TeLLy

iTrader: (23)

Well, I always said I loved my JVC KD-SH99. Today, I think it's pooched, and because it couldn't be at a worse time, I'm mad at it:

I was on the way to work today and I noticed my reggae CD cutting in and out...I was like CRAP, stupid CD's all scratched and skipping again. So I popped in one that I had just burned, guaranteed no scratches...and it did it again.

****!

I then turned my brain on to diagnostic mode, and listened carefully. Turns out this happened whenever I was hitting bumps on the road. Because my coilovers are hella stiff, any variation in the road surface is translated into my ride very easily. And I noticed that usually skips in the CD playing result in being tossed a second ahead or behind in the music. This time, not so - it was as if someone was connecting and disconnecting speakers; the songs stayed on beat.

I pulled into work, then yanked my center console right there. Made sure all wiring was secure, then reassembled and went inside. Worked till about 1, then took my lunch half-hour to instead drive around and diagnose. The sound cutting out is still happening, every time I hit a bump. Basically every time the body of the car is vibrated somehow the sound cuts out. So I pulled the center console again, checked the wiring....all solid. Reseated it all anyway, put the center console back in, turned the car on to ACC and played the CD. Played fine, but then I turned the volume all the way off, and I heard a clicking noise in the unit, kinda like a hard drive that's dropped a bearing. Also, I tested out opening and closing the door - whenever there was impact from the door closing, the deck would cut sound. I can imagine even diagnostic and repair of this clicking sound will be rather costly so it's more worth my while to grab a new deck...dammit.

I'm pissed, cause this is the last thing I need to spend money on right now, but at the same time I'll be damned if I drive even 10km without SOME kind of music! Grrrr....
Well, I guess I can grab that Alpine deck I've been hankering for now. Thankfully I've got a line of credit...

taz757

iTrader: (2)

Dude, I'd recommend a Pioneer deck. They've got some pretty good SQ and priced very nciely too.

TeLLy

iTrader: (23)

This is true....any models you'd care to recommend I check out? Actually anyone who can recommend something with a motorized (sorta optional) detachable face and mp3/wma capability please post up. I'm leaning toward the Alpine CDA-7984 right now, as my buddy can get me one for $320 Canadian right this second. Also the Alpine CDA-9807 for $270 Canadian, not motorized but for the Alpine name I'm willing to sacrifice....I've been out of the deck market for some time now, I don't even know the current standard in terms of specs and features. My price range is around $250-ish USD, or $320-ish CDN.

taz757

iTrader: (2)

Well, unfourtantely, for the Pioneer Premier DEH-P760MP, it's gonna cost you $350USD. But that gets you a very quality deck for the price, IMO. You can go with the Pioneer DEH-P7600MP and save yourself $20, but you don't get the higher quality preouts and longer warranty, to name a few things.

TeLLy

iTrader: (23)

That's a bit out of my range I'm afraid. I'll go up to $400 Canadian if the thing is mindbogglingly good ie makes me martinis and comes with a gym membership.

zen_master

iTrader: (6)

how about DEH-P8600MP?

i got this one.

what's the main difference between the normal decks vs. Premier decks??

taz757

iTrader: (2)

I understand that it's a bit out of your price range, but I think you'd be pleasantly surprised at the quality of the HU. I love my DEX-P1R that I got a few years ago.

TeLLy

iTrader: (23)

Well, I'll see if I can stop by an audio shop that carries it tonight. The thought of driving around without tunes in my gf's area this weekend, where EVERYONE has a crappy loud system and listens to teen-punk makes me want to jam a medium-sized philips head screwdriver in my ear until I hear a cracking noise and everything goes black.

taz757

iTrader: (2)

iPod man, iPod.

TeLLy

iTrader: (23)

Can't afford THAT either.

zen_master

iTrader: (6)

work together @ www.freeipods.com ?

shmik1

iTrader: (6)

a friend of mine got a cheap pioneer deck, $100USD range, and has been using it for over 3yrs now, doesnt take care of anything, and his deck still works fine..

taz757

iTrader: (2)

I've already got an iPod. I don't need another one. Hell, I don't use it as it is now.

brash

I don't see what the advantage of the Pioneer is over the Alpine, myself. I'd go with the Alpine. Then again, I prefer Alpines over Pioneers anyway, so having to choose between a less expense Alpine and a more expensive Pioneer isn't very hard for me...

shmik1

iTrader: (6)

in that case i'd go for alpine too, im just saying even cheap pioneers are durable, in my experiences pioneer is extremely durable and will take a beating and still work, i've never owned an Alpine deck but i know they are better quality.. my pioneer ran me $250-300, and im happy with it, my next deck will probably be an Alpine..

turboslug

if it's out of waranty, open it up and try cleaning the lens with a q-tip...dont bother with any of those cleaning cds..

brash

Actually, the iPod idea isn't bad at all. When my last deck (in my last car) went bad, I bought an Archos Jukebox Recorder, replaced the 20gb drive with an 80gb one, and hooked it up via Aux input. I couldn't live with out it, now...

But then, I have ~75gb of music, which is next to impossible to have all on CDs!

Cost me $129 (after rebate) for the JBR + $200 for the 80gb drive - $50 when I sold the 20gb drive = $279 total. A good deal, IMHO!

MrWong

iTrader: (4)

Clarion decks are a good stuff, get the pro audio line.

MegaHurtz

iTrader: (6)

Sucks to hear that man, I run JVC decks and I've never had a problem, but who knows what the future may hold

VTEC01EX

iTrader: (6)

I'll second that - Check out the Clarion ProAudio DXZ745MP.

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

Eclipse has very good (and cheap) decks.

TeLLy

iTrader: (23)

Didn't end up buying a deck:

My woman heard of my plight and told me to come by her house, so we can go to East Hamilton Radio, a very respected stereo shop with a really good selection. I figured "Sweet, if I put out, she might buy me an Alpine deck!" On the way to my gf's house, I noticed my map lights weren't working. When I got to her house, I found also that my trunk light and dome light didn't either. When I checked the fuse for these in the engine bay, I found it was blown. Popped in a 7.5A fuse, and off to EHR we sped. The music didn't cut out once on the way, and we took a BUMPY route because I wanted to show her how annoying the sound loss was. We got to EHR and just browsed, LOL. Well, now I should buy an amp....