I'm in the market for a new deck and could use a bit of advice.
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I'm in the market for a new deck and could use a bit of advice.
Hey guys. I haven't bought a new deck in a while and my JVC is on its way out, so I'm looking to get one with my income tax return. The general price range is around $200 - $250, but I'd go a tad higher if it was what I really wanted. I'm getting all of my prices off of eBay, shipping included, by the way.
I've pretty much narrowed it down to a few decks that I would like opnions on. If you've owned anything by the company, I'd like to hear about it, good or bad.
First off are Alpine. I've heard many good things about then and I was wondering if their reputation still stands? How about Pioneer? (Premier included) Anything good with Panasonic? They look good on paper, but I don't know anyone who has one.
If you guys could give me some pros/cons of one, or all, of the decks, please do. I'll be your friend.
Thanks!
Click on the picture to get the specs.
Alpine CDA-9851
Alpine CDA-9853
Blaupunkt Casablanca MP54
Clarion ProAudio DXZ845MC
Kenwood Excelon KDC-X789
Panasonic MXE CQ-C7401U
Panasonic MXE CQ-C8401U
Pioneer DEH-P7700MP
Any input at all is greatly appreciated! Thanks guys!
Also....if anyone is selling a decent deck, please PM me.
I've pretty much narrowed it down to a few decks that I would like opnions on. If you've owned anything by the company, I'd like to hear about it, good or bad.
First off are Alpine. I've heard many good things about then and I was wondering if their reputation still stands? How about Pioneer? (Premier included) Anything good with Panasonic? They look good on paper, but I don't know anyone who has one.
If you guys could give me some pros/cons of one, or all, of the decks, please do. I'll be your friend.
Thanks!Click on the picture to get the specs.
Alpine CDA-9851
Alpine CDA-9853
Blaupunkt Casablanca MP54
Clarion ProAudio DXZ845MC
Kenwood Excelon KDC-X789
Panasonic MXE CQ-C7401U
Panasonic MXE CQ-C8401U
Pioneer DEH-P7700MP
Any input at all is greatly appreciated! Thanks guys!
Also....if anyone is selling a decent deck, please PM me.
Im a big pioneer fan, just for what you get for what you pay, so i may be a little byas, i like the alpine too, the one thing i dont like about my pioneer is how the track select is on the other side, stay away fromt that, out of the two alpine, the 9853, cuz the # is higher, lol, just my opinion
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Originally Posted by zen_master
i prefer pioneer...
alpine's sound quality is excelent...however, they just suck on user interface and graphic.....
alpine's sound quality is excelent...however, they just suck on user interface and graphic.....
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Rep Power: 311 Thanks guys. I had an old Pioneer way back and it still works in a friends whip, but i'm not crazy about the single **** on the one I posted. I liked it when the track select was on the right.
How important is the preamp voltage? Say the Pioneer has 2.2 and the Panasonic has 5. Will I be able to tell the difference? I want good SQ, but an attractive display wouldn't hurt either.
Teampointless.....do you have a reason for your choice? thanks for your input!
How important is the preamp voltage? Say the Pioneer has 2.2 and the Panasonic has 5. Will I be able to tell the difference? I want good SQ, but an attractive display wouldn't hurt either.
Teampointless.....do you have a reason for your choice? thanks for your input!
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Rep Power: 311 Nice. Thanks!
EDIT: Haha. Soon man soon. I'm going record shopping and then I'm gonna record a set. Mark my words. I will have one recorded by the end of the summer. Won't be trance though
Thanks for the continued support!
EDIT: Haha. Soon man soon. I'm going record shopping and then I'm gonna record a set. Mark my words. I will have one recorded by the end of the summer. Won't be trance though
Thanks for the continued support! 
I wouldn't get alpine the preout volts is only 2.. Dont even think about panasonic. Mp3 plays,but takes time and its wont read cd if you even have small scratch. Your best Option is Pioneer DEH-P7700MP because they have 4v preout and cheaper then alpine plus more option and way way way better then panasonic.
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Rep Power: 328 I'd say the Alpine 9853 or the Pioneer 7700.
Of those two, I'd choose the Pioneer. I love their units, so it's a personal preference thing there. With that particular unit, the ergonimics of it are certainly better than any of the others as far as operating without looking at the unit. It's every easy to use. I also like the way that their menus are layered for ease of navigation. The parametric EQ (I think that they are 7 band on this unit) are really user friendly as well. Overall, a great unit, just like I've come to expect, from pioneer.
Another company to look at, especially if you're concerned about security, would be Nakamichi, as they look stock, but have all of the features of an aftermarket deck.
As far as output voltage, it's not really as big a deal as some people make it. The big difference it makes, IMO, is whether or not you have the amp on high input voltage, or low input voltage. Anything over (I believe it's 3.5 volts, if I'm remembering my rule of thumb correctly) is considered high input voltage, thus that's where your switch should be. I'm sure there are answers for other things as well, but that's what I look at as far as output volts goes.
Of those two, I'd choose the Pioneer. I love their units, so it's a personal preference thing there. With that particular unit, the ergonimics of it are certainly better than any of the others as far as operating without looking at the unit. It's every easy to use. I also like the way that their menus are layered for ease of navigation. The parametric EQ (I think that they are 7 band on this unit) are really user friendly as well. Overall, a great unit, just like I've come to expect, from pioneer.
Another company to look at, especially if you're concerned about security, would be Nakamichi, as they look stock, but have all of the features of an aftermarket deck.
As far as output voltage, it's not really as big a deal as some people make it. The big difference it makes, IMO, is whether or not you have the amp on high input voltage, or low input voltage. Anything over (I believe it's 3.5 volts, if I'm remembering my rule of thumb correctly) is considered high input voltage, thus that's where your switch should be. I'm sure there are answers for other things as well, but that's what I look at as far as output volts goes.
www.eclipse-web.com definately check these out i highly recommend them. AWSOME DECKS
Originally Posted by PopcornPlaya
Another company to look at, especially if you're concerned about security, would be Nakamichi, as they look stock, but have all of the features of an aftermarket deck.
Originally Posted by PopcornPlaya
I'd say the Alpine 9853 or the Pioneer 7700.
Of those two, I'd choose the Pioneer. I love their units, so it's a personal preference thing there. With that particular unit, the ergonimics of it are certainly better than any of the others as far as operating without looking at the unit. It's every easy to use. I also like the way that their menus are layered for ease of navigation. The parametric EQ (I think that they are 7 band on this unit) are really user friendly as well. Overall, a great unit, just like I've come to expect, from pioneer.
Another company to look at, especially if you're concerned about security, would be Nakamichi, as they look stock, but have all of the features of an aftermarket deck.
As far as output voltage, it's not really as big a deal as some people make it. The big difference it makes, IMO, is whether or not you have the amp on high input voltage, or low input voltage. Anything over (I believe it's 3.5 volts, if I'm remembering my rule of thumb correctly) is considered high input voltage, thus that's where your switch should be. I'm sure there are answers for other things as well, but that's what I look at as far as output volts goes.
Of those two, I'd choose the Pioneer. I love their units, so it's a personal preference thing there. With that particular unit, the ergonimics of it are certainly better than any of the others as far as operating without looking at the unit. It's every easy to use. I also like the way that their menus are layered for ease of navigation. The parametric EQ (I think that they are 7 band on this unit) are really user friendly as well. Overall, a great unit, just like I've come to expect, from pioneer.
Another company to look at, especially if you're concerned about security, would be Nakamichi, as they look stock, but have all of the features of an aftermarket deck.
As far as output voltage, it's not really as big a deal as some people make it. The big difference it makes, IMO, is whether or not you have the amp on high input voltage, or low input voltage. Anything over (I believe it's 3.5 volts, if I'm remembering my rule of thumb correctly) is considered high input voltage, thus that's where your switch should be. I'm sure there are answers for other things as well, but that's what I look at as far as output volts goes.
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My amp is on low input so a 2 volt preamp would suffice.
It seems like the general concensus is with the Alpine 9853. I'm still not sure, but there's not a big rush for it. I need to see it in person and see who has the best price.
My amp is on low input so a 2 volt preamp would suffice.
It seems like the general concensus is with the Alpine 9853. I'm still not sure, but there's not a big rush for it. I need to see it in person and see who has the best price.
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Rep Power: 0 IMO, always compare HU with features. For the same money you pay, the LESS feature it provides will give you MORE sound quality. It is very simple to show that, for example, the HU takes 20 Amps from the battery(like the Alpine HUs). How you are going to use that 20 Amps (20x12=240W) will dominate how your system will sound.
Generally, it takes about 5-10 Amps to drive the CD player with DAC and all preouts, with simple Treble/Bass(1 band fixed and 1 band parametric equalizer.) (Without power. Try compare fuse rating of "dead head". ie. CDA-7995 uses 5Amp and DVA-7996 DVD player uses 7.5Amps), the rest of them are used for internal power, display, etc. If you have an amp this is not a big deal. What you should consider is the quality of DAC if this is the case.
Animation/graphic display consumes extra power, and these kind of head units usually have lower sound quality. An analogy is this: a girl not looking too good, how she's going to attract guys? Right? "Make something up!" Also, I don't suggest having that because it will generally cause interference while driving. I don't know if any time you will actually be looking at it. If you don't plan to show off to your passenger, or most of the time you are the only one in your car, then just go plain.
Think simple, natural beauty has nobody who can make up to surpass it. I would say go with Alpine, plain and simple, using external amp, you will never be disappointed..
Generally, it takes about 5-10 Amps to drive the CD player with DAC and all preouts, with simple Treble/Bass(1 band fixed and 1 band parametric equalizer.) (Without power. Try compare fuse rating of "dead head". ie. CDA-7995 uses 5Amp and DVA-7996 DVD player uses 7.5Amps), the rest of them are used for internal power, display, etc. If you have an amp this is not a big deal. What you should consider is the quality of DAC if this is the case.
Animation/graphic display consumes extra power, and these kind of head units usually have lower sound quality. An analogy is this: a girl not looking too good, how she's going to attract guys? Right? "Make something up!" Also, I don't suggest having that because it will generally cause interference while driving. I don't know if any time you will actually be looking at it. If you don't plan to show off to your passenger, or most of the time you are the only one in your car, then just go plain.
Think simple, natural beauty has nobody who can make up to surpass it. I would say go with Alpine, plain and simple, using external amp, you will never be disappointed..
Damn, nobody had anything nice to say about Kenwood??? I have a Kenwood Z-Series....its a few years old, friggin awesome, I put the volume at like 13-14 and the wife can hear me from atleast a 1/2 mile down the road. But my brother-in-law swears by Alpine.
By the way, the Z series was really expensive, so thats why i should get good quality.
By the way, the Z series was really expensive, so thats why i should get good quality.
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Rep Power: 0 DAC=Digital to Analog Convertor. Every CD player has internal DAC. The quality of DAC dominates the quality of sound output. You may want a 24bit/192kHz or 24bit/96kHz DAC, but that will be very expensive for a high quality unit. Alpine uses 1-bit regulated DAC for all 98xx head units, while JVC has some units that uses 24bit DAC. I am not sure about those qualities because TI(Burr Brown) has many DAC chips that have the same resolution but their qualities differ widely(S/N ratio, THD, voltage, etc). Alpine also has 24-bit MDAC(multi-level DAC) offered in CHA-S634 CD changer.
To power the stock speaker, Alpine HU has more power than enough. If you want clean sound, just make sure that you turn OFF MX, because MX alters the frequency output of the signal. BTW, our car has a very high level boost at 80Hz on the driver's side, so try to set your crossover to 125Hz 24dB/oct high pass on front channel, rear bandpass(high and low pass together), HP at 500 and LP and 5k, both running 24dB/Oct, and subwoofer for low pass at 125Hz for 24dB/oct.
One more thing is that, CDA-9853/9851 has the capability of 3-way mode, so you can actually use front for tweeter, rear for front door woofer, and sub out for subwoofer. This way you can buy an aftermarket tweeter without buying a whole set.
You will know when you get your head unit. Have fun!
To power the stock speaker, Alpine HU has more power than enough. If you want clean sound, just make sure that you turn OFF MX, because MX alters the frequency output of the signal. BTW, our car has a very high level boost at 80Hz on the driver's side, so try to set your crossover to 125Hz 24dB/oct high pass on front channel, rear bandpass(high and low pass together), HP at 500 and LP and 5k, both running 24dB/Oct, and subwoofer for low pass at 125Hz for 24dB/oct.
One more thing is that, CDA-9853/9851 has the capability of 3-way mode, so you can actually use front for tweeter, rear for front door woofer, and sub out for subwoofer. This way you can buy an aftermarket tweeter without buying a whole set.
You will know when you get your head unit. Have fun!
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Originally Posted by kickercivic1
Dont even think about panasonic. Mp3 plays,but takes time and its wont read cd if you even have small scratch.
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Rep Power: 0 Alpine.. trust me. Get the one without the slider though. Good quality stuff. You'll like it. Better than any of the others im sure. Well maybe the pioneer. That would be my second choice. The alpine owns. I'm talking in choppy sentences. Damn. Okay. I'm out. Peace. 
By the way, i've owned sony, clarion, and alpine. Alpine hands down. I'm currently running the CDE-9845. Clean.
By the way, i've owned sony, clarion, and alpine. Alpine hands down. I'm currently running the CDE-9845. Clean.
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jjdawg - Can you explain the slider? I see that it looks different, but I have no clue how it works. Thanks.
jjdawg - Can you explain the slider? I see that it looks different, but I have no clue how it works. Thanks.
Last edited by BassKadett; Apr 19, 2005 at 09:21 AM.
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Rep Power: 262 I currently have an Alpine 7874, and my 9853 is arriving today. I will probably have it installed tomorrow, I will let you know how it turns out. I have been happy with the Alpine I currently have, its just lower end. My toss-up was between the 9853 and the Clarion 845, but I have to stay true to Alpine--they have been good to me.
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Rep Power: 262 Thanks, those spong monkeys are the ****, if memory serves me correctly there was a Fraggle named Boober from Fraggle Rock. That little bastard might be the next one.
