help me pick THE BEST HU

[expo5.0]

I've decided i want to step up my signal quality in my truck. I'm going to be replacing my clarion vs715 dvd/cd reader and eclipse 21000 equalizer combo with a hu and a stand alone slave type dvd player.

So what i need-

-awesome preouts
-great internal equalization
-great looks
-overall ownership of anything (awe factor)

and obviously i need an input for the signal from my video/audio switcher so i can play the signal from one of my sources (ps2, stand alone dvd, back up camera, through the hu) but its not like any of these dont have an input... lol

Here is what i'm looking at in the order of my preference at this moment.

blaupunkt san francisco mp72

http://www.blaupunktusa.com/BlaupunktUSA/Products/ReceiversChangers/Skyline/San+Francisco+CD72.htm

with that i would also run a dvd-me1 slave dvd player also from blaupunkt.

Clarion dxz945mp


http://clarion.com/usa/product/index.php?mod=details&category=proaudio&product=DXZ945MP

with that i'd probably use a myron and davis stand alone dvd.


Alpine cda-7897 or 7998

alpine-usa.com (you can't direct link to them)

Pioneer premier 940mp or newer (where are the new ones?)

http://pioneerelectronics.com/pna/p...B,00.html?compName=PNA_ProductDetailComponent

Help me out here, which would you get? Which would you be most impressed with?

 

[mhn3773]

Clarion..nuff said =)

 

[ShadowA2J]

I would go with none of them. If you want the best, go with Eclipse. Awesome EQ, 8 volt preouts, they may not look as sweet as the other ones, but it will sound better.

http://www.eclipse-web.com/index_cd.html

 

[expo5.0]

that was supposed to be on the list-

the 8053

and i don't have the link right now, sorry about that, and thanks for pointing it out

 

[BBQ_HotDogs]

Well since I am in the same boat as you, I jsut went with the Alpine 7998. It has some great reviews on it and is suppose to be top of the line. I can't back it up yet till I get mine up and running.

Ronnie

 

[expo5.0]

your system will sound amazing with that hu (as it would with any hu- lol) it will make it hard to really determine just how much of it comes from the hu ya know?

however, that one is a definite option of mine, the only problem is that its so expensive i should probably just go with the 7996 so i can play dvd's on it too rather than needing the external dvd.

 

[BBQ_HotDogs]

I am using that HU cause I have the cell phone and acc to go with it. If you don't need the cell phone and stuff, why not go with the Alpine model ##15. It is just below the 2 you mentioned and actually has more features, less cell phone use. I think it is the 9815 but not sure. I then got the 7505 DVD player and will connect them all togeather. The thing about the 7998 is that it requires amps. No amp, no sound. period. It is definately up there with the best of em.

HD

 

[HotCtyPlaya]

Pioneer period...nuff said....everyone else is a blow hard....

 

[expo5.0]

amp are one thing i have plety of

i definitely won't be using the internal amp from any of them

the 7897 is a possibility with alpine too


why would you say pioneer like they are way better than the rest?

maybe the 900 series one is, but the rest of the pioneers are pretty average, i've had 700, 600, and installed 400 series all in the last 3 years. i just got them since they are cheap

 

[mhn3773]

clarion!!!!!!!!!!! =) it will fit the best with the glass and paint that is to come

 

[west2100]

I say the Eclipse 8053. I have the 8996, and its an excellent unit, I couldn't really ask for more. But the 8053 kicks a couple of the outputs up to 16 volt, which blows anything else out of the water. If I could do it again I'd fork over the extra $100 and go with the 8053.

 

[03ExplorerSPT]

I vote for the Pioneer. I love my Pioneer and will be buying a new one this summer. No problems at all.

 

[terdrocket]

I have the old Alpine 7949 head unit connected Ai Net to the ERA - G320 processor. (Still running strong from 1997 )
-This is pretty much the same set up the 7998 gives you, but in one package. You can't go wrong with the digital time correction and the 5 band parametric EQ.
The top Clarion has the Pro Logic decoding in it, which is pretty sweet.
The top Eclipse looks real nice.
If Pioneer still sells the DEX-PR1(I think), that is a great unit.
If you are leaning towards a unit with no frills, just good quality, I say look at McIntosh too.

choices choices

 

[expo5.0]

the clarion processor is fricking awesome-

got a link to mcintosh? can't find their real site

 

[leenjen]

the eclipse 8053 was from last year. it has been replaced with the 8454. a nicer display, mp3 capability, and memory stick.

the alpine 7897 is discontinued (and about time). it was dated two years ago. last years 9815 was ten times better than the 7897. if that's what you choose, you can probably pick one up pretty cheap.

a GREAT choice for an in dash dvd player with 7" touch screen is the alpine IVA-D300. it is the best touch screen i have ever used. it wont be released unitl april, but is well worth the wait. and suggested retail is only $1500

 

[expo5.0]

leenjen, i know you haven't been around for a while.

just fyi- i have an 11" lcd in the dash, so i don't want a screen to go along with this.

Have you seen the clarion in person? or used the self eq function on the blaupunkt or pioneer in a vehicle?

 

[Indifference126]

Im running the 7998 and its got enough features for ANYONE... id recommend the 9815 thought as its the same thing pretty much but the newer model and the dispaly is different (better imo)

or if you can get an external EQ id strongly suggest the rockford platinum2000.. those things are SEXY

 

[expo5.0]

i can definitely get an external eq- i'd just rather make my center console as simple as possible/as clean as possible when i build it. I'd be happiest with no more stuff in my signal path.

also, for those of you that don't know

the signal will be going to an audiocontrol epic160, then audiocontrol 3xs on its way to two 502 mtx amps for the two sets of 3-way abc6003q audiobahn components. and to a 1501d then on to two 15" 9500 mtx subs.

 

[Fhantazm]

I vote for the Clarion. I have had just about every make of headunit and have found the Clarion to have the best upgradability (DSP, EQ, TV Tuner, etc) as well as the cleanest sound. The other units sounded very, well "digital". Meaning there was a lot of digital harshnessto them. I have found that with the Clarion units the sound is more open and more natrual, if you will. If I had to pick a second, I would go with the Alpine, and third the Eclipse.

 

[expo5.0]

i am still trying to find a reason not to get the clarion more so than anything else. It really seems like the best choice.

I don't know whats left to add to it... i've already got everything i guess other than a cd changer and maybe an eq (but i have one now i just want to ditch it)