Are you going to remove the factory female aux and USB Jack's and install your own female Jack's for plug and play?

 

USB-A female in the console, no. That connects to the silver box and there is no reason to disable it. It doesn't serve much of a purpose, admittedly, as the old Bose infotainment is so limited. I want a USB-C connection near the driver's A pillar where I mount my phone, and that is an entirely separate cable to be added, terminating at the DAC.

I may simply plug the DAC into the aux input in the console. That way, should I ever want to plug in something other than my DAC it is easily available to unplug the DAC and plug in another source. Maybe it would be slick to install an A/B switch in the aux input cable to allow DAC or aux. Really not much of a use case for that, however. What else would I plug into the aux?

 

Honestly, that...I am drawing a blank

 

Could connect a USB C cable to my Navtool socket. Really just a USB hat has more speed capability (and if your vices can support 10Gbps then wonderful. I find it mainly annoying.

 

The goal of this approach is good analog source quality, comprised of the ES9038Q2M DAC chip and other analog and digital circuitry that output a proper 2V line level with good clarity.

Plugging in a USB-C cable, while possible, doesn't change Navtool audio output quality. The USB-C connector has been standard on phones for a number of years, so installing anything else would be silly regardless of the need for 10Gbps data. In fact, the Topping DAC input is USB 2.0 so can only operate at 480Mbps. Which is fine for a DAC.

 

Where is the NavTool socket?

 

After a few days use I can report the integration with the factory stereo is seamless. Wireless or USB connections are quick, with the source mode selected with a flick of the toggle switch. Generally I just leave it on Bluetooth unless I'm doing a serious music listening session. With the wireless charger, connecting cords is optional (note the USB isn't in use). Just clip the phone in the mount and go. I'm using Android Auto for Phone Screens.

I couldn't come up with a better DAC mounting location than the side of the console.

 

An update to confirm the phone Bluetooth connects simultaneously to both the Nav radio as well as the DAC. Phone calls are handled through the Nav radio exactly as before, using the steering wheel buttons. Music playback from the phone is paused during a call, which is default Android behavior. Other than using a different (and arguably better) screen for playback of music files and navigation, it is much the same, only better.

If one knows how to configure a phone, it is possible to automate phone behavior changes to better integrate with this use case. For example, keep the screen on when on the windshield (connected to wireless charging AND car bluetooth).

 

My HUD speedo goes there.

 

I used to mount the Matter Disruptor there, but decided the stereo and GPS were more practical in daily use. How often do you really need to take out a Prius driver squatting in the fast lane?

 

Humor Lifespeed...???...nice

Bill

 

In Florida passing on the right is legal and common.

 

Hmm. I honestly would never have thought of this. Good job

 

It sounds really good, with wireless convenience if desired or lossless USB-C wired. But it does not make use of the OEM display. In my opinion these old infotainment systems are a train wreck. The less of it I use, the better. The Navtool folks came close, but the execution (again, in my opinion) is spotty with a low quality audio section that doesn't even output a proper line level signal. I can only imagine what shortcuts or bad engineering are in the DAC and preamp circuits.