access to a user tunable EQ.

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 clock wise (increase)
or counterclock wise (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.




Seems like there may have been some other things,
but those are the differences that come to mind.

[scot850]

I'll look at that when I get a chance. You do have a certain amount of adjustment on the bass and treble with the rotary knobs. Even with that set to max, the bass is no where close, nor is the fullness of the sound. Worth looking at the settings on the SC-901 though.

Thanks,

Neil.

[RickHaleParker]

SC-900s choke on burned CDs, SC-901s play them flawlessly.

[scot850]

Good to know, although I have read similar stories of the SC-901 doing similar things on burned CD's. Good job I don't use them!!

Neil.

[manovlov]

Hy,

For me who has travelled a long time with the 800 units, the difference with the SC901 is obvious. It's as to compare a 600X800 pixels screen to a full DH one : everything is more "pure" if I may say so. Maria CALLAS, Miles DAVIS, ZZTop, Tears for Fears,, Aretha FRANKLIN, Sesame Street original Soundtrack, ever note is present, speakers do the job, even tough they are a bit tired...

Anyway, my 1999 unit, saved from a junkyard in 2012, still works great. But I think a lens clean would be appreciated.

Manov

[abscate]

Maria CALLAS, Miles DAVIS, ZZTop, Tears for Fears,, Aretha FRANKLIN, Sesame Street original Soundtrack,

What a great playlist!