MP3 compatable CD player & mounting bracket?

[fixer]

just looking for reccomendations for a CD player that can also play MP3 CDs.

also looking for a mounting bracket that will position the unit at the top of the oversize slot so i can use the space below for switches.

 

[DaninCO]

kenwood mp8017 is an mp3 unit. Its great, i have it and love it. Depends how much u are willing to spend though

 

[aldive]

Take a look at Crutchfield, they offer several MP3 players.

http://www.crutchfield.com/

 

[mrsteve]

Originally posted by aldive
Take a look at Crutchfield, they offer several MP3 players.

http://www.crutchfield.com/

Take a look a crutchfield to see what MP3 players are out there but then try to find another place online that sells the same product. Crutchfield is very expensive and you can usually find other deals online for as much as half off what crutchfield was selling it for.

I second the reccomendation of the Kenwood unit. Right now it seems to be the best MP3 reciever out there.

Steve

 

[DaninCO]

crutchfield is usually the most expensive place online, try other sites, like the ones listen in the thread "inexpensive audio".

 

[DaninCO]

wo, mrsteve, we must have wrote that at the exact same time.

 

[fixer]

YEOWCH! yeah... Crutchfield is just a *bit* steep (they say the "list" price is $700+), but a quick google search shows that some vendors carry it for about $250-$275 which is acceptable, but a little more than i really want to spend.

any reccomendations for something a step below that? perhaps in the $150 to $200 range?

i'll probably be buying after the end of the year, and i'm sure prices and models will change between now and then. i'm not looking for a huge system and don't expect to add an amp or any new speakers, but i'm tired of cassettes and MP3 CDs would be nice for long road trips.

 

[DaninCO]

yea, i would still recomend the kenwood. for 50$ more its worth it, i donno any other mp3 players that are real good, the aiwa ones arent supposed to be that good. I donno, remember though, specially with the mp3 players, that u get what u pay for

 

[leenjen]

Since you are not planning on adding any amps/subs/components, the Kenwood is definately your best choice. if you wanted a bigger system, i would recommend something with another set of preamp outputs and a higher preamp output voltage (the Kenwood only has 2 sets and the voltage is only 1.8v). but since you wont need the RCA outputs, the Kenwood will be perfect.

 

[mrsteve]

A quality CD headunit will run you at least $200. And MP3 headunits are brand new so a quality MP3 unit is gonna be even more. $250 is a great price for that unit. Also if you are not gonna buy till after the end of the year. Don't waste you time looking now. I bet by next Jan-Feb there will be at least 5 more models out.

Steve

 

[EO]

I couldn't wait and decided on the JVC KD-SH99. I ordered it for about $320 from onlinecarstereo.com (good prices, reliable ordering/delivery, free shipping on orders > $99).

No offense to any of the Kenwood people (I installed a KW [non mp3] unit in wife's car), but I went with the JVC because the Kenwood MP3 unit seemed flimsy. When I pushed the buttons, the whole faceplate bowed and flexed. For as much as I dink with my radio, I figured this would annoy me after a while. Of course there are a number of other reasons too (4V outs which seems good, sub outs, ability to turn off internal amp, supposedly faster MP3 access, a real volume knob, included remote control, etc). I spent time on highwaymp3.com and read a lot of the message board entries for the Kenwood and the JVC, and I felt better about the JVC.

I know I complained earlier about the aluminum finish of the JVC, but I wasn't going to let the finish stop me from getting what I think is a good unit. I did a test-fit tonight in the dash and I must say it looks pretty cool; a stark contrast against the mostly-black Explorer dash.

I used the Metra install kit from short-Circuit City. I'm mounting it upside-down so the CD player is on top and the (useless) slot is on the bottom. I supposed you could put some small switches in the slot, but you'd have to fashion some sort of faceplate - probably not a simple drop-in.

I'm in process of a complete install this weekend (all power/signal/RCA wiring, plus MTX 4244 amp, also from onlinecarstereo.com), so I actually haven't even turned it on yet. :-( I will post my impressions and some install pics in a few days.

 

[leenjen]

for some reason a lot of people dont like JVC, but i think some of their headunits are great. the one you mentioned is one of them. being able to control the subwoofer(s) seperately is convenient. if you ever have a baby in the car or someone who cant handle a lot of bass, you can easily turn it down or completely off without affecting the other speakers.

 

[Sean Park]

I'll be working the rest of the weekend on putting in a new Kenwood Z828, MTX Pro400X5 amp (where the factory sub now is), Boston Pro separates, and a Kicker Solobaric 15" sub.

I'll see if I can take some digital pics during the process. The 828 is a really nice unit. I haven't been impressed by Kenwood in years past, but this unit really impressed my because:

A) It plays MP3's (duh)
B) It has a low impedance output stage
C) The remote has a full numeric keypad and allows direct track access which is nice when you don't want to "skip over" to song 101
D) It's not as ugly as some of the other players on the market
E) It's upgradable for satellite audio

In the meantime, it's off to get some more cables...

SP

 

[Carver]

Ditto on the Kenwood Z828, Had mine in for a month now and it sounds great, even on the the built in amp. I had my whole system stolen and temp hooked up the Z828 to my speakers (Infinity components in front, and Kicker components in back) while shopping for amps.

Even without a sub it sounds pretty good. With it's excellent adjustabilty and full range of features, it is worth the extra cost. Tomorrow I will have the new Kenwood Excelon amps hook up with my Infinity 10.1 Perfect series sub in a Q-logic box mounted where the rear side storage pouch used to be.