Radios originally fitted to the A2

StefanoP

Member
Hello all,
sorry to ask, but I couldn't find a thread where I could learn what radio was fitted and when during the production history of the A2. It would be nice to have a rough idea of when Chorus, Chorus II and Concert were fitted and if they were an optional in different years...maybe it's a minor problem but I am looking to fit the 'proper' unit to my 2002 FSI and I am not sure what it had when new. Thanks for your help! :)
All the best from a very rainy Italy
Stefano
 
You'll be looking at second generation models that link to the CAN bus system. Do you have a single or a double DIN dash?
 
OK been to your website and I can see that your FSI is single DIN. So it's a simple choice - the Chorus II which has a tape deck and the Concert II which has a CD player.
 
Scrolling a bit further down your site, I see that you actually have the original Chorus II that came with your FSI. Is there a problem with it?
 
Hi Stefano,

Generation 1 stereos were fitted in 2000/2001 A2s. They include...
  • Chorus 1 (single-DIN, tape deck, without ability to run an external device e.g. CD changer, aux-in, Bluetooth, etc)
  • Concert 1 (single-DIN, tape deck, with the ability to run an external device e.g. CD changer, aux-in, Bluetooth, etc)
  • Symphony 1 (double-DIN, tape deck and CD player, with the ability to run an external device e.g. CD changer, aux-in, Bluetooth, etc)
It was not possible to get a single-DIN CD player as a Generation 1 stereo.

Generation 2 stereos were fitted in A2s from 2002 onwards. They include...
  • Chorus 2 (single-DIN, tape deck, with the ability to run an external device e.g. CD changer, aux-in, Bluetooth, etc)
  • Concert 2 (single-DIN, CD player, with the ability to run an external device e.g. CD changer, aux-in, Bluetooth, etc)
  • Symphony 2 (double-DIN, tape deck and integrated 6-disc CD changer, with the ability to run an external device e.g. CD changer, aux-in, Bluetooth, etc)
The only other head unit that was fitted to A2s from factory was the RNS-D SatNav system. I believe this was available throughout the A2's production run.

Cheers,

Tom
 
Thank you all and especially Timmus with its summary, all is a bit more clear now.

@steve_c my Chorus II is not working but I found it in the thunk of my FSI (2003 MY) so I think that it was the original radio and I'm buying now a NOS Chorus II to replace it.

I have a Chorus I on my wife's 2002 1.4 and a Concert II with CD on my 2005 1.4, and they both work very well. I'm willing to fit a proper head unit also on the FSI, as the cheap Chinese radio I fitted temporarily is really a lot of rubbish (I'd have to add a bluetooth with hands-free phone facility, of course, hoping to find a good one: Parrot is c**p.) Question: I did buy the 'wrong' Concert II some time ago on eBay.de, it's too wide for the A2, I'm sure you all know this. Did anyone try to saw the excess panel (so to speak) to fit this Concert to an A2?


Audi_Concert+Chorus-1.jpg


Audi_Concert-corner.jpg


Cutting to size the Concert panel would be a tempting proposition, as it's in extremely good shape and works well....

Thanks again for your help,

Stefano
 
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Thank you all and especially Timmus with its summary, all is a bit more clear now.

@steve_c my Chorus II is not working but I found it in the thunk of my FSI (2003 MY) so I think that it was the original radio and I'm buying now a NOS Chorus II to replace it.

I have a Chorus I on my wife's 2002 1.4 and a Concert II with CD on my 2005 1.4, and they both work very well. I'm willing to fit a proper head unit also on the FSI, as the cheap Chinese radio I fitted temporarily is really a lot of rubbish (I'd have to add a bluetooth with hands-free phone facility, of course, hoping to find a good one: Parrot is c**p.) Question: I did buy the 'wrong' Concert II some time ago on eBay.de, it's too wide for the A2, I'm sure you all know this. Did anyone try to saw the excess panel (so to speak) to fit this Concert to an A2?


View attachment 58563

View attachment 58564

Cutting to size the Concert panel would be a tempting proposition, as it's in extremely good shape and works well....

The Concert II intended for the A3 is definitely not compatible, but the A4 version is, and is generally much cheaper than an A2 original. Discussed in this thread:

although the assumption is that you already have an original unit that is no longer working.
 
Thank you all and especially Timmus with its summary, all is a bit more clear now.

@steve_c my Chorus II is not working but I found it in the thunk of my FSI (2003 MY) so I think that it was the original radio and I'm buying now a NOS Chorus II to replace it.

Stefano
Audi_Chorus-NOS.jpg


This is the almost NOS Chorus I found and just bought on eBay. Thanks again!

Stefano
 
I think you should be able to cut down the Concert II to A2 size without compromising the front panel. Personally I would remove the front panel to check this if it is not obvious it will be okay.

Removing the front panel will also make it much more convenient to work on, being able to put it on a flat surface and lightly clamp but I would temporally strip out the circuit board and buttons. There again to avoid this it may be easy enough to do with the complete unit, it's up to you.

Methods to cut to size were discussed recently with a similiar situation with the RSNE unit. Many opinions!

//www.a2oc.net/community/index.php?threads/how-to-cut-edges-rns-e-unit-for-2din.39277/#post-360827

Do a good job and the reduction will virtually be undetectable once it is in place.

Just an opinion.

Andy
 
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The Concert II intended for the A3 is definitely not compatible, but the A4 version is, and is generally much cheaper than an A2 original. Discussed in this thread:

although the assumption is that you already have an original unit that is no longer working.

Hello Steve, thanks for your thoughts, I think /hope this comes out of an A4 but I'm obviously not sure, is there any way to understand if this unit is compatible before cutting its front panel?
Dear Andy, I know a guy who is specialized in customizing and repairing classic electronics, I'll ask him to do it instead of making a mess of it. It's worth trying, I think. Cheers,

Stefano
 
@StefanoP

Why not remove existing unit (if any), connect up the Concert II and push it back in, it does not need to be fully in to test, if this is what you need.

I also have feeling you need the correct B variant of the A4 to be dimensionally equivalent to the A2 unit, but this is a very vague memory.

Might be worth buying a new compatible A2 unit, not that expensive and recoup the outlay by selling the incompatible Concert II.

Andy
Edit. Ignore my comment about A4 Concert, I have refreshed my vague memory and it is MK1 TT and A6 C5 that have the same front panel as the A2.
 
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I see that Concert II can drive an external Aux device. Is there a particular part required to do so, or is it a rear-mounted input? Or the Connect2 solution, as with the B7 A4? I gave up trying to fight the tide on that car as I had rear amplified speakers and the Sony HU I bought looked tragic in the centre console.

I can't stand the aesthetics of aftermarket stereos, but a Chorus II cassette deck is not particularly HiFi in this day and age, even if I do have the hillbilly aux (a good ol' tape adapter).
 
I see that Concert II can drive an external Aux device. Is there a particular part required to do so, or is it a rear-mounted input? Or the Connect2 solution, as with the B7 A4? I gave up trying to fight the tide on that car as I had rear amplified speakers and the Sony HU I bought looked tragic in the centre console.

I can't stand the aesthetics of aftermarket stereos, but a Chorus II cassette deck is not particularly HiFi in this day and age, even if I do have the hillbilly aux (a good ol' tape adapter).
hey watch out the cassette tape is making a come back. ;) I got a box of 8 tracks somewhere just in case
 
hey watch out the cassette tape is making a come back. ;) I got a box of 8 tracks somewhere just in case

Funny you say that, my Dad said he found a tape copy of The Man Who Sold the World I could have!

Which is good, because the 2015 remaster is dreadful, the songs have lost their rough edge and a good deal of charm with it.
 
retro audio - I love it, give me a value amp any day, one for the a2 would be great
can help to warm the cabin on the TDI in the cold weather - winner winner chicken dinner :)
 
Haha, dad had an 8 track in his Marina Coupe as a kid. That did warm the interior up, so well it ended up being thrown out the window like a smoke bomb...
 
I have a concert 11 and notice in the thread that it has Bluetooth facility.
Does that mean that I can connect my Samsung phone to the unit?

Cheers,

Steve
 
Sorry I think it should be symphony 2 as it has a 6CD player and tape player fitted to a 2004 Tdi
 
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