CD/Streaming System for Class A RV


 Does anyone have a system in an RV? Space is always an issue so curious if anyone has put together a compact system. 
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I've faced this same problem in both our Airstream Class A and Forest River Class C rigs.  Bluntly, there is no ideal solution.  You will be compromising on power source versatility or features.  Sound quality can be dramatically improved, but you shouldn't expect a home audio experience, either.

You are already aware that stuff supplied with and designed for RV use is NG in any respect.  The speakers are poorly designed, the electronics are poor quality, sound quality is generally awful and even convenience is often compromised by feature load and/or price point.

Given that reality, you'll have to start by deciding if you want to adapt your dash unit or the entertainment system.  Both require compromises and a fair amount of DIY handiness with carpentry and basic automotive electrics.

The dash unit has better low-cost, high-quality alternatives because you can find decent head units either powered or unpowered that can take BT input and have CD spinners at many salvage yards and pawn shops.  Alpine, JVC, Panasonic and Sony all made several good ones and each have a few still in current production as well.  If you can find an unpowered unit, you can set it up to run one amp for driving off the front stereo output and a second off the rear that you can use to plumb exterior speaker connections for camping.  That gives you the most options in head units, power amps and speaker pairings and is also the most flexible for getting good quality sound outside.  Runs on the engine battery though, so you have to check if you have an emergency start circuit to crank the engine from the coach batteries if you run the start battery down.

You could also consider going to the McIntosh or Nakamichi autosound systems, but that would take some serious searching and be difficult to repair if a problem cropped up.  The Mc was made for the circa 2005 Ford GT only, and replacements are no longer produced.  Audio Classics occasionally comes up with some bits, but you'll more likely have to wait until somebody wrecks their GT.  Could be a long wait.  Nakamichi's system isn't quite as rare, but has been out of production longer and can be very difficult to service.  Same issue with the start battery for both.

Going with an entertainment system solution, you have to decide if you want surround and where you want to distribute the sound both internally and externally.  Also, you will have to run off an inverter when dry camping unless you can tolerate generator noise while listening (I can't, but you have to decide for yourself).  The AC / inverted DC solution allows you to use just about anything you like within your wattage limits, so you have a lot of choices.

Wiring the entertainment system is a serious PITA, so look at that before you do anything else when considering this avenue.  Almost certainly, your rig has built-in audio and video cabling in the walls that can't be changed. You likely also have very limited space to install a solution.  You could go with one of the compact lifestyle systems out there, but then you have to figure where to put the speakers, how to cable them and note many of the new lifestyle systems don't spin discs.  They rely on BT and wireless instead.  Alternatively, you could go with a compact AV receiver, an all-in-one disc player and just upgrade the built-in speakers.  Note that getting surround sound can be difficult, if not impossible because of the wiring limitations.  If surround can't be had, you can go with a much simpler stereo receiver with BT and just live with stereo-only video.

So you know, we started our RV audio adventures in 1989 and have yet to find a really good aftermarket DIY solution at any price.  Companies like Creative Mobile Interiors in Columbus OH make a very nice living doing just this kind of work, but you really have to love your rig to drop that kind of coin.  We thought about that for our Airstream, but just couldn't justify it in a 17 year old MH on the P32 Workhorse chassis

The compromise we finally decided on was just living with whatever crap the RV maker provided for the coach entertainment system and upgraded the dash unit for our driving pleasure.  When we go outside, we have a really good boombox with CD and auxiliary input so we can stream from our phones. (yes, Panasonic and Sony still make a couple of nice ones).  The box runs on dry cells or a low wattage inverter from the coach batteries.  Simple, inexpensive and if the box gets clipped or left in the rain, no serious harm done.  It won't compete against the yahoos with DJ systems, but it also won't land the park minders on our case either.

Hope this helps give you a starting point & let us know what you end up doing.  Happy camping and listening!


Effischer, thank you for the insight. Picking up our first RV later this week. New to us but 12 years old in excellent shape. Still cost more than I can believe. Like many, it has a Bose system in it, and I can run a Raspberry Pi with a dac hat as a serviceable streamer. I like the idea of a single system for convenience. No interest in home theater, just music throughout and possibly outside as well. Hope the park rangers don’t chase me out for soft classical or jazz. I will do the AC/DC rock out with headphones. Won’t retire for 4-5 more years but want to enjoy the grandkids while they still think we are cool. State parks, here we come! Safe travels to you. 
Tomic601, I will check it out. Naim is great stuff so certain it would sound awesome. 
Limomangus, worry the boom box will get us removed from some of the campgrounds. Some of them , based on their websites, might be uppity ;-)
Always glad to help a fellow RVer!  Since this will be your first rig, I'll offer a few more bits of advice that will save you a ton of time and hopefully money.  State and National parks often have electric hookups so won't allow you to use your generator except in case of emergency.  That's good for listening, but the power can be spotty and storms will knock it out.  Make sure to get an external surge suppressor that goes between the post and your rig.  Keep a high quality (not Harbor Freight) but compact set of tools in your rig along with fuses, hose clamps, O-rings, snap rings, automotive fasteners, RV fasteners (they are different from everything else), 5 minute epoxy, duct tape, oil and general purpose lubricants.  A compact compressor good to 110 PSIG with a dual-foot inflator and high quality dual foot tire pressure gauge is strongly recommended.  At the very least, check your tire pressures in the cold of morning before starting your rig, every single time.  If your rig has suspension airbags, ditto.  Get tire covers and use them without fail.  Check your coach batteries every week, whether you're using the rig or not.  Get enough Battery Tender units to keep them charged when the rig is stored. Subscribe to Motorhome Magazine and read all the letters, action line information, tech tips and accessory reviews every month.  That alone can save you $1K or more every year.  RV information is priceless and Professor YouTube has a lot of really helpful information on how to fix stuff when you get into a pickle.

And you will.  On almost every trip.  That was the most valuable lesson we ever learned stuck in staging field mud with a flat inside dual, in killer heat with a dead refrigerator propane circuit and no generator our first time out:  RVing is always an adventure!  A kindly older gentleman with a toolbox in a Radio Flyer wagon said that to us as he poked around in the fridge hatch, found the failed Buss igniter fuse and replaced it.  

We were on our own for the dual, and discovered that AAA is worthless for RVs.  Had to shell out ~$300 in cash to get the tire fixed and the rig pulled out of the mud.  And here's the last tip:  Join the American Motorcyclist Association whether you own a bike or not.  If you get their 3 year membership for $149, they will provide standard emergency services anywhere or tow any vehicle you own 35 miles for free.  That even includes 40 foot motorhomes, and they don't care if it's on a road.  MUCH better than Good Sam or any of the other services.

Have fun and enjoy the adventure!
Thank you. I was reluctant to pull this trigger but wife wanted it so.......happy wife.....you know the rest. I am now excited. I had always heard that with boats, horses, and RVs, the two best days of your life were when you bought them only trumped by the day you sold them. Hope we can find some peace and fun on this new adventure. I want the grandkids to see America from the ground- tromping through forests and swimming in creeks. Again, many thanks and I will follow your tips. Building a storage barn is first action item. 
Effischer
Had our first outing. RV had sat a few years so lots of little issues- some water leaks, but with a screw driver most are resolved. Had a ball. Cant wait to go again. Solution to audio- iphone stream from Tidal through an audioquest dragonfly into the BOSE 321 sytem that is factory installed. Sounds really decent. May go to raspberry pi streamer for permanent solution.