Stealth Head Unit / stealth installs with FM ability?

[Mwishlist]

So I searched around and I was really kind of surprised this doesn't exist so I am hoping I am just missing something. My vert came with a crappy kenwood head unit and I am going to put a nice system in there. However, I would really like to throw an original head unit in there and install a hidden head unit that does AM/FM and an Aux input with a small controller I could leave under the seat when I am out of the car or mount in the ashtray area. I listen to my ipod 99% of the time, however I do listen to the radio and my wife listens to radio most of the time in the car. So I don't need FM capability but don't need a CD player. I would prefer blue tooth but can't imagine it being too effective in a convertible.

So far my options so far look like this:

Marine radio mounted somewhere because most of them have the option of a wired controller.

Stock head unit with an aftermarket add on to run an amp and add an aux input. Not a JL Clean Sweep but similar.

Secret Audio system, the kind people mount in classic cars or hot rods. I had a Custom Autosound system in my 1966 Mustang for a short time and the quality sucked, so I quickly got rid of it. The Secret Audio stuff looks pretty cheaply made but I could be wrong. It does everything I am looking for but the reviews are pretty bad where I can find them.

Am I missing something? Can anyone point me in the right direction or to a stealth install? I am mainly looking to avoid theft and although there are some exceptions, I rarely see a head unit that doesn't look totally out of place in the E30 dash.

[Mtriple]

There is a Kenwood unit(KOS-A210) that should fit the bill for you. Its NLA from Kenwood but you can still find them here and there. I have an extra one that I've been meaning to throw up in the classifieds. You would have to purchase an HD radio module to get the radio function I believe as well. I have 2 of these new in the box that I bought 5 or 6 years ago. My thought was to put the display up in place of the check panel.

It even has adjustable illumination...

http://images.kenwood.eu/files/prod/1212/5/KOS-A210.pdf

[StereoInstaller1]

If you want to use the stock deck, another option is the Audiocontrol LC8i. It is a normal line out adapter, but with incredible SQ, and an Aux input with its own volume control that is also the switch between Aux and the stock deck and is the sub level controller too.

[Mwishlist]

Thanks for the replies! I'm just now getting around to this thread again. I saw the LC8i and I was pretty intrigued. I would prefer if you could set the gain to match the head unit and not have to have a separate control (you may be able to, I haven't gone through the manual) but it would be nice to have the stock radio and still have good SQ. I rarely see the stock units in a car, are they still solid? Are the displays still readable?

The Kenwood looks cool. I am a little confused in the manual it says connect it to the car stereo to use the FM functionality? I am looking to grab some wheels, but when I'm ready I may hit you up to see if you still have that.

I was also thinking about something like a flip panel that I could mount where the stock radio normally goes or even a DIN sized storage drawer and I could mount a display panel for say the Kenwood or a marine radio or even just a detachable face there and the head unit elsewhere. Then I could flip it over while driving and flip it back when getting out of the car.

I've got a little while before I get to the stereo but I plan on doing something cool and stealth, just not sure what yet.

[StereoInstaller1]

The reason you need the second volume control is because the aux does not go through the head unit.

What that would mean is no volume control at all for your external source, no bueno.

it also mans better SQ, albeit with no fader or balance, than pretty much any deck ever made. They sound amazing, the 9.5VRMS output is crazy clean.

[mitchlikesbikes]

you can also simply mount an amp remotely and use a headphone jack to coaxial plug to use your phone/mp3/whatever to source the sound. obviously this setup is not FM capable but it is an option. with the things that smart phones and what not can do today regular head units are somewhat obsolete in my opinion

[Mwishlist]

it also mans better SQ, albeit with no fader or balance, than pretty much any deck ever made. They sound amazing, the 9.5VRMS output is crazy clean.

Good to know!