aldive
Elite In Memoriam
- Joined
- January 17, 2001
- Messages
- 24,667
- Reaction score
- 28
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1999 XLT
When my 7 year old JVC MP3/CD HU ( KD-SH99 ) played it last note, I had to quickly find a suitable replacement. My main criteria were good sound quality, MP3 playback, preamp outputs and a direct iPod connection. After a somewhat through search for a new HU, I settled upon the Alpine CDA-9883 ( http://www.crutchfield.com/S-SleDsxFRoQg/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?i=500CDA9883 ); it meet my goals and much more.
The install, after soldering and heat shrinking the adapter harness to the supplied Alpine harness, took all of10 minutes.
At first startup, the truck was filled sound unlike before. The initial sound was amazing to me ( and it was on FM to boot ).
The Alpine iPod cable (KCE-422i, a $29.00 value [ http://www.crutchfield.com/S-ariRZDfLrou/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=500KCE422I ] ), was included ( no charge ) with the CDA-9883. This cable plugs into a pigtail on the rear of the HU and then into the iPod.
I am playing the HU trough MTX component speakers in the front as well as Pioneer 6x8 coaxial door speakers in the rear. A Lightning Audio 50 W/ch amp is used to power the front speakers. Note: I disconnected the amp and played the HU with only its internal power ( 18 watts RMS ) and could hardly tell any difference.
This CDA-9883 has a plethora of features, many of which I will never need or use. Its features include:
General features:
» CD receiver with built-in amplifier (18 watts RMS/50 peak x 4 channels)
» plays CDs, CD-Rs, and CD-RW discs, including discs loaded with MP3, WMA, and AAC music files (except Digital Rights-protected files)
» fold-down, detachable face
» optional remote control
Audio features:
» Bass Engine (bass center frequency, width, and level, plus treble center frequency and level adjustments)
» high-pass filter
Expandability:
» Full Speed iPod controls (requires Alpine's interface cable, $29.99) with percentage search — each of the six radio preset buttons jumps over a designated percentage (0, 17, 33, 50, 67, or 83 percent) of your playlist
» Bluetooth ready
» satellite radio ready
» compatible with Alpine's HD Radio tuner
» optional auxiliary input
» CD changer controls
» three sets of 2-volt preamp outputs (subwoofer output has bass level control and a low-pass filter)
Other features and specs:
» CEA-2006 compliant amplifier
» seek tuning
» clock
» CD frequency response: 5-20,000 Hz
» CD signal-to-noise ratio: 105 dB
» FM sensitivity: 9.3 dBf
» warranty: 1 year
The included user’s guide is comprehensive and fairly easy to follow.
Alpine's Bass Engine® feature lets one adjust the center points of the treble and bass controls so you can really shape your tone
The CDA-9883 plays conventional CDs as well as CDs loaded with MP3 music exceptionally well and the controls are easy to use. The flip down face plate helps prevent dust and other debris out of the CD slot.
The FM capability is vastly superior to what I was used to. The HU now finds and locks onto FM stations that my previous HU could never find or play.
Using an iPod with this HU is a snap. After hooking the iPod to the cable and turning the iPod on, the HU now controls the functions of the iPod.
The CDA-9882 can be used with Sirius satellite radio ( $120.00 [ http://www.crutchfield.com/S-SleDsxFRoQg/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=700SIRALPC ] ), Bluetooth (KCE-300BT, a $200.00 option [ http://www.crutchfield.com/S-SleDsxFRoQg/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=500KCE3008 ] ), HD radio (TUA-T500HD, a $200.00 option [ http://www.crutchfield.com/S-SleDsxFRoQg/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=500TUAT500 ] ) and has optional auxiliary input (KCA-121B, a $16.00 option [ http://www.crutchfield.com/S-SleDsxFRoQg/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=500KCA121B ] ) and USB input (KCA-620M, a $150.00 option [ http://www.crutchfield.com/S-SleDsx...w.asp?search=alpine+usb++adapter&i=500KCA620M ] ). A 6 disc CD changer (CHA-S634 ) is also available for $300.00 ( http://www.crutchfield.com/S-SleDsxFRoQg/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=500CHAS634 ) . A multichanel signal processor ( PXA-H701 ) is also available for $500.00 (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-SleDsxFRoQg/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=500PXAH701 ). Adaptors are also available to hook the HU to existing steering wheel controls ( $70.00 [ http://www.crutchfield.com/S-SleDsxFRoQg/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=127SWIJACK ] ).
This HU’s black color blends in with the Explorer’s interior much better than did the silver face of my previous HU.
In spite of all its plus features, I did find some annoying ones. At night, the blue function buttons are way to bright for my liking ( too bad they cannot be dimmed independently of the other controls and screen ). No remote comes with the package; however, thankfully the Alpine RUE-4202 remote (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-SleDsxFRoQg/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=500RUE4202 ) is available for $20.00. The HU’s control buttons are diminutive and would better serve most users if they were bigger. The visibility of the display screen is marginalized in bright sunlight. Finally, the iPod control could be improved in my opinion.
Since I have only used this HU a few days, I am sure I will find more likes and dislikes in the future. Nevertheless, all in all, for a $200.00 HU, the Alpine CDA-9883 is a marvelous feature packed unit and definitely suits my needs.
I recommend this model to anyone seeking a new HU in this price range.
The install, after soldering and heat shrinking the adapter harness to the supplied Alpine harness, took all of10 minutes.
At first startup, the truck was filled sound unlike before. The initial sound was amazing to me ( and it was on FM to boot ).
The Alpine iPod cable (KCE-422i, a $29.00 value [ http://www.crutchfield.com/S-ariRZDfLrou/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=500KCE422I ] ), was included ( no charge ) with the CDA-9883. This cable plugs into a pigtail on the rear of the HU and then into the iPod.
I am playing the HU trough MTX component speakers in the front as well as Pioneer 6x8 coaxial door speakers in the rear. A Lightning Audio 50 W/ch amp is used to power the front speakers. Note: I disconnected the amp and played the HU with only its internal power ( 18 watts RMS ) and could hardly tell any difference.
This CDA-9883 has a plethora of features, many of which I will never need or use. Its features include:
General features:
» CD receiver with built-in amplifier (18 watts RMS/50 peak x 4 channels)
» plays CDs, CD-Rs, and CD-RW discs, including discs loaded with MP3, WMA, and AAC music files (except Digital Rights-protected files)
» fold-down, detachable face
» optional remote control
Audio features:
» Bass Engine (bass center frequency, width, and level, plus treble center frequency and level adjustments)
» high-pass filter
Expandability:
» Full Speed iPod controls (requires Alpine's interface cable, $29.99) with percentage search — each of the six radio preset buttons jumps over a designated percentage (0, 17, 33, 50, 67, or 83 percent) of your playlist
» Bluetooth ready
» satellite radio ready
» compatible with Alpine's HD Radio tuner
» optional auxiliary input
» CD changer controls
» three sets of 2-volt preamp outputs (subwoofer output has bass level control and a low-pass filter)
Other features and specs:
» CEA-2006 compliant amplifier
» seek tuning
» clock
» CD frequency response: 5-20,000 Hz
» CD signal-to-noise ratio: 105 dB
» FM sensitivity: 9.3 dBf
» warranty: 1 year
The included user’s guide is comprehensive and fairly easy to follow.
Alpine's Bass Engine® feature lets one adjust the center points of the treble and bass controls so you can really shape your tone
The CDA-9883 plays conventional CDs as well as CDs loaded with MP3 music exceptionally well and the controls are easy to use. The flip down face plate helps prevent dust and other debris out of the CD slot.
The FM capability is vastly superior to what I was used to. The HU now finds and locks onto FM stations that my previous HU could never find or play.
Using an iPod with this HU is a snap. After hooking the iPod to the cable and turning the iPod on, the HU now controls the functions of the iPod.
The CDA-9882 can be used with Sirius satellite radio ( $120.00 [ http://www.crutchfield.com/S-SleDsxFRoQg/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=700SIRALPC ] ), Bluetooth (KCE-300BT, a $200.00 option [ http://www.crutchfield.com/S-SleDsxFRoQg/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=500KCE3008 ] ), HD radio (TUA-T500HD, a $200.00 option [ http://www.crutchfield.com/S-SleDsxFRoQg/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=500TUAT500 ] ) and has optional auxiliary input (KCA-121B, a $16.00 option [ http://www.crutchfield.com/S-SleDsxFRoQg/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=500KCA121B ] ) and USB input (KCA-620M, a $150.00 option [ http://www.crutchfield.com/S-SleDsx...w.asp?search=alpine+usb++adapter&i=500KCA620M ] ). A 6 disc CD changer (CHA-S634 ) is also available for $300.00 ( http://www.crutchfield.com/S-SleDsxFRoQg/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=500CHAS634 ) . A multichanel signal processor ( PXA-H701 ) is also available for $500.00 (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-SleDsxFRoQg/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=500PXAH701 ). Adaptors are also available to hook the HU to existing steering wheel controls ( $70.00 [ http://www.crutchfield.com/S-SleDsxFRoQg/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=127SWIJACK ] ).
This HU’s black color blends in with the Explorer’s interior much better than did the silver face of my previous HU.
In spite of all its plus features, I did find some annoying ones. At night, the blue function buttons are way to bright for my liking ( too bad they cannot be dimmed independently of the other controls and screen ). No remote comes with the package; however, thankfully the Alpine RUE-4202 remote (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-SleDsxFRoQg/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=500RUE4202 ) is available for $20.00. The HU’s control buttons are diminutive and would better serve most users if they were bigger. The visibility of the display screen is marginalized in bright sunlight. Finally, the iPod control could be improved in my opinion.
Since I have only used this HU a few days, I am sure I will find more likes and dislikes in the future. Nevertheless, all in all, for a $200.00 HU, the Alpine CDA-9883 is a marvelous feature packed unit and definitely suits my needs.
I recommend this model to anyone seeking a new HU in this price range.
