Been trying to do some research on what head unit to buy, and not many threads here have addressed my questions/concerns. I definitely want MP3 decoding capability for my burned CDs but there seems to be a large variety of choices out there. I've looked at many models but other than brand, and some superficial "extras", there doesn't appear to be any reason why one might be priced higher than another. One thing I had asked about in another thread was Alpine's ability to browse/select an MP3 off a CD while another one is still playing - and not forcing the current song to stop in order to pick a new one. Is this a unique feature? If not, what other brands have it?

Overall, what do most people have/recommend and why?

thanks

--D

 

i have the alpine cda-7894... i personally love this unit.. it has some nice features.. pretty good sound quality and was not prices that high... but ultimately the decision is up to you.. what are you looking from in a headunit... does it sound good to you... do you like the way the user options and display are set up... as long as you go with any of the big names... alpine, eclipse, kenwood, pioneer... etc... then you should be fine...

 

I would probably rank my preferences in an mp3 head unit as:

1) Ease of file navigation (quickest user input and well laid-out / easy to see menus/text.
2) Time between loading files
3) Appearance

Sound quality isn't much of an issue because I only have the stock amp/speakers at the moment... and whatever I end up getting will probably be an apline/eclipse/etc that has reliable SQ anyway.

thanks!

 

Quick question that I didn't find a definitive answer for w/ search.

Decided to go with Alpine HU, although not certain which model yet. 9815, 7897, etc.

I was pricing the install at a local dealer and was informed I would be required to purchase a "Bose Adapter" for $99 so the new HU can use the existing wires/amp.

Is this true? And if so... does that price seem high? Where can I get it cheaper?

thanks,

--D

 

The price does seem high... and just to let you know, we've had bad luck with them.... I'm not sure what everyone else says about them here, but as of 3 years ago, we've almost refused to sell them.... Maybe our piece is just inferior, but who knows....

The 9815 is an incredible deck, but the VDrive may be a little much if you don't decide to bypass the factory amp...

I'm a bit drunk if none of that made any sense....

 

So then the adapter is required? What models are available?

And when you say the VDrive in the 9815 might be a little much... do you mean unrealized potential? or possibly too much power for the stock wires/amp/speakers which can cause problems?

I spoke with the service guy at the dealer who said putting this in would be no problem.... even said the SQ of the remaining stock system would improve as well. But he didn't know about the adapter...

At some point I will most likely replace the amp, the speakers, etc
so I don't want to get a sub-par HU... hence the 9815/7897 options. But for now I just want my MP3 collection on CDs to be useful on the road.

thanks--

 

I was looking into this stuff for a while before I put my stereo in. I talked to a bunch of people about the adapter, and the general opinion was that it is a bad idea. There is a 50/50 chance you will have distortion and crackling in your speakers, and even if that doesn't happen, the sound quality will be poor.

I would suggest replacing the speakers and the wiring when you put in the head unit.

I have only heard bad things about the adapter. No personal experience with it though...maybe someone here has used it and disagrees with me?

 

The adapter lowers the output of the radio because the signal still has to go through a amplifier. If you send a stronger signal through the factory amp, it can be dangerous because of heat, and it can also lead to less control on the stereo. If you amplify and a signal with a level 5, by 3 you'd have 15. but if you do it with a stereo that puts out a level 10, you'd have 30 (and I made those numbers up, but you get the idea). VDrive raises the voltage level in the deck, to create more power, and that may not sound good with the adapter, but it will sound better once the amp is bypassed and the speakers are replaced....