New Headunit needed!!

[jenk]

Theres too many options out there for a new headunit so im seeking advice

Basically i need good SQ and ipod connectivity, not interested in fancy screens or flashy lights. Dont want to spend stupid amounts, about £200 ish.

Anyhelp would be great, cheers

PS - If you want to hear what will be abusing this new head unit download my mix, you will find the link in my sig (right click, save as)

 

[lard44]

I've got an Alpine CDA 9885 - that's not much over £200 smackers if you shop around, and just get the Alpine cable for direct Ipod connectivity.

I'm a big Alpine fan although Becker are also excellent, JVC ain't too shabby. Personally would steer clear of Kenwood and Sony meself.

 

[jenk]

My previous one was alpine, great bit of kit and still going strong in my old car.

I was looking at that one you have earlier, £220 from the local bassjunkies. Looks decent!

Cheers for the info

Anyone else??

 

[UncleFester]

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/alp...1.html?cadid=e2830073fba65922371129a949f8c2fc if you're after dedicated ipod ...... becker however are lovely, a bit 'boring' in that they look very OEM but maybe that's the point?

Some cracking priced JVC units around at the moment although they are a bit gaudy.

 

[alx_chung]

I previously had an Alpine CDE-9850Ri with iPod connection in my old car and that was a pretty decent bit of kit. Very easy to use and had the iPod connection routed to my glove box.
Alex
p.s. a bit off topic but its for sale if anyone is interested in it.

 

[jenk]

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/alp...1.html?cadid=e2830073fba65922371129a949f8c2fc if you're after dedicated ipod ...... becker however are lovely, a bit 'boring' in that they look very OEM but maybe that's the point?

Some cracking priced JVC units around at the moment although they are a bit gaudy.

Had a gander at that in halfords, the nob in the middle is huge!! Plus i could do with a CD function.

Never heard of Becker before, as you say they look boring. No detachable faceplate from what i can see.

Hows pioneer stuff? They make all the best DJ gear

 

[UncleFester]

Pioneer used to be excellent kit, not sure about the newer stuff ... the last i had was a 77MP which sounded gorgeous.

In the old days, Alpine were a very flat but clean sound. Kenwood were always a little muddy sounding, pioneer had a much sharper sound and JVC were not even around. Panasonic make excellent value stuff but the sound isn't as good as JVC - too many toys interfering with the SQ. Sony ... never liked them and still don't.

Becker are today what Nakimichi was back then, i'd have given my left nut for a Nakamichi deck back then However this was all a LONG time before MP3 etc.

 

[jenk]

You certainly know you stuff Mr Fester!

You think im safe with alpine then? or even JVC. This head unit needs to exploit trance music's multitude of noise's and boom boom.

Tbh JVC would have never crossed my mind

 

[mrcoyote]

Never heard of Becker before, as you say they look boring. No detachable faceplate from what i can see.

They are detachable, but it's not immediately obvious how to do it. And they may look boring, but they don't half sound good.

 

[UncleFester]

You certainly know you stuff Mr Fester!

You think im safe with alpine then? or even JVC. This head unit needs to exploit trance music's multitude of noise's and boom boom.

Tbh JVC would have never crossed my mind

I think you should burn a cd of your favourite music, all at flat 320kbs and go try some different units out. That's what i'd do - it's the only way to work out which ones you like the sound of. Also make sure you listen to them on the same speakers in one shop then go and try the same units with different speakers at another shop. Then take the same CD and try in a few mates cars to see what it sounds like by comparison.

Personally i don't think you'd go far wrong with Alpine or Becker for sheer SQ, for features - i'm still happy with the JVC AVX1 even if it is a little bulky and blue for the Leons illumination.

edit: and my 'knowledge' is probably old hat now - still don't think you can beat going into a shop and spending some time listening to a wide range of units though. Also make sure you set the EQ flat when you listen, try and gauge the natural sound of the unit first.

 

[jenk]

They are detachable, but it's not immediately obvious how to do it. And they may look boring, but they don't half sound good.

Not many places seem to sell it

http://www.caraudiodiscount.com/acatalog/becker_cd.html

 

[jenk]

I think you should burn a cd of your favourite music, all at flat 320kbs and go try some different units out. That's what i'd do - it's the only way to work out which ones you like the sound of. Also make sure you listen to them on the same speakers in one shop then go and try the same units with different speakers at another shop. Then take the same CD and try in a few mates cars to see what it sounds like by comparison.

Personally i don't think you'd go far wrong with Alpine or Becker for sheer SQ, for features - i'm still happy with the JVC AVX1 even if it is a little bulky and blue for the Leons illumination.

edit: and my 'knowledge' is probably old hat now - still don't think you can beat going into a shop and spending some time listening to a wide range of units though. Also make sure you set the EQ flat when you listen, try and gauge the natural sound of the unit first.

Thats good advice, cheers mate

 

[mrcoyote]

Not many places seem to sell it

http://www.caraudiodiscount.com/acatalog/becker_cd.html

True, but i got mine from here - http://www.gpssite.co.uk/p/Becker-Grand-Prix-7992/Becker-Grand-Prix-7992.asp

 

[jenk]

True, but i got mine from here - http://www.gpssite.co.uk/p/Becker-Grand-Prix-7992/Becker-Grand-Prix-7992.asp

Looks interesting!

After looking on another site, isnt the pod lead £100

 

[mrcoyote]

There was a Denison Icelink going cheap in the for sale section which I'm told fits. (I didn't check when I took mine out).

 

[jenk]

Just had a gander on Bassjunkies (only down the road) and stumbled across this http://www.bassjunkies.com/?pid=320...type=quick&search_word=CDA+9885&source=search

Any good?


Or is it worth stumping up the coin for this

http://www.bassjunkies.com/?pid=329...type=quick&search_word=CDA+9885&source=search

 

[jenk]

Anyone???

 

[jenk]

The standard ones hurting my ears....Help!!!!

 

[lard44]

There's not a lot in it tbh - the 9885 has, I think, got more flexible eqs and a more elaborate display (the pic on the website is wrong) AND 4 volt pre-outs which were really handy for me setting up my amps and subs- but if you're sticking with standard speakers etc. I'd save my money and go for the cheaper one.

However as I always say I'm biased - I like Fester's idea of walking into a Halfrauds, listening to a batch with the same CD and speakers, making a note of the ones you like and pricing them online! They will come out a LOT cheaper - were talking hundreds of quid in some cases...

 

[jenk]

There's not a lot in it tbh - the 9885 has, I think, got more flexible eqs and a more elaborate display (the pic on the website is wrong) AND 4 volt pre-outs which were really handy for me setting up my amps and subs- but if you're sticking with standard speakers etc. I'd save my money and go for the cheaper one.

However as I always say I'm biased - I like Fester's idea of walking into a Halfrauds, listening to a batch with the same CD and speakers, making a note of the ones you like and pricing them online! They will come out a LOT cheaper - were talking hundreds of quid in some cases...

Hellfrauds are mega expensive, would never by from there......good for taking a look see though. Im set on an alpine unit, from personal experience and recomendations.
I brought the car with Alpine type E speakers all round, components in the front and 2 ways in the rear. Already swapped the rears for a set of JBL 2 ways and the fronts will be changed for some JBL components. Also got a cheap sub and amp but ill upgrade that in the near future. Worth the more expensive one then?