I don't think it should affect it.

RCA's carry the sound signal out of the head unit, into the amp, and back out to the speakers.

Steering wheel controls run in the loom between s/w and headunit - headunit signals volume to the amp via the RCAs.

Best to direct these questions at the manufacturers of these headunits. Both seem to have different degrees of compatability. They will be able to answer your question better than I ever could - I've only done a Dynavin into a non-DSP car using factory amp and speakers.

CD stopped working when LCD screen blacked out.
 

Is there reason why my cd player stopped working at the same time that my LCD screen blacked out? I was about to order the N6 but read that if you have DSP + NAV it would not work.
It seems like I will have to fix the original unit but was wondering if maybe it is just a case of a disconnected cable etc.

So will then N6 work using the factory amp? I have a non dsp with Navigation Idont want to update the amps and speakers all at once.

Yes it will

So...

where do we stand on this thing - has anyone tried it out yet??

I was hoping someone had tried the avant 2... but looks like we (my wife and I) will have to be the first. Was tempted to start retrofitting everything into the factory setup like you did Terminator (thanks BTW for all your info) but in the end it will be easier to get the tech we are looking for by just updating the head unit.

Btw I spoke to Jeff at J&T today (Dynavin distributor) they are working on a DSP fix for US models. The N6 works plug and play for dsp in the rest of world E53/E39 etc models but wasn't working out of the box with US models. He will update when the fix is ready, check the N6 thread on Bimmerforums for updates as well.

There is cost/ value relationship. If the car came with very basic stuff, why would you put factory nav? Makes no sense, with cost, $2k, and benefits.... if the car was already loaded, ripping everything out makes no sense either, as you can add AUX, BT dongle, and you got streaming pandora or what not... for $25-70 investment you bring 15 year old ride on par with today's cars... going with projection of cell phone video to factory screen calls for more investment in the US, as we did not have TV module here, might be a bit easier for ones who have module alreafy, either as part of nav or a stand alone option... then your investment is in tv in motion module and hardware to flip phone video to RCA standard. Once you weight your cost and benefits, you take the plunge... i like playing with wires, not everyone is into it...

I like playing with wires as well (I'm an installer) but also don't like to do wiring for the sake of doing wiring. As you say, the cost/benefit ratio has to be right, including the time involved.

I have factory nav w/o DSP... but I am not a fan of the factory screen's viewing angles. I am 6'8" tall and my driving position is apparently in the bermuda triangle of viewing angles for the nav unit. I did replace the screen with aftermarket Sharp unit... but I double and triple checked the part number that I did not get the e39 screen...

Anyway, I think for my situation the Avant 2 is going to be the best bang for the buck in my situation since I have factory nav and no DSP. Was just hoping someone else had run the unit first so I could get first hand impressions. I've seen lots of info about it from e46 owners though...

I don't see this mentioned in the specs of either of the two solutions so maybe one of you can answer... do either of these head units control the multi-CD player embedded in the center console?

Thanks

J