CD Player In Bose is Kaput, MP3 Player Recommendations ?
 

Well it appears that the CD changer in the Bose unit in my 09 non-navigation stereo is kaput. AM/FM/SAT functions all work fine. I don't want to tear the dash apart and install a new unit.

Can anyone recommend some type of MP3 player that will feed CD quality sound to the 3.5mm mini AUX jack on the dash ? I'd like to stay under $100.
I have hundreds of CD's and can convert them to MP3 or some other high fidelity format easily enough I suppose.

Thanks

I used an ipod without issue. I have a Bose unit that works without issue and the swap is easy to make if you're interested.

I can't recommend a specific brand (it's been a while since I bought one) but look for one with plenty of memory and, most important (to me, anyway), an easy to use interface with a large, easy-to-read display. Tons of memory and a fantastic D/A don't mean much if you only have three buttons and a one-line display (especially if you are tempted to use while driving).

MP3's will not provide CD quality sound. Although, most people can't tell the difference between a 320 kbps mp3 and higher fidelity music, especially on a stock sound system.

That being said, here's a cheap mp3 player (that also plays FLACs) that I use at the gym:
https://www.amazon.com/AGPTEK-Playba...dp/B00XVVYGIC/

It's not the best player out there, but for $25, it works!

If I'm converting music files to MP3 for use in a car (or other poor listening environment), I go with 192k. If someone's ears are that sensitive, they don't need to be listening to music in a (small) car. As with all thing musical, YMMV. ;)

Here is your issue, you can have the best MP3 player such as a FiiO X1 but once you go through a head units headphone jack that quality goes out the window. I'd recommend replacing the head unit or doing 320kbps sound files on a thumb drive as that's the best your head unit will decode. My opinion is get rid of the head unit, this will give you better options as well as higher sound quality right off the bad with a better built in DAC.

I can almost always tell the difference between a compressed 320 and a flac file. No comparison.

I will probably have to tear the Bose unit out in order to get the stuck CD out of it and keep it from trying to eject every time I turn on the power. If I am going to go through that much trouble I may as well replace the whole unit. What's the deal, do I buy one of those Scosche or other brand adapter trim kits and then pick out a combo CD/AM-FM/Satellite receiver and install it ? Is there one that won't hreak the bank and will work with the steering wheel control harness for audio & and phone functions and plug into the existing speaker wire harness ?
Last time I installed my own car stereo was in 1982 and things were a whole lot less complex then.

Honestly man there are at least 10 threads on this very subject.

You need the 7551 metra harness, antenna adapter, dash kit, and a new head unit. That's it in a nut shell. You will also need probably a ASWC-1 or metestro for steering wheel controls.