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hey guys, thinking of getting one finally...
3 choices are the KEnwood KDC-X859, the Alpine CDA-7894, or the Pioneer DEH-P7400MP...
anyone who has one of these please let me know what ya think, and please everyone lgive me some suggestions as to which is best, price between these 3 doesnt matter, but i dont wanna spend more than what these cost ($500), thanks!

 
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pssst, I tracked down a CDa-7998 for $500, try for it.

 
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i personally like pioneer. i have pioneer preimer deh-840mp GREAT headunit. paid 365 shipped

 
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hey civicvtec, i've seen yer ride pics before! lol i loved how your interior looks, that pioneer was only $365???? wow, i thought it would be alot more since it looks so good. how is the mp3 reading on it? i have heard that they take long to load songs and such, especially when set to random. is it true? or is it just like a regular cd when you set it to random? what i mean is is there a very long time between each song that plays? and how is it looking thru the folders and filenames ? is it annoying or easy? i appreciate any info you have, thanks!

 
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first of all very ez to use. i havent notice any long load . i havent set to random so i dont know abotu that . overall very easy to use. also during day display is fine after i chagned brightness of display. i paid 345+ SHIPPING. off ebay. PM if you want seller of this headuint great seller . item was brand new factory. and 345 was cheapest price i could find.

 
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do not get pioneer 740mp if u want to use mainly for mp3s. its sooo annoying. the lag time is ridics and takes forever to scroll through songs.

 
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i got a kenwood mpv619 (not the excelon) for $250 including dash kit and wire harness.

 
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i have the alpine cda-7894 $385 i think in my opinion works really great i recommend this headunit. no lag when loading songs works good as a regular cd. the sound, sounds good with stock speakers almost like a system. thats what i think.

 
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so far it looks like it's between the alpine 7894 and the pioneer 8400...
nobody has or likes the kenwood 859???
i forgot to let you guys know the reason why i am looking at those specific models, it's because i prefer a stereo that has a rotary **** for the volume, i hate that up/down button crap! lol

 
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I own the Alpine CDA - 7894, I purchased it over the Pioneer DEH-P7400MP and the Pioneer DEH-P8400MP. It has all the same features, adds time correction, has scrolling text for mp3's and cd's which pioneer has yet to do. I have owned 5 high end pioneer decks in the last 4 years and this is my first Alpine product to which I can say I am very pleased. As far as "lag-time" I find it to be the same with the cd as mp3. As far as price, I'm in good with the mgr. of the shop I go to and got it for $340.oo. I'm sorry I don't do Kenwood so I can't help you as far as comparing it to the Alpine or the Pioneer.

 
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the Pioneer DEH740 has lag????????????????

i thought it was pretty good considering so many people recommend it.

mmmm.

 
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i know people are gonna hate on the jvc, but i went out and tested a LOT of mp3 players over a year ago when they were still mad expensive, and i got the JVC KD-SH99 i think it was replaced by the KD 909 or something like that (same unit, diff display) and the time between tracks is VERY VERY short... even if the CD is scratched to all hell, i still only get a max of 2 seconds between tracks... plus it supports all the file types (Joliet, ISO9660 type 1 and 2) but that only matters to you if youre a computer nerd =) ... it has the same features as all the rest, and its brushed aluminum face = pretty

 
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so wait, the pionerr 8400 doesnt have scrolling text???
isnt that annoying? or does it have it and i should stop worrying and ge the pioneer already?

i decided on the pioneer, i like everything about it, especially the slide down face to show the second display...

anyone have any suggestions on where to get a wiring harness and installation kit?

CivicVtec, where did ya get yours? it looks perfect in the dash!

 
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crap, i just realized, i'm looking for an installation kit that will let me keep the door to the compartment under the stereo, i dont want that open space showing...
is this impossible??????

 
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i got cd player off ebay for 345, + shipping and
wire harness and installation bracket at bestbuy for 15.99 each
wire harness- metra
bracket-american internaional i belive,,

 
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I have the Alpine CDA 7894. I have found the SQ to be downright amazing even with the stock speakers. You will be impressed with alpines accuracy and clarity.

Mp3s are a joy to play on the unit. The name of the song and band (whatever you choose for the tag) can be shown as well as the bitrate it was converted at. I have found mp3 disc to load very quickly and the delay between songs to be minimal. You won't even notice the difference over a regular cd unless you listen for it.

The unit also has time correction, control for a sub level, and all kinds of stuff to adjust the bass and treble but I am not familiar with what they are called. They adjust the frequencies that are played or emphasized or something...

Unit's optional amber color matches the rest of the interior lights imo. YOu can also leave it at the normal green alpine color.

Plus, 3, 4-volt preouts.

Comes w/ a remote and is nice to use because you don't have to take your eyes off the road to do anything hardly.

The bad: the motorized face, I don't think they are nearly as reliable as a pass-through face but haven't had any problems. The face gets washed out during the day so it is hard to see. You can see it but it is not going to be a quick glance.

I have read on other boards the the JVC Mp3 players are the best as far as delays between songs and loading discs. I haven't used one so I won't offer an opinion. But I don't see how it could be much better than the alpine unit as I haven't noticed the delays people talk about with mp3 players in general.

Lastly, the SQ of the alpine unit is what would make me choose it over the other brands. Read up on some other boards. Most everyone is astonished at the improved SQ over stock AND their previous aftermarket units.

I think kenwood is good as my wife has had a couple of their units (none mp3 though). They are nice but alpine is what I prefer.

EDIT: The internal amp can be disabled on the 7894. I have heard lots of people say ( not necessarily here) that it you can't turn it off. You can and can very easily.