Ø     Hi Rod:

Just wanted to thank you and your crew for the great service. 
I especially appreciated you rapidly taking care of the
Nakamichi that wasn't working.  I couldn't be happier with
the system in my 993TT.  Sonically, it's far superior to the
$16k system I installed in my 964 911 a few years back.  Wish
I had known of you back then.

Those Focal subs in your little enclosures are putting out a
ton of deep, accurate bass.

Thanks again,
Harry
__

Harry A. B**** M.D.
Head, Department of Psychiatry
St. Joseph Medical Center
******

Rod -

Let me start by saying that this note of appreciation is long overdue. I could come up with a ton of excuses but in reality I just can’t stop listening to the new system in the Boxster!

I’d like to personally thank you and your talented staff for your expert guidance and support in helping me choose and install the new system. Your commitment to customer service and extremely high level of expertise has made me one happy camper!

It goes without saying that replacing the factory stereo in a Boxster is not a simple procedure. Not simple from determining which components not only will fit, but will sound great. Also not simple from an installation perspective. 

Your guidance in helping me select the right components based on your deep experiences with Porsches prevented me from making some expensive mistakes and end up with some fantastic results. I’m very satisfied.

You and your teams support during my home installations was very impressive. With me being 3,000 miles away from your shop you guys made me feel like you were standing in the garage with me the entire time. I appreciate your patients answering all of my questions. Every time I called, and I called a lot, it was a pleasant and educational experience for me. The project was a huge success!!

So thank you VERY much. With your commitment to customer satisfaction there is no doubt Car Audio Innovations is as successful as it is!

Matt Foskett

Ps - let’s start talking about adding rear speakers J

 

 

Subject: Saved by Rod Birch
From: Todd Campbell <>
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 17:33:04 -0800
X-Message-Number: 51

I had a complete stereo installed yesterday by Rod Birch. I had
acquired some items during my travels and other Rod provided. The
system consists of:

Alpine 7949 CD/tuner head unit
Alpine 6 CD changer
Dynaudio 240 Series front speakers
JL Audio 4" coax in trick 4x6 housing
A/D/S P640 Amplifier

Just to put this in perspective, I had an old Sony CD player and all the
original factory speakers. All but the right tweeter were blown. I
listened to this for 3 months until I found the right installer to put
this equipment in.

I leave approximately 1.5 hours from Rod's location in Sacramento.
Leaving at 6 AM to get there for a day long installation challenged my
sanity. I watched most of the installation and I was more than
impressed. Rod is a master of perfection in what he does. While most
of the quality is hidden behind panels and under seats, it is very
reassuring knowing that there will be no issues with this installation.
I am sure that Rod underestimated the effort to install all of this
equipment. However, Rod was gracious throughout the instal, and
completed it all. Oh yeah, it was Rod's birthday! I also got to know Rod
in a much better light that exchanging e-mails about all the system
options he suggested that I found at local stereo places. I also saw the
innards of one of his sub boxes. It is put together with pride and
finished inside like cabinetry.

I would suggest that anyone looking for someone to configure and install
their stereo seriously consider Rod. You will not be disappointed. I
know from the Rennlist that Rod is considering some out of town/east
coast installations. Anyone remotely considering this should look at
the long term advantages of an installation from someone who knows
Porsche and the nuances with these cars. I know of only 2 other
companies that even come close to Rod's work.

Enough said, except to say that I am only a customer and I am scheduling
the alarm as soon as I can get on Rod's schedule.

Todd

 

 

 

Subject: Re: Stereo installation - I met Rod Birch
From: "chris latshaw" <>
Date: Tue, 16 Nov 1999 20:45:18
X-Message-Number: 102

Brian~
I'm jealous man. glad to hear your 930 got the Birch treatment it
deserved.
Reading his posts, & e-mailing him directly regarding his work & love for
Porsches, it is apparent he is a TRUE professional!
I hope to have Rod do his magic on my Targa sometime next spring, until
then Iam stuck with the crap stock system...at least I can hear the music
of the air cooled 911 !!!

chris
82 911sc

 

 

Subject: Rod Birch/Viper Alarm
From:
Date: Wed, 17 Nov 1999 11:13:25
X-Message-Number: 58



Hello all: Rod Birch from L.A. came by my house in Chicago Sunday night to
install a new Viper alarm. I had an old Clifford that I wanted removed and
whatever was state of the art installed. I called a few places around
Chicago...Rod was cheaper even with the $50 travelling reimbursement, and
was extremely proficient in his installation...oh yes, his brother John was
there too, must give him credit as well! I had an old set of led's in the
doors next to the door locks that would not glow red, he even got those
going. As for my stereo that came with the car, he was very impressed by
the head unit/eq and the speaker, cd, and subwoofers installation and
choice of equipment. He did not try to up sell me into anything I did not
need. And, everything was put back as was stock.

Except for the belches from the Wisconsin bratwurst I fed them, you would
not have even know they were there. They are the guys if you need this sort
of thing done.

Stephen

Subject: Re: Hot Start Problem-Resolved
From:
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1999 16:53:47 EST
X-Message-Number: 78

Steve,

Tell the Birch Boys Rod and John Hi, and relay my system is really
terrific.. Hate to leave the car. Wife brought me out cups of coffee, a
sweater, and a cooked meal to the drivers seats last night ;-) Many of my
friends and close proximity strangers want to know the shop that did the
work. I think they are going to be a huge success once the grand population
sees and more importantly HEARS their work. Marvelous ..,Simply Marvelous.

Al Letts
 

 

Rod,

Terrific, amazing, great, awe-inspiring... I'm running out of superlatives!

My installation guy just finished installing the Sub's, Sony Amp and my
Blaukpunkt Toronto (Out of my M6) and wow!.. The subs fit and sound
amazing. They really do look like they were built into the car. Carpet
color is perfect (excepting that yours was clean <grin>).

Can't thank you enough. Anyone looking to upgrade their system you can't
bear Rod's workmanship or support.

Take care,

--
Joe Cortney
89 Porsche C4
88 BMW M6

 

**

Subject: Re: Does this list have a moderator?
From: Alan DuBoff <>
Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 21:48:13 -0800
X-Message-Number: 120

Colby,

I'm not gonna beat around the bush, and not really interested in if this list
has a moderator (hang out on it and you'll find out if it does), but I just
wanted to ask...does your Dad need a replacement son while your away at Law
school?

I wanted to apply, since I figure your Dad (who has been lurking here
evidentally) must have another Porsche besides the '84 Cab your getting, or he
probably wouldn't be on this list...

Dad, come on, what type of Porsche do you have? Don't be shy, I'll need to
know what it looks like so I can pick it up (providing I will be filling in
for Colby). If you feel comfortable shipping it without meeting me, send a
private email and I'll give you my address. I might be able to reccomend a
good shipping company as well, if we decide to go that route...

On the serious side, maybe Pops wants to deck your '84 Cab out with a Rod
Birch "the system" (tm) stereo...it's awesome, the CAI subwolfers (tm) are
about as wolf as you can get, not like your average panda or teddy bear, or
even domestic puppy.

I just had "the system" (tm) installed in my '84 and it kicks!

--

Alan DuBoff
Software Orchestration, Inc.

 

*****Partial Success turned into Full Success about 1:30 this morning, and all I
can say is "Incredible!" The job was an incredible job, and I'm considering
seeking advanced placement from DeVry Institute. All told, it took me about
20 hours, which might have been shortened had the crossovers been mounted in
the normal place on the doors. I really think that the ideal size for a
stereo installer is about the size of an underweight jockey, and I'm
biologically challenged at 6'2". But, it was do-able, and the tip about
using Windex to get the cable under the floor was a good suggestion.
Another tip I'd suggest: Install the passenger's seat before installing the
woofer on the passenger's side. The front allen bolts on the seat rails
were nearly impossible to put back in because the seat couldn't travel as
far back as it had when I took it out. I got it done, barely, by raising
the seat to its fullest height, but I think it would have been easier
overall to get everything wired for the passenger subwoofer, and then
replace the seat first.

The sound is truly incredible, too. I was pretty thrilled with it yesterday
with one subwoofer, but when I got the second one hooked up, the improvement
was very noticeable. Not just to me, but also to my wife, which I guess is
the acid test. She really loves the sound even better with both woofers.
You can tell that to anyone considering going with just one side.

I can see why nobody has used your money back guarantee. The system is as
good as you say.

More important (especially for those of us who install our own) is the very
professional way that you made yourself available for questions,
suggestions, sympathy, etc. Also, you didn't gloss over the fact that it
would take quite a while to install, so I generally knew what I was getting
into. Your instructions were excellent. As I mentioned, you might want to
add something about where the resistors mount, and the suggestion about
mounting the passenger subwoofer as the last item.

I would be glad to be a reference for you and your system. Thanks for your
help!

P.S.--We're taking a road trip this weekend, to some curvy roads in the Hill
Country around Austin, just to listen to it and enjoy driving. A 3.6 Turbo
with this kind of sound can only be equated to the scene in "Apocalypse Now"
where the Army helicopters mount speakers and swoop in for attack. Max
ferocity and max sound.

Lee Wilkins

****

Subject: Rod Birch's system
From: "Vic" <>
Date: Wed, 05 Jan 2000 22:04:30 -0500
X-Message-Number: 96

Folks, if you're considering upgrading your stereo system in your 911 and
don't live near Rod Birch, let me tell you, with his help and his
instructions, you can install "The System" in your car and be amazed at the
results.

I did this over Christmas weekend, and believe me, if I can do it, you can.
If you can strip and crimp a wire and (gasp!) operate a drill (just a few
holes), you can do it. Plus, you have Rod as your 24-hour tech support
helper. He can provide a wiring kit with everything you need, including
screws, connectors, ground wires, fuses, etc., and his instructions and
website make it very clear.

I installed a new head unit, Sony amp, subwoofer enclosure and front and
rear speakers. If there's someone who is more inept when it comes to tools
and working on cars, I can't imagine who it would be.

As far as the sound goes, I have played music professionally for many years
and am accustomed to hearing bass through a 10,000 watt sound system with
multiple 18" sound reinforcement speakers, and I can say that Rod's
subwoofer provides absolute deep, "moving" bass with none of the "boom" that
you hear from those ridiculous kids' cars.

If you live near Rod, or if you can lure him to your area, by all means have
him do it. But if, like I was, you are hesitant about the 17-year-old kid at
Circuit City touching your pride and joy, rest assured that you can do a
professional job and be very proud of yourself in the process.

Vic
87 930

PS -- Rod, if you ever get to the Heartland, I'm ready for that Viper alarm
now...

 

Subject: Re: Stereo system
From: "Craig Lenhart" <>
Date: Fri, 21 Jan 2000 20:44:26 -0800
X-Message-Number: 1

Dan,

Give Rod Birch a call. This guy is a "sound surgeon" who is quite
knowledgeable and clearly knows the intricacies of the 911. Rod worked his
magic on my 87 911 Cab this last weekend. The Kenwood KDC9011 AM/FM/CD with
revolving MASK he installed is really trick. Then add the Sony XM754HX
amplifier and Subwoofers and my middle age crisis is complete!

Craig
Rockin' 87 Cab

 

*******a prospective customer inquired to a previous customer:

>Hello ~
>saw your address on Rod Birch's website "east coast install tour"
>I am strongly considering his system in my 911.
>how do you like it? Would you do anything different?
>Appreciate your feedback.
>Thanks!
>
>Chris Latshaw
>82 911sc
>Durango,CO

Chris,

I can confidently say that "the system" is nothing short of amazing.
Rod is a great guy to deal with, no sales pitches on things I didn't need.
I went with Kenwood revolving face unit with the enhanced display(Kenwood
KDC9011), sub-enclosure with (Competition 8)kicker subs, Sony amp(Sony
XM754HX amplifier), Kenwood(4X6)in the rear, and JL Audio XR 525 CX in the
doors.

The craftsmanship of the custom sub enclosure is outstanding, it matches and
fits perfectly in my 911, it is very solid. Bass is very tight, not boomy.
The highs are crisp and clean. I often just sit in the garage and
listen...it kicks my home system's ass, any other car audio system that I
have heard. There was a guy down the street from me with a 964 Cab Turbo
that spent alot more on his system from somebody else and it does not even
compare, he sat, listened and said..."this system kicks ass, I got ripped
off".
I have gotten back into all types of music that I have not listened to in a
while, the system brings everything to life.

I am very picky about my car and Rod took great care during the installation
process, everything was neat, tidy and very professional.

So no, I would not change anything, go with Rod's system, you won't be
disappointed. If you are doing the install yourself he will walk you
through step by step, I just got lucky and had him do the install when he
was over here in the east.

I can take some pictures of the system installed in my car if you would like
and email them too you.

Jeff Kramer
 

 

Subject: Re: what's the fastest you've ever gone in your SC ?
From: "chris latshaw" <>
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2000 9:8:43
X-Message-Number: 34

130 mph on the Hesperus Hwy. between Durango, Co & the New Mexico border,
lots of room left....down here in the land of twisties this is the longest
straight-away around. This is also my Powerball ticket run to NM.
Ya should have seen the looks on the old farmers faces as I raced by !!!

Hope to hit true top speed as I race from Durango, Co to Palm Springs, Ca
in April for...THE BIRCH TREATMENT. Now THAT is incentive to drive as fast
as I can !!!

Chris Latshaw
82 911sc


 

Rod,
Thanks so much for the superb installation of the best sound system I've
heard. The JL Audio are awesome speakers and it once again illustrates that
you should put your money into the speakers since that is what you hear.
The 10" Polk enclosure is working great and it is everything I need in the
low end. This way I can still transport a third person if I really have to
and I have a little more of that premium in 911's - storage space. I get
plenty of bass and the sound quality is outstanding. The disks you use as
demo's really showcase the system and my son (who has a two 12" box) is
truly envious.
The extra care you took and meticulous attention to detail made me think
that we were working on "our" car. Upgrading my door panels with Roadkill
Pro, using waterproof baffles and the plastic cover installation has made a
huge impact on the sound quality and I have more confidence that the JL
speakers will not be damaged by water intrusion.
Please send along your catalog and the settings you used for the
installation. I think if you send what you normally send someone that is
only buying the components - that should work.
Thanks for a great day of working on my Porsche and for the superb
workmanship. I'll spread the word!
Sincerely, Danny Knutson

 

 

***Melissa Mann:

My car ROCKS!! I still get goosebumps listening to some of the songs, and
I've enjoyed listening to your sampler CD's, even in the truck. Hey, you
don't have any sub-enclosures for a Chevy S10, now do you.... :-) Oh, on
second thought, the 911 is currently getting a new cabriolet top, so I
should probably go on a money diet..... Yeah, but it's only money...

I showed off your system to my friend at church Nathan Pizzo, and he was
pretty impressed. He used to do some car stereo work himself, so I think it
gave him lots of ideas on what to do with his 911 SC.


 

Melissa also wrote:

BASS THAT FITS

The Motive
Don't get me wrong. Like any 911 aficionado, I enjoy the sound of my flat
six boxer engine, especially when it's climbing past the 5000 rpm range.
But sometimes, when I'm tooling around town or taking a nice leisurely drive
on my favorite road, I must admit that it's nice to listen to some of my
favorite tunes. It's at times like these that I've noticed that the sound
system in my 911 is sorely lacking in the bass department.

The Opportunity
According to my 1040 form, Uncle Sam graciously said that he had to give me
back some of the taxes that I'd paid during the year. What better reason
to splurge on some new toys for the Porsche?

The Method
Truth be known, I'd been pining after Rod Birch's subwoofer system for quite
some time. Perhaps you've seen Rod's ad in Excellence magazine, where he
advertises "bass that fits." Rod has designed subwoofer enclosures for
911's with model years from 1970 - 1998. (By the way, he has also done
custom work on 944's and 968's.) I subscribe to the rennlist mailing list,
and have seen many positive comments about Rod.

I sent Rod an email and asked him when he could do the work on my car. I
thought it would take weeks to work into his schedule, but as luck would
have it, he was going to be in Palo Alto that weekend and would be more than
happy to drop by and evaluate my car.

Sure enough, that Sunday evening, Rod and his brother Jon pulled into my
driveway. They quickly surmised exactly what my car would need, and
assured me that it would ROCK!! Not only that, but he could do the work at
my house the very next Saturday. During the ensuing week, we exchanged a
couple of emails, including one where Rod listed the exact components he
would be installing, and the prices.

In short, here was his recommendation: keep my SoundStream front speakers
and Kenwood head unit. Replace the amplifier and the stock rear speakers,
and add the subwoofer units.

The next Saturday morning, Rod and Jon drove up and started unloading all
the components. Down went my cabriolet top to give them some elbowroom,
and out went the passenger seat and previous amplifier. In went the big
400-watt Sony amp, and Rod went about programming the crossover frequencies
and wiring the amp. Out went the rear stock Porsche speakers; in went a
set of JL Audio speakers. And, least, but not least, in went the subwoofer
enclosures with a set of Kicker 8" subwoofer speakers. The subwoofer
enclosures are covered with Porsche factory black grey carpet to match my
interior carpet. They match and fit so well that it looks like a factory
installed option.

At this point I should mention that Rod's installation work is first
rate. He solders and tapes his speaker connections and uses 8-gauge wire
for the amplifier. This ensures that the power gets where it needs to. It
should also go without saying that Rod's work is very clean -- no rat's
nests to be found here, wires are zip tied, and the work is well hidden
while doing minimal modification to the car.

The Verdict
Yes, the system LOOKS good, but how does it SOUND? In a word, fabulous! I
can hear the bass!! It isn't that distorted, booming bass sound that you
hear in some cars. I'm sure an audiophile could explain it better, but all
I can say is that the song sounds complete. Depending on the bassline, on
some songs the bass actually reverberates in my solar plexus and I LIKE IT!!
Having a new sound system has inspired me to rediscover some of my favorite
songs. I've spent hours rifling through long-forgotten CD's to see how this
song sounds and that song and that song.... I've tried it with the top up,
with the top down, sitting in the garage, cruising down the highway at
speed.

And, I think it goes without saying that Rod was a pleasure to do business
with. He had the integrity to recommend the set up with the best bang for
the buck, rather than pushing equipment that would give him a higher profit
margin. He and his brother Jon were a joy to meet, very approachable and
willing to share their wealth of knowledge about stereos and Porsches in
general.

Rod offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee -- what are the chances of me
taking him up on it? Let's just say that it's between slim and none.

Good morning, and THANKS, MAN! I must tell you, after listening to The System for a mere three hours or so, I'm amazed, pleased, stoked, and jazzed! All at the same time, in fact.

I knew that such sound was possible in the home, and I suspected that I could get good sound in a car, but was unsure what the confines of a convertible would offer in terms of fidelity. I am truly in awe of what you have created for me.

Sacramento to Lodi last night with the top down, at speed, I could clearly hear the music, even though some of the bass was getting lost in the atmosphere. With the top up, even with the windows down, the music is crystal clear, and enjoyable.

My fiancée was also amazed last night when I played some tracks for her in her garage. Now, she wants to take a road trip to enjoy The System on the open road. But, being a CPA in tax season, I think she's going to have to wait a few weeks ;-)

I'm still getting used to the head unit, and my storage space for my briefcase is now gone ;-) but I can adapt! Sorry this took so long, but we're adding 20 cubicles here at work today and tomorrow, and I get to supervise the work crew, electricians, and data/voice cable people. BUSY!

Have a great day, and thanks again!!

Ken

 

Subject: Yet another Rod Birch endorsement
From: "James, Gregory A" <>
Date: Wed, 5 Apr 2000 08:30:02 -0700
X-Message-Number: 37

I just placed my order for Rod Birch's "System" and cannot wait until it
arrives. Although I have not heard the results yet, I must say that my
experience so far has been absolutely fantastic. You've seen it written
before on this digest but I'll say it again: Rod's service and
customer-orientation are outstanding. You actually get the impression that
this guy doesn't have bad days, and his positive disposition really makes
the purchase experience a delight. From what I've heard others tell, the
delight only increases after the sytem is installed.

If you're thinking about improving the sound of your Porsche audio system,
don't hesitate to give Rod a call. He seems like a fair, honest, enthusiast
who knows what's important in life. Heck, his email signature includes the
quote, "Time spent with a customer is time invested in a friendship." If
only more businesses would treat their customers as well as he does....

He can be reached at http://www.caraudioinnovations.com or 1-800-892-6430.
Enjoy!

Greg
87 Carrera Coupe

Subject: Rod Birch audio system - WOW! (long)
From: "James, Gregory A" <>
Date: Mon, 10 Apr 2000 13:35:11 -0700
X-Message-Number: 47

The short version: Rod Birch's subs are just the ticket to give your 911's
stereo the powerful and controlled sound to match that of it's glorious
flat-6. If you don't have one, get one. You won't be disappointed.

The rest: Exactly as promised, Rod's subs and the amp'n'stuff arrived at my
house last Friday so that I could spend Saturday installing it. After a
rather prolonged battle with a stripped allen bolt on the passenger seat
(heed the warning in the instructions!), I was able to go to work putting
the components in place. The instructions he provided were plenty
sufficient for the average hack mechanic and everything went in without a
hitch. The fit is superb, and no joke, this thing could have been Factory
OE, had Porsche thought of doing this. The carpet match was right on.

The sound? Absolutely fantastic. Just for grins I used my trusty Radio
Shack sound pressure meter and Stereophile's Test CD to determine the
response. It was flat down to about 25 Hz and only down 3 dB at 20 Hz - the
limits of normal hearing. Down in those depths you really more feel it with
your entire body rather than hear it. Amazing. Most telling of the quality
is the fact that when it's playing 20 Hz at 90+ dB, you don't hear upper
harmonics that make it SOUND like more bass but is really just distortion.
This bass is clean, clean, clean. Rivals the twin 12" Velodyne subs I have
in my home theatre.

I'm running a Blaupunkt Toronto CD receiver that is driving Blaupunkt 2-way
door and rear speakers, and I have the Sony XM552HX 2-channel amplifier
driving the subs in bridged mode (about 140 W RMS). Before, with just the
door and rear speakers, the sound was anemic and tinny, discouraging any
adventurous jabs at the Vol+ button. But now, the system has incredible
dynamics. At reasonable volumes the sound is well-balanced and incredibly
satisfying. At elevated volumes, watch out! This system ROCKS! Highly
Recommended.

Get info on "The System" at http://www.caraudioinnovations.com or
1-800-892-6430. This is an unsolicited endorsement from a VERY satisfied
customer.

YMMV, but probably not by much.

GAJ
'87 Carrera
******

Subject: Venting anger, I met the "Anti-Birch" (long)
From: "Bernie Pavlick" <>
Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2000 12:5:54
X-Message-Number: 43

This post is just letting me vent my anger at an alarm install that I just
had completed so feel free to skip it. I have recently started driving a
1980 SC, as I park in an unprotected lot during the work day I thought I
should invest in an alarm/imoblizer. I liked the features of the Clifford
G4 models, I went to a shop close to my home that has been in business at
least 15 years, told the salesman that I wanted a simple alarm that would
disable the ignition and or the fuel system. He recomended the Clifford
6000 and it also had the added feature of a good glass breakage sensor. He
also mentioned that he owned a 911 slant nose. My car does not have power
locks and he sold me on the idea of adding a power lock for the drivers
door fo $60 additional. So far great! I drop my car off one morning to be
picked up the following afternoon. When I go to pick it up the installer
tells me that there is a problem, he could not figure a way to run the
wires from under the dash through the door, now I'm thinking that this must
have been the first 911 he ever worked on. Well the door lock is not a big
deal as I didn't think of it until the salesman recomended it. The
installer shows me how the buttons work and I head home. When I opened the
hood I could not believe it, there are wires taped up with electrical tape
every where. When I undid some of the tape if found wires just twisted
together, no connectors, no solder. I called the owner/manager the next
day to complain, he asked me to bring the car in so they could look at the
install. When I went back to their shop the manager did not even come out
of his office to meet me but had the same installer look at my car. When I
pointed out that these wires that were just twisted together and taped
would not cut it his response was "that was the way they always did it".
"Soldering would take too long and time is money in this business." He was
willing to re-tape the connections, one of which was an un-fused connection
directly to the battery. At this point I decided to get out of there as
quick as I could and re-do the connections myself.

Bottom line is I now understand why people write about how happy they are
with Rod's professional installs. Sorry for the band width but I feel
better now.

Bernie

 

 

Subject: FS/trade: 1987 930 coupe
From: "Vic" <>
Date: Wed, 24 May 2000 07:26:41 -0600
X-Message-Number: 18

1987 930 coupe, GP white/marine blue, 33k miles, records, beautiful shape,
fresh gearbox, clutch, tires, B&B intercooler, HKS boost control, Euro
muffler, Rod Birch audio -- "The System," original paint, 2-4 percent
leakdown, PorschePHD serviced. Fast, straight and tight. $40k or Porsche
trade (need daily driver ... C2? 993?). See it at
http://www.arborsjazz.com/930.html

Vic
87 930

 

On September 28, 2000, Tom Keating wrote:

thank goodness a few have discovered that we, being 993 owners, are somewhat different than the 911 owners. even though we all hail from the same lineage. however, something that touches us all is when there is an individual who serves the entire air cooled community with integrity and innovation. rod birch made my car sound like my home stereo and he is to be commended. as a matter of fact, i, on more than one occasion called rod at home, late at night, and he solved any problem i had.

the greatest thing is that for all of his knowledge and assistance, he did not charge me any more for my equipment than the largest national clearinghouse (crutchfields).

thank you rod.

 

Rod,

I also want to thank you for your support throughout this operation. I have
been very pleased. Yes, it would have been nice if the crossovers hadn't had
problems but that's the way it goes. I have certainly learned a lot during
this process but I would have been completely lost without your support.

I put the second old crossover in the mail today. One thing I thought about
is that the crossover I returned last week had a broken case as well as a
none functioning switch. It may be that some rough handling happened
somewhere in shipping that damaged them both. If you do any testing of this
let me know what you find out.

Also, if you ever need a recommendation or testimonial for someone who has
cold feet, please feel free to use me. Like most Porsche folks, I love my
car and certainly like to help others in our common love for the cars.

At a later date I will give you a couple of ideas I have regarding the
challenges I faced. They may help others later.

Kevin Marks

 

Subject: RE:Need Stereo Referal
From:
Date: Sat, 9 Dec 2000 15:31:0
X-Message-Number: 37

I also recently used Rod Birch and caraudioinovations. He helped me spec
the system and I installed it myself. He provide excellent instructions
and his websit has step by step instruction and pictures.

I am fairly competent mechanically but had no electronics experience. I
call Rod several times for details and he was always there to help. I
highly recommend him.

Kevin Marks
"78 930

 

From: "Dean Thomas" <>

To: "****" <>

Subject: RE: The System

Date: Wednesday, May 16, 2001 6:52 AM

 

Rod,

 

No, thank YOU!  I am very happy that I waited so long to upgrade the system

in the 911 so that I could get it done right by someone who actually cares

about the end result.  It is a pleasure to do business with you.

 The system sounds, in a word, amazing.  I was probably a danger to myself

and others on the drive home as I kept flipping through my CDs and my MP3

player trying to find all of my favorite songs to audition on my new system.

The sound is so tight, even with the top and windows down at 80 mph.  I

played Dave Matthews’ “So Much to Say” for my girlfriend last night and she,

too, fell in love with the system.  The Focals make all the difference.

Like you said, the Sony separates were totally the weakest link, and I am

very happy that you pointed that out.

 I consider every penny of it money very well spent.  It will make our sunny

weekend drives through Napa and Sonoma so much more enjoyable with David

Gray (not straining!) flooding the car.

 I’ll be ready to do the alarm on the 911 soon, and you are the only person

that will get to touch the car.  You definitely have me as a customer for life. 

Please pass my gracious thanks on to Loyd, too, as he did great work!

 Thanks,

 Dean

 ___________________________

 

Rod,

I had the system installed last week.
All I can say is ...HOLY COW!!!
I have owned many cars in my life time, many higher end vehicles and
I have never had any sound as good
as this one. Crisp-Clear-deep & loud bass. Incredible.
I wish I was younger to really appreciate the system.
When I left the installation guy said that he wanted to call me and
tell me that he wanted to install the system in a completely different way
that you had suggested in your detailed instructions. However, because I
insisted
on following the directions he did and could not believe the sound quality.

After it was done he removed his HIP HOP CD he was testing with and watched
me put
in a classical cd and drive away. I think he was disappointed in my
selection but
MOZART never sounded better. I am going to tell all of my friends at my
club!
PS thanks for the t-shirt and demo cds! They are great.

James D. Ryan
Senior Vice President
800-398-2292 EXT. 111

http://www.ECCT.NET
"The Credit Union Networking Specialists"

 

Rod,

 Yesterday, FINALLY, the new amp was installed in my 911.  I guess the guy from my local shop had been discussing getting it to fit under the seat with you.  I was glad that he was able to make it work in that location.

 The system sounds AWESOME!  Love the bass, and the Focals sound great.....And the NAK head unit---WOW!

 I really wanted to personally thank you for working with me on this project.  You were super helpful, totally customer oriented, and passionate about making sure everything worked out just right.  It's not every day you meet someone in the retail business who has the passion, knowledge and dedication to being #1 in what you do.

 Thanks again for everything............It's been a pleasure working with you on this.........

 Best regards and keep up the great work......

 Jeremy Pinsly

Jacksonville, Florida

Ø     Rod,
>
> THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!
>
> I wanted to thank you for the amazing job you did on my Porsche.
> It was totally worth the drive to Sacramento!!
> This is a total different experience now, the sound is crystal clear,
> set-up is perfect, and when looking at the door, I saw that you even put
> washers that were missing on the door panels, it's even better now than
> when I brought her in!!! Those are small little details that say long
> about you and your work.
>
> I have to admit that I'm very picky when it comes to my 911, even
> borderline maniac, but I was extremely pleased with my experience with
> you and your team.
>
> Customer service -- was great, you responded to all my emails so
> quickly, suggested the best solution for my needs and budget, and did
> not push to try to sell me something.
>
> Expertise -- You obviously know what you're talking about, it was a nice
> change after a few experiences I had with best buy or The Good Guys
> employees I dealt with :) You are definitely the Audio master for the
> 911!!!
>
> Attitude -- it was a true and sincere pleasure to meet you and your
> team, you guys are great!!!
>
> Dedication -- it's comforting to see somebody taking so much pride in
> his work.
>
> I wish you the best, and can't wait to come back for the subwoofers.
> Please feel free to use me as a reference if you need to, I'm
> recommending you to everybody I know!!!
>
> Keep up the good work!!
>
> Take care,
> Stephan.
>

Ø     Houston, we have sound!

Rod -- thanks again for the great instructions, phenominal product
selection and the patience to literally wait years for me to make
up my mind.  I can't believe how well the Focals fit and how good
it all looks.

I got the doors done, hooked up power and listened for a while.  It
sounds great!  I marveled at the punchy bass for several songs on the
radio.  Later I discovered the Eclipse initially powered up with loudness
on.  Doh!  Well, at least I know how I can keep up with the neighbor
kids and their subs.  The Focals really sound nice.  Listened to some
vocals on CD and they are sweet.

The install went very smoothly albeit slow.  That's normal for me.  I
rebuilt a '78 911 engine for the race car this winter and figure it took
80 hours -- about double the book rate.  It, like this install, was a fun
project.  Took it on as an adventure and didn't get hung up in things that
went wrong or time spent double checking my work.  The other similarity is
I'm in no hurry to do either project again :-)

Thanks!
-Vic

(Porsche, Porsche 911, and 911 are all trademarks of Porsche Cars North America, no affiliation or endorsement is intended)  Email addresses have been removed from individual emails to prevent unauthorized "robots" from adding them to spam databases.  Please contact us for references with any of the above individuals, and we'll put you in touch!