What Headunit are you using

[leenjen]

hey everyone. i need to pick a good headunit for my new system in the explorer.

basically i want to know what headunit you have and what you like about it. and why you picked it.

i really cant decide. i have a couple in mind, but i'm still not sure. i figure this is the best way to decide, user feedback.

thanks

 

[Skippman]

I'm running an Alpine IVA-C800. A little overkill for general use.

I bought it because it has 6.5" retractable monitor and at the time was the only unit of it's kind to sport a built in CD player.

 

[aldive]

I have a JVC KDSH99 MP3 HU.

I like it for the features. Have had it 4 months now and have had no problems.

 

[Explorer94GV]

im running the alpine cva-1003 this also has the 6.5 screen but no cd player. i have enjoyed it so far.

 

[X24]

I think any JVC unit is good. I have the older style Elkamelion. I love it. It has a big display and turns completely black when off. If I were to buy a new unit I would get one that is MP3 compatible.

 

[tbomb]

im running a sony cdx-m620 and i love it. its got so many damn features, but its not confusing, and it has an awesome display.

lee, are you looking at something with mp3 capability? built in monitor? you gonna get a changer as well? etc.

 

[leenjen]

Originally posted by tbomb

lee, are you looking at something with mp3 capability? built in monitor? you gonna get a changer as well? etc.

mp3 isnt really important to me. but if the headunit that i get has mp3 capability, i'll use it.

i dont want a built in monitor, because heat is the enemy of all electronics and my dash gets hot all the time. if i go for video, i'll get a flip down monitor. i dotn plan on getting a changer, but you never know. maybe i'll get one in the future.

basically, i'm looking for performance over style (but i dont want one of the ugly Nakamichi headunits).

 

[Skippman]

You NEED one of these badboys from Alpine. $450 for a top quality Alpine MP3 playing head unit that's XM ready! Hell yeah.

 

[taxx]

Clarion DXZ815MP. Love it. Only down side is that it does not read ID3 tags, just reads the file name.

 

[Explorer94GV]

i second skippman my friend has one of those and it has lots of good easy functional features. The price is a little high $450 but im sure you can find one on ebay cheaper.

 

[Hartman]

Leenjen, we always talk about how good Sony HU's are! I say go for one of them, or possibly a Pioneer.

 

[KEbert]

I have a Pioneer DEH - 7200. I like it. It has everything that I need, and more. I bought it because I got a fairly good deal on it and at the time I could easily afford it. I have yet to see that new 7400 but I have used the 7300 and I think they are great HU's. My next one will be something in the 7000 series.

 

[TarHeel085]

sony 760x

 

[espnfreak]

I have an Alpine 7863 and I absolutely love it!

 

[BT4auBURN]

Mine is a Pioneer DEH-P5200, nothing real big but I love it. It was like $250 then.

 

[Mike 92 XLT]

Well, if you're looking for performance, one of the first things you should look at is the D/A convertor in the CD player. Definitely a minimum or a true 18-bit D/A if not a 20-bit. I have a Denon DCT-950R and love it, although it is obviously not new. It's too bad that you don't like the Nak units or I'd recommend the Nak 45Z: 20-bit Burr-Brown D/A. This is what will anchor my new system. That being said, I'd check out the new Clarion decks. I know a couple of them have 24-bit DACs. McIntosh decks are also awesome, but really pricey.

peace

Mike

 

[Skippman]

Man, are you talking HOME audio or CAR audio? Denon and McIntosh? I've never seen them, but if they exist they're pricey.

I've known both of them for years in the home audio market. They're the names spoken with hushed wispers like Paradigm and Defenitive. As for car audio?

 

[leenjen]

yeah, Denon has great headunits. two of the new models are:

Denon DCT-Z1
24bit Alpha Processing Plus, Copper plated chassis, pure silver braided RCA cables, brushed titanium gray/silver faceplate. 115dB signal to noise on CD's. the Z1 can operate fully balanced, with an Output Voltage of 8V.

The Denon DCT-R1
Black anodized aluminum faceplate. Quality D/A converter, four-channel power(12.5Wx4 at 4Ohms), and this power is defeatable, so you can use an external amp of course. All tone controls on both units are also defeatable. The RCA Pre Output Voltage on the R1 is 3V. Later this spring, the R1 will also be available in an exclusive limited edition version with the brushed titanium face and copper plated chassis

 

[Skippman]

8 volt preamp outputs! That's remarkable. Thought I was doing good with my 4.5's of the Alpine PHA-H510.

 

[C5 Greg]

I currently am running an Alpine H.U. with an Alpine EQ and X-over/ sub controller. I like the flexibility this setup gives me and the SQ is great.

I have used Eclipse in the passed, and liked their product, but would NEVER by again unless a removable faceplate was offered. (mine was stolen)

I would like to try a Clarion next. Their Pro Audio line sounds great, and they are not gimmicky.

I'm not one for flashing multi-colored 3-D faceplates. I'll prefer a high quality unit with awsome SQ over glitz.