What should I look at for a CD HU...

Wadoka · 06-17-2003, 06:43 PM

I am buying a '99 FRC that came from the plant with the non-Bose AM/FM Cassette system. Right now there's a large hole in the dash panel because the former owner is keeping his unit and has 'lost' the factory unit.

I'm not spending big money. What should I consider in the range of $200 to $300 for an in-dash single-disc unit with internal amplifier? One that will play the occasional CD-RW (green substrate)? Not looking for specific models unless you know off the top of your head - just want to know brand names that are good, and ones to stay away from?

~Matt

leolufse · 06-17-2003, 07:21 PM

Great:
Alpine, Eclipse, Nakamichi

Good:
Kenwood Excelon, Pioneer

No so good:
Sony, JVC, Panasonic, AIWA

Do not buy:
Jensen

_Nomad_ · 06-17-2003, 08:45 PM

You can get a decent Alpine unit for around $300. Personally, I would stick with Alpine. Even their less expensive units are good quality.

Kale · 06-17-2003, 08:58 PM

The "Alpine label."

I'd get either an Alpine or Clarion... Contact Tuan Le here for some good prices. His link is on the left "TL Elecronics"
http://www.tlelectronics.com/

Metal Wulf · 06-17-2003, 09:04 PM

Alpine 7995 :thumbs:

Wadoka · 06-17-2003, 10:06 PM

Thanks neighbors.

The Alpine CDA-7995 is too expensive.

Damn...Tuan is selling it for $110 cheaper than Crutchfield. Whoo.

Do the Pioneer "GM-size" units fit in the Corvette's panel opening?

Crud...does ANYONE make a unit that doesn't have a blackout/fold down/detachable/flipping face plate? I hate those things, I prefer no moving parts to break.

[Modified by Matt Black, 12:04 AM 6/18/2003]

mikejaeggi · 06-18-2003, 11:38 AM

can't go wrong with Alpine!

Wadoka · 06-19-2003, 12:45 PM

Does the Pioneer "GM/Chrysler" unit fit in the C5's panel opening?

~Matt

leolufse · 06-19-2003, 01:42 PM

It will fit, but for the price range you are talking, you can get a much better HU. What kind of features do you want?
MP3 playback? XM add on? Will you add a sub and/or components?

1COOLPC · 06-19-2003, 02:11 PM

I got the Pioneer GM fit head unit for $129 off of ebay, brand new. I like it a lot. Has a 3 band parametric EQ that I enjoy having and it looks great. Sounds good, works well. I don't have a single complaint, especially for that price. Some pics of it installed are here;
http://home.attbi.com/~bartlane/

Here's one;

I'm sure Alpines are great I just don't care for the look of them personally.

Kale · 06-19-2003, 02:18 PM

That pioneer is a solid unit, I used one in the 86 for a while until I finally upgraded to a modern head unit. Very reliable unit. Never skipped, and had no problem with imperfect CD's

1COOLPC · 06-19-2003, 02:21 PM

Is this an older head unit Kale? It has 2V pre outs which I guess is pretty low by today's standards.

Kale · 06-19-2003, 02:27 PM

i think it first appeared in 98 or 99.
It was much more solid and built than my Clarion. The CL would choke on CD;s that werent perfect, and skip now and then. This unit is a tank, mho.

[Modified by Kale, 10:28 AM 6/19/2003]

1COOLPC · 06-19-2003, 02:32 PM

Yeah, I guess 4-5 years is an eternity in electronics. No problems at all with CDR yet, but I haven't played a CDRW (At the cost of CD's today, you get like a million for five bucks, I don't even bother with CDRW. It's absolutely not a problem to throw a disk away.) So far so good.

Kale · 06-19-2003, 02:34 PM

mine played both no problem.

Tuan Le · 06-19-2003, 02:40 PM

Kale: Thanks for the referral. I appreciate it. :D

Matt: For the price range that you've mentioned, take a look at the Alpine CDA-9811. It will play both MP3 &WMA format and will read CDR/CDRW also. Below are the specs for it. The feature I like most on Alpine headunits is the "Digital Time Correction". :D It is a wonderful feature that allows you to compensate the difference in distance between speakers :thumbs:
http://www.tlelectronics.com/webstor...roducts_id=306

• 60W x 4 V-Drive™ Amplifier
• Bass Engine® Pro
• 6-Channel Digital Time Correction
• 6-Position HP/LP (24dB/Octave) Digital Crossover
• 5-Band Parametric EQ
• Subwoofer Level Control with Phase Selector
• 3-way or 2-way electronic crossover with adjustale slope
• MediaXpander™
• XM Satellite Radio Ready
• MP3/WMA/CD-R/RW Playback
• CD Text and MP3/WMA Tag Informtation Display
• Quick Search Function
• CD Text, CD Text Display, CD Text Scroll
• 3 Color Display with Spectrum Analyzer
• Versatile-Link™ Ready
• MaxTune SQ Tuner
• BlackOut Display
• Regulated 1Bit DAC
• 3 PreOuts (4 volt)
• MM Driver (Hard Disc Drive) Ready
• MobileHub™ Ready
• Swing Mechanism with Detachable Face
• RUE-4187 Wireless Remote Control Included

:cheers:
-Tuan

Wadoka · 06-19-2003, 03:10 PM

Thanks Kale, Bart, Tuan. That's good information.

I am not a demanding listener - I have a CD burner and MP3 software at home, but I don't spend any of my spare time making my own CDs - there's always something else I'd rather do. I listen to the radio locally, and listen to regular store-bought CDs for the most part. I'm probably never going to want to spend money on a Satellite subscription.

:cheers:

Kale · 06-19-2003, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Thanks Kale, Bart, Tuan. That's good information.

I am not a demanding listener - I have a CD burner and MP3 software at home, but I don't spend any of my spare time making my own CDs - there's always something else I'd rather do. I listen to the radio locally, and listen to regular store-bought CDs for the most part. I'm probably never going to want to spend money on a Satellite subscription.

:cheers:

that 9811 Tuan posted is hard to beat. It would be my choice for the price.

Tuan Le · 06-19-2003, 04:08 PM

Quote:

I'm probably never going to want to spend money on a Satellite subscription.

You got that right, not when you can put hundreds of your own MP3's files on the CD. :D :cheers:

_Nomad_ · 06-19-2003, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Matt: For the price range that you've mentioned, take a look at the Alpine CDA-9811. It will play both MP3 &WMA format and will read CDR/CDRW also. Below are the specs for it. The feature I like most on Alpine headunits is the "Digital Time Correction". :D It is a wonderful feature that allows you to compensate the difference in distance between speakers :thumbs:
http://www.tlelectronics.com/webstor...roducts_id=306

• 60W x 4 V-Drive™ Amplifier
• Bass Engine® Pro
• 6-Channel Digital Time Correction
• 6-Position HP/LP (24dB/Octave) Digital Crossover
• 5-Band Parametric EQ
• Subwoofer Level Control with Phase Selector
• 3-way or 2-way electronic crossover with adjustale slope
• MediaXpander™
• XM Satellite Radio Ready
• MP3/WMA/CD-R/RW Playback
• CD Text and MP3/WMA Tag Informtation Display
• Quick Search Function
• CD Text, CD Text Display, CD Text Scroll
• 3 Color Display with Spectrum Analyzer
• Versatile-Link™ Ready
• MaxTune SQ Tuner
• BlackOut Display
• Regulated 1Bit DAC
• 3 PreOuts (4 volt)
• MM Driver (Hard Disc Drive) Ready
• MobileHub™ Ready
• Swing Mechanism with Detachable Face
• RUE-4187 Wireless Remote Control Included

:cheers:
-Tuan

For that price that is an excellent HU. That would without a doubt be my choice if I were looking in that price range. :yesnod: