good head unit for my car

[dyer_maker]

I am looking at buying a new head unit for my car. I am looking to spend between $250-$400 US dollars. Does anyone have any suggestions. I am thinking about either an Alpine or Eclipse...unless someone knows of some better buys. Thanks...links to the product would be a great help.

[Kuasimodem]

As for quality, any of the bigger name units like Sony, Aiwa, Pioneer, etc... are good choices.

The things that I look for are ease-of-use and features. Try to find a unit that won't take your eyes off the road hunting for controls. Some of the new CD decks on the market will now read CDRs and CDRWs and even decode MP3s!

Sony XPlod CDX-CA860X (http://www.xplodsony.com/products/?CATEGORY=CD&MD=CDX-CA860X)
Aiwa CD Receivers (http://www.aiwa.com/Catalog00/Products1.asp?subcat=12)

[jad1097]

I don't care much for Sony. ALpine has always been my first choice but now it is hard to get them unless you let them install it for you.


I have a few questions. Do you want to be able to play MP3's? How many RCA outs do you need/want? Sub out? EQ? There are quite a few good head units in that price range so by listing some features you would like to have would help.

[dyer_maker]

If at all possible for that price I would like to be able to play MP3's, but it isn't a necessity. I do need the RC-outs, but that is about it otherwise. Thanks for the help.

[Warthog]

Forget Sony altogether. Don't even think about it. Sony car audio is quite worthless, a proven fact.

Alpine or Eclipse are great choices. Alpine has a model that I like for $430. I don't know much about it, but it did say it "mp3" on the player when I saw it in the store.

I've never heard of Aiwa making good car audio.....what you mentioned are the best.

Warthog

[jad1097]

Just about every major maker now makes a CD-MP3 player. Here is an incomplete list. (http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S-uwylCoLC905/ProdGroup.asp?c=3&g=62700&s=0) Alpine has a nice one but it is $850.

I have heard and read some good things about the Awia one.

[Warthog]

If you want more opinions, go here:
www.caraudioforum.com (http://www.caraudioforum.com)

From the many car audio freaks that abound there, I learned that Alpine and Eclipse are the top choices for HU. Oh yeah, Pioneer Premier (not regular Pioneer) isn't too bad either. Do a search because that topic is quite frequent.

Obviously, looking at the features is a big part of choosing a good HU but if you get a not so good brand it's not going to last you. Brand name is also quite important. I know people who have had Alpine units for 5-6 years. Don't know about you, I don't feel like spending $400+/- on a new HU every couple of years http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Warthog

[This message has been edited by Warthog (edited 07-09-2001).]

[LordLocksley]

I have this one and LOVE it.
It takes days to get through the entire CD.
Kenwood KDC-MP8017

[1000hours]

I would recommend the Nakamichi CD-45Z. Very high quality. Ranks up with Eclipse and such. Also has a great front interface. Not too flashy like most other brands. Here is a link to it:
http://nakamichi.com/auto/cdplayers/cd_45.htm

Retails around $300-$350.

[zskillz]

I just bought a panasonic... the model was something 501 I love it. it looks bada$$ and it has 3 sets of pre-amp outs for front, rear, and sub.

give it a look. I bought it at soundtrack

-Z

[jad1097]

Here are a few. There are quite a few choices but these are a few I would consider. The Alpine being my first choice for the fact it has 4volt RCA output which mean the RCA cables are less likly to pick up noise. I think if I wanted one that plays MP3's I would go with either the Awia or Fosgate one. I don't care much for Kenwoods after seeing the specs for the RCA's are under 2volts.


Alpine CDM-7871 (http://www.alpine1.com/html/D2_n_1_n_n.html) MSRP:$300
3 PreOuts 4V (less noise)


Roc kford Fosgate (http://rockets2.rockfordcorp.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/RFProductsListNonBuy-Start;%24sid%24eddkOztJ_JGxyxrRIbniGY8RRAHIut3S?Ca tegoryName=RF_Products) RFX9000 Plays MP3's MSRP:$447.00
RFX8330 MSRP:$360.00 3 pair RCA out's

Aiwa (http://www.aiwa.com/Catalog00/Products2.asp?id=174) CDC-MP32

Kenwood (http://www.kenwoodusa.com/division.jsp?categoryId=3) KDC-MP8017 Plays MP3's MSRP:$360.00-$450.00



[This message has been edited by jad1097 (edited 07-09-2001).]

[dyer_maker]

Jad1097...thanks a bunch for all your help. I did some looking of my own and them are basically the ones I found too that best met my needs. I appreciate the help from all!!

[crazyray]

Our young friend Warty is at least partly right. Sony's car audio has been plagued by quality control problems in recent years. If MP3 is important, AVOID the Aiwa, nasty rep for poor quality. Again, IF MP3 is part of the picture, I'd check out the Rockford and Kenwood head units. I am unaware of any others at this time.

[dyer_maker]

Thanks to everyone who has posted...

As for right now I have settled on the JVC KD-SH99 CD/MP3 Receiver. This one will have to do for the time being. I want to try out a few players that will play mp3's...so I am sure I will be buying a different one in a couple of months if I don't like this one. Thanks again to everyone who helped me out.

[struggles]

1000Hours is quite correct. Nachamichi makes some of the best car audio equiptment out there. I've had the rd-350 for about 10 years now and it still out-performs most modern head units. The FM reception is incredible.

[MiKe85]

Kenwood, Pioneer, or Eclipse would be my choices.

Nakamichi would REALLY be nice, my dad used to have one in his car back in the eighties, and said it was great! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[Barney]

Warthog, Sony sells the better stuff they make as Aiwa. You get more features at a lower price, but without the Sony tag. I remember when my brother bought an Aiwa walkman with Dolby and auto reverse for 50 bucks, while Sony's most expensive model didn't even have Dolby yet.

[Warthog]

Kenwood is basically equivalent to Pioneer. I'm talking about "regular" Pioneer, not their Premier models.

Barney - I don't like Aiwa either http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

Warthog

[flash4master]

me likes pioneer, premiere, and alpine...

sony = crapola

and mike, why are you bringing up all these audio posts?

[Warthog]

and mike, why are you bringing up all these audio posts?

That's what me was wondering

Warthog

[MiKe85]

Because me was bored one day and typed in "Car Audio" in the search box. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif