Receiver recommendations for 95 Ski Nautique

[Kyfooter]

I am looking for recommendations for stereo receivers to replace the original that came with the boat. I want it to sound good, but don’t want to sink a bunch of money into it as this is a second boat for us. Needs to fit into the original location in the dash. I will likely hook a small bass tube to it with built-in amp, but I do not plan to purchase a separate amp. $250 or less.

I am not overly concerned about it being Marine specific. The boat stays on a small lake and if ever we’re in a rain storm the dash has a cover for the receiver that can be closed.

Thank you.

[distinguishedmotorsports]

fusion MS-RA70 or RA70 NSX if you need remotes. its $250. IF you like money or plan on owning the boat long, you'd purchase a marine source unit. its not the direct exposure to moisture that kills car source units, its the humidity every time there is a significant temperature swing while the boat is under cover. my 2 cents.

[Kyfooter]

25 Watt RMS seems rather low. Any other recommendations? I understand about the humidity.

[gobluemike21]

I think I have an Alpine something or other I'd be willing to part with. However radio is in the barn at the lake and not sure when I'll go there. Used for 3 days waiting for a part for my primary head unit. I think I paid $100 and would sell for $50. Let me know if you can wait.

[bturner]

^^^^^^ If cost is a driving factor, hard to beat the above^^^^^^

25 watts is pretty much the norm for head units. You may get 5 watts more from someone but chances are good they're just playing with THD or the power rating. From my experience once you leave 25 watts you're going to be into an amp, then better speakers that can actually handle the extra power. And of course once you go this direction now you're looking at the cost for wiring, breakers, connectors, RCA jacks and you know, the typical rabbit hole you run down when a $250 project turns into a $700+ project.

It's always the same formula of Cheap, Loud and Good with sound systems. The problem is you only get to pick two of those. Most people start with Cheap and Loud and are disappointed when it isn't good. Installations like this typically start as a DYI project or a "steal of a deal" at a "professional" stereo shop. I've fixed a bunch of these in cars and boats over the years.

The key to being satisfied with your installation is going to be to be honest with your goals and expectations, then plan your budget based on these expectations or adjust them to fit your budget.

[Kyfooter]

Stereos are not my specialty, for sure. I’ve put two systems in prior boats that did not use an amp, but paid quite a bit for my primary boat to have amp, subs, and 6 speakers installed. The goal with this boat is to have it sound good, but not spend $1,000.

If I were to go with a Sony MEX-M100BT which reports 40RMS/100 peak, is the belief an amp is needed to get the 40 watt RMS? Using speakers that report 55 watt RMS and 165 peak.

[MLA]

First, I would not get boggled down on head unit wattage and speakers' rated rms. Most any head unit is going to be well within a speaker's power handling. If you want to get the most of of the speakers, you want an external full-range.

If you are looking to spend that kind of coin (like on the sony mex-m100bt), id go with the Clarion M508. Better built IMO. To Sony, marine gear is now a hobby. They changed focus 5-6 years ago. That unit is nearly identical to a car unit, just a conformal coated PCB. So no real innovation or effort on Sony's part.

[Warrior48188]

What about a Kenwood radio, such as the KMR-M328BT model? Similar specs as the Fusion MS-RA70, but a much cheaper price. Curious what the stereo guru’s think of Kenwood Marine radios...

[bturner]

Honestly, you're splitting hairs once you go down to the road of cheap receivers. I don't know many people that listen to the radio and CDs are used about as much as 8 tracks or cassettes by anyone younger than 40 (probably closer to 50). If you're just looking for sound and connectivity why not just buy a cheap Bluetooth controller for $100 and call it a day.

https://creativeaudio.net/mbt-crx-k/?sku=MBT-CRX-K

They're cheap, small and easy to mount. Add a cheap amp for another $170 and you now have 50W RMS to four channels. All in about $300 with a few dollars left for some wire and connectors.

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/clari...4aArMFEALw_wcB

With a package like this you have the source anyone would probably use 99.9% of the time anyway and the power to the speakers you were looking for in a "cost effective" package. Add the cheap sub you were looking as it should sound OK. especially for a second boat.

And there you have it...... not totally cheap, not totally loud and not totally good but still a totally good compromise.

[SilentSeven]

What bturner said. You're only going to be as good as your weakest link in the system. Another simple list of possible parts.

$100 / Sony bluetooth receiver - https://www.crutchfield.com/p_158DSX...SX-A415BT.html Lots to choose from at this price point.
$200 / 50 watt per channel class D amp - https://www.crutchfield.com/p_113KAC...KAC-M3004.html
$150 / 4 marine 6.5" speakers - https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-x-Infinit...4AAOSwQLNeXoc8

You won't get too much below $100 for the receiver. You want the amp...25 watts on a head unit is pretty marginal. Shop the amp a bit bit and likely get something closer to $150 if patient. And maybe your speakers are already OK? But if not and you dump 50 real watts into them, they will just implode.

Pay attention to the dashing wiring. These vintage boats are notorious for not having sufficient power to the dash. Expect to run a dedicated power and ground. On my 97, I put in an a full custom relay system for a system similar to the above.

Have fun...good luck.

[Warrior48188]

SilentSeven, you hit the nail on the head, “you’re only going to be as good as your weakest link in the system.” I have 6 revo 6’s, WS 10” sub, rev 10’s, WS420BT, Syn-dx4 and Syn-dx6 amps. My audio guy said my Kenwood KMR-D362BT is my weak link because it only has 2.5 preamp volts. He recommended to get a Sony MEX-M100BT, because it has 5V preamp. MLA said Sony is not the best choice for marine radios, so I thought a new Kenwood with 4V preamp could suffice.

[MLA]

SilentSeven, you hit the nail on the head, “you’re only going to be as good as your weakest link in the system.” I have 6 revo 6’s, WS 10” sub, rev 10’s, WS420BT, Syn-dx4 and Syn-dx6 amps. My audio guy said my Kenwood KMR-D362BT is my weak link because it only has 2.5 preamp volts. He recommended to get a Sony MEX-M100BT, because it has 5V preamp. MLA said Sony is not the best choice for marine radios, so I thought a new Kenwood with 4V preamp could suffice.

Um, here's your 5V per channel pre-amp output right here, its already part of your system.

[THE HECKLER]

I use the bluetooth dual brand radios from walmart that cost about $30 in my nautique and my two classic chevelles. they sound real good for the cost and have remotes.