Please Help me Pick my Head Unit
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 203
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From: IRVINE,CA
Please Help me Pick my Head Unit I am having trouble picking a HU. I plan on spending $300 - $550 on the HU.
I listen to rock and will be running the following with the HU:
6.5" MB Quarts components up front
JL Audio W6v2 10" sub
JL Audio 300/4 amp components
JL Audio 500/1 amp sub
I am looking for a HU that makes clean music, and I am not concerned with fancy features such as ipod compatability or fancy screens for graphics.
Thanks,
James
2005 C6
I listen to rock and will be running the following with the HU:
6.5" MB Quarts components up front
JL Audio W6v2 10" sub
JL Audio 300/4 amp components
JL Audio 500/1 amp sub
I am looking for a HU that makes clean music, and I am not concerned with fancy features such as ipod compatability or fancy screens for graphics.
Thanks,
James
2005 C6
First of all, if you are only going to run a single pair of speakers up front, and will never want rear speakers, then get the JL Audio 300/2 instead of the 300/4 to push them, cause the 300/4 does not have preamp out pass-thru's, while the 300/2 does. this will allow you to only have to run one set of patch cables to the rear, with the inputs to the sub amp coming from the main amp. the only way i would get the 300/4 instead is if you plan to add rear speakers later, you can get it for cheaper than the 300/2, or if you already have it from a previous install.
now, on to the decks.....i have seperated them into whether they have 2 sets of preamp outputs or 3 sets. all of them have 4v preamp outputs, with the exception of the two Kenwoods at the bottom, which both have 5v preamp outputs (and one of those is most likely what i would personally buy):
2 preamps:
Kenwood KDC-MP5028 $199.99
Blaupunkt Casablanca MP54 $279.99
3 preamps:
Alpine CDA-9830 $249.99
Alpine CDA-9855 $449.99
Pioneer DEH-P80MP $399.99
Kenwood KDC-MP4028 $179.99
Kenwood Excelon KDC-X589 $249.99
Clarion ProAudio DXZ945MP $449.99
Kenwood Excelon KDC-X789 $349.99
Kenwood Excelon KDC-X889 $449.99
keep in mind that this is just a starting point, there may be some other models out there that appeal to you more. i like to link to the Crutchfield site, because they have nice, big pictures of the products, and pretty much all the specifications you could ever want......but you may be able to find the same product elsewhere for cheaper.
now, on to the decks.....i have seperated them into whether they have 2 sets of preamp outputs or 3 sets. all of them have 4v preamp outputs, with the exception of the two Kenwoods at the bottom, which both have 5v preamp outputs (and one of those is most likely what i would personally buy):
2 preamps:
Kenwood KDC-MP5028 $199.99
Blaupunkt Casablanca MP54 $279.99
3 preamps:
Alpine CDA-9830 $249.99
Alpine CDA-9855 $449.99
Pioneer DEH-P80MP $399.99
Kenwood KDC-MP4028 $179.99
Kenwood Excelon KDC-X589 $249.99
Clarion ProAudio DXZ945MP $449.99
Kenwood Excelon KDC-X789 $349.99
Kenwood Excelon KDC-X889 $449.99
keep in mind that this is just a starting point, there may be some other models out there that appeal to you more. i like to link to the Crutchfield site, because they have nice, big pictures of the products, and pretty much all the specifications you could ever want......but you may be able to find the same product elsewhere for cheaper.
by the way, the two Kenwoods that have the 5v preamp outputs will help keep your audio cleaner, by allowing you to keep the gains on your amps turned down, which results in a higher signal-to-noise ratio.
the higher the signal-to-noise ratio = the less noise being amplified = cleaner output to the speakers
and one other thing, don't bother with purchasing high-dollar patch cables, just use Cat-5 twisted-pair ethernet cable and solder some RCA ends on them. it will work just as good (or better) than the premanufactured patch cables, it costs a LOT less, it can be cut to the exact length needed, and it's not as thick as a patch cable (reducing the bulge under your carpet). if you wanna see for yourself, go to Best Buy or any other place that sells the twisted-pair patch cables with the clear outer sleeve on it, and you'll see that it's EXACTLY the same thing....
i was just at Best Buy earlier and saw some of them
the higher the signal-to-noise ratio = the less noise being amplified = cleaner output to the speakers
and one other thing, don't bother with purchasing high-dollar patch cables, just use Cat-5 twisted-pair ethernet cable and solder some RCA ends on them. it will work just as good (or better) than the premanufactured patch cables, it costs a LOT less, it can be cut to the exact length needed, and it's not as thick as a patch cable (reducing the bulge under your carpet). if you wanna see for yourself, go to Best Buy or any other place that sells the twisted-pair patch cables with the clear outer sleeve on it, and you'll see that it's EXACTLY the same thing....
i was just at Best Buy earlier and saw some of them
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 203
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From: IRVINE,CA
Wow! Thanks for all the information.
What is the difference between the Alpine CDA-9830 and the CDA-9855?
I thought I saw Eclipse HU's with 8V preamp outputs. Is that right?
Thanks again!
James
What is the difference between the Alpine CDA-9830 and the CDA-9855?
I thought I saw Eclipse HU's with 8V preamp outputs. Is that right?
Thanks again!
James
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 396
Likes: 0
Pioneer DEH-7700. $199+ shipping from Ikesound...
http://www.ikesound.com/product-product_id/2883
They used to have the better Kenwood Excelon decks (789, 889) for $200 too but they're out of stock. I think I got one of the last 789's.
http://www.ikesound.com/product-product_id/2883
They used to have the better Kenwood Excelon decks (789, 889) for $200 too but they're out of stock. I think I got one of the last 789's.
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Excellent components for putting together a nice system......a nice $350-400 unit would work just fine IMO, but for IPOD compatability ???????
Eclipse, Pioneer, Clarion, Alpine! Now days, you can pickup one w/tons of options for a decent price, unlike 3-5 years ago, when technology burst onto the scene.
Personally, I don't care too much for Kenwood, Sony or Panasonic, but it is just personal preference.
...and yes, the NEW Eclipse have 8v preouts - (3) I believe. Can't go wrong w/Burr Brown either.
Eclipse, Pioneer, Clarion, Alpine! Now days, you can pickup one w/tons of options for a decent price, unlike 3-5 years ago, when technology burst onto the scene.
Personally, I don't care too much for Kenwood, Sony or Panasonic, but it is just personal preference.
...and yes, the NEW Eclipse have 8v preouts - (3) I believe. Can't go wrong w/Burr Brown either.
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Originally Posted by 2MuchRiceMakesMeSick
I recommend Pioneer
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pn...6_4035,00.html
Look for and compare the 670/6700 and 770/7700 series Radios.
Under Both Premier and Regular Single CD players
Originally Posted by Firehawk526
....Personally, I don't care too much for Kenwood, Sony or Panasonic, but it is just personal preference....
i agree about the Sony and Panny, but my Kenwood has lasted longer than the two Alpines i had, and doesn't skip as much when hitting bumps, either. of course, it could just be because it's in the Excelon family instead of just the "normal" lineup....
i don't know what's going on internally with Sony, but they need to get their **** together on their car head units' shock absorption. every Sony CD H/U i've ever seen installed in someone's ride (professionally installed or not) has skipped the worst of any other head unit i've seen, including some cheap-*** Wal-Mart H/U's....
