Okay, I'm in the market for aftermarket Headunit..only looking at Alpine HU since I haven't heard any complaint about them.. Here's how I narrowed my choices and my budget is $300 (These prices are estimated off ebay including shipping)

1) Alpine CDA-9851 - $230.00
2) Alpine CDA-9853 - $285.00
3) Alpine CDA-9830 - $245.00
4) Alpine CDA-9831 - $320.00

If you have any of these units, please give me some feedbacks. I checked the manufacturer's website but couldn't compare them due to so many unnecessary information they added on there. If it matters, I will be putting Alpine MRV-F545 or MRV-F345 amp, Alpine SPX-137R F speakers and JL audio 12w3v2 with this HU. Do not care for ipod interface. Also I would like to use this headunit thru my steering wheel control. I was told, I would need a converter but do any of these head units already come with that kind of converter built into it?

Once again, I like to stay with Alpine so don't recommend any other brand creating more confusion. Thanks alot!!

p.s. elduderino - I know you recommended 9853.. but any particular reason why?? is this better than others b/c it's new model?? please help

 

These 4 are almost exactly the same. The 51/53 have 2.0 v preamp out vs. 4.0 on the 30/31, and the 53 has bass engine pro signal processor compared to the basic version in the others. Not sure if that makes any real difference.

It seems like the more expensive Alpines have better looking faces, but the nuts and bolts are almost identical.

 

cda-9835 > any on your list

compared to the others, i'd look for one of these, that headunit rocks

 

I don't have any of those models, but I have a 7998 in my car and its been great!

 

I had the 7998, had to get rid of it because it doesn't fit in the s2k..got a new alpine instead.

 

I screwed up. I was looking for the cheapest unit with 6-channel digital time correction...missed the 2V bullet.

Get 4V, get 6Ch Digital Time Correction, and after that, it's moot to me. Bass Engine isn't bad... but not essential.

 

What does that ALL mean??4V 6 Ch Digital Time correction?? explain more .. please

 

4Volt pre-outs is what is needed to hook up an external amplifier. Digital Time correction is a utility that adjusts the sound depending on how far away your ears are from each speaker.

 

my CDA 7995 has those features plus nearly all the ones the new ones have. So what I am saying is look for a 4 volt pre out - I would say ONLY and dont settle for anything less because 4V outputs can be found on some medium priced models and its worth it.

And all the other features - they are cool and all but I dont even use them, and you probably wont either, so just get the one with 4 volt outputs and the one that looks the best to you and you will be all good. You cant go wrong with Alpine headunits

 

YEAH also, I mentioned my budget is $300.00... thanks but ur comment doesn't really help me much..

 

okay... so 9851 and 9850 both have 2 volts according to their site so avoid it?!!!
Just looking at 9831 and 9830, they both have 3 PreOuts(4 volt), and 4-channel Digital Time correction. The ones with 6 channels are WAYYY out of my budget... Looking at 9831 and 9830 specifications, I don't notice ANYTHING different except with 9831 u can use Alpine's i-Personalize feature which i don't know how beneficial it is. Obvisouly their main key buttons are differnt color and screen looks slightly different. Other than that they seem very similar to me.

CDA-9831 : http://iweb.alpine-usa.com/img/asb/cda-9831.gif
CDA-9830 : http://iweb.alpine-usa.com/img/asb/cda-9830.gif

I don't even think they sell 7995, so i'm gonna forgot about that one. So guys, is spending roughly 80 more dollars on 9831 seem worth it to you guys?? Or should I save that and purchase the converter so I can control my aftermarket HU thru my steering wheel?? Suggestion??

 

I have the 9831 with the Ipod link and Sirius and I love it. Really the only differences between the two are looks. The 9831 has 512 colors for the main 4 buttons - the 9830 has 3. The 9831 also has a little bigger display area than the 30 has. I dont have my steering wheel controlls hooked up but- Im not sure I would really use them if I did b/c Im always listening to MP3 Cd's, The Ipod, or Sat radio and to navigate those efficiently you need to use the quick search. I also have a bluetooth handsfree kit hooked up to the auidio interrupt so I don't have to turn it down when answering a phone call. But- if you're going to listen to alot of am/fm or regular cd's and are going to be reaching for a cell phone with one hand and keeping the other on the wheel it would make more sense to go with the steering wheel interface. Im not a big fan of the looks of the 30's display but if you like it I would say go with that.

 

Well i have 10GB Ipod.. but don't find it beneficial to install ipod link since i'll be burning mp3 CD's anyways... as far as the screen yeah..30's looks def smaller but what does 31 display that 30 doesn't??? with 512 colors, can you actualyl match it to our CLS lights?? that would be a sweet feature.. Like i said eariler, I could get 30 and save 80 bucks to buy that converter to use it with my sterring wheel, or go all out and get 31.. what kinda of dash-kit do u have with that?? just metra kit??? can u provide me with some pics if u have 2nd gen TL or CL?? thanks

 

One more thing, hey ou sig,, i got this pic from your setup...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ermetrakit.jpg

He's using a metra kit ... well I'm looking for one that doesn't have that little gap underneath the HU.. I just want a single bin for my aftermarket hu in the middle of it... I think that would give me more clean look.. Where can I get a dash kit like that?

 

you can't, there is only one kit out. and you are lucky to have that. when I got my cl there wasn't a kit at all and I had to whittle my own from a tree in the backyard :killer:

 

well you can always have StreetEffectz make you a custom dash kit

 

I'm using my factory pocket with my 31- I have a first gen CL though so it is completely different from what you have- so no use in posting pics. With the 512 changing colors you can match it pretty well to your interior lights- but like I said it is only the four main buttons- the backlights for the presets and volume knob you only have 2- amber and green. The display doesnt really have much more info unless you plan on getting the amplifier link for a alpine v12 class D amp. If you get the kce-510m you get the amp temp and voltage in the display. The 9830 isn't amlifier link ready. Other than that - you little circle that dances around that the 9830 doesn't offer.

 

Ya only problem is thats the aftermarket kit you can get - other than a custom kit. which can be cheep or real expensive depending on the look that you want. I like the little pocket because I put my remote, wallet, cell phone...there and it doesnt look bad at all in person. (its single DIN)

 

Well I'm planning on getting either F345 or F545 so they are v12 class I don't know if they are D amp. So with either one of these amp connected i need kce-510m in order to display amp temp and voltage?? so 31 has the outlet as an option where as 30 doesn't??? ummmm... doesn't sound like it's worth 80 bucks more for it then.... as far as color.. i guess it wouldn't matter much to me. Thanks

 

From your previous post, you mentioned that you wet sand it and put more layers of black spray paint.... question... what do u mean wet sand it??? how is it different from regular sanding??? thanks in advance

 

Warranty affected if your bought thru ebay?

 

A few of the members here, started with 200Grit sand paper, then used 400 grit, then 800 grit sand paper, and it makes the kit look really close to the OEM plastic.

 

like DI said...but also, they make actual wet sand paper - it is very fine grit 400-800 grit and is made to be used on a wet surface. When you get the kit you will notice that the texture isnt smooth like the stock plastic and the color is slightly off. So get the sand paper and soak it in some water for a few minutes then use it on the kit. use the lowest grit first, then go up to the highest (just like sanding anything else).

once you get the surface all smooth, there will be some fine surface scratches and the color will be kinda off - so get some flat black spray paint and put 2 or 3 coats on, let each dry for at least 1 hour. then it will look 99% just like the stock plastic and match very well.

 

What's the model number for Metra kit that will fit in 2nd generation CL? is it 99-7868?? and where can i purchase it at the cheapest price? thanks

 

this is where I got mine...

http://www.audioonlineoutlet.com/acura.html

But Circuit City and other stores carry Metra also - just the local CC didnt have mine in stock. That price is about what you are going to pay anywhere.