Opinions on replacement headunits

[dj_s2k]

Hi all,

Just wanted to get a few peoples opinions on a replacement headunit. My beloved Alpine CDA-9855r is starting to die on me. The RCA outs on the rear are playing up (sometimes the left channel just cuts out. No its not the cabling as i rewired my system yesterday with Stinger cabling so i can assure u its not that. I switched RCA's around and confirmed that its actually the headunit) and on top of that because its a motorized face it started to jam as well :S Having said that I know that my headunit will not last for much longer so i'm in the process for shopping for a new one.

I'm into SQ and not too concerned about budget (willing to spend up to $1000 on the headunit). I've heard good things about Eclipse and i've looked on the site and read up on the CD7200MKII. The 8v preouts seem very attractive as well as the online parametric eq program. So that is on top of the list.

Another headunit i'm considering is the Alpine CDA-9887. To be honest i'm disappointed with the latest range of Alpines as i feel the build quality of the units aren't as good as they once were. Having said that the Alpine headunit has "imprint" which i find quite an attractive feature as it will allow me to adjust to my cars acoustic environment.

I'm open to suggestions and opinions.

Cheers

[theuan101]

I bought the CDA-9886 and it is AWESOME! My mate has the CDA-9887, I would have gone for it but I am not going to run amps. The CDA-9887 sound ridiculously good on his $5000 JL Audio setup. I think you can get the 9887 for around the $475 at JB Hifi, or even eBay if you want!

Cheers

[Frost_FD]

$5000 setup.... omg...

I am looking for a head unit myself and considering the 9887 but whats the difference between 500 bucks and 300 bucks HU from alphine's range as i dont see much.....

[ICACHA]

not too many SQ headunits out there, yes Eclipse (although these models look plastic) they are very nice on the SQ side with obviously some tuning features.

on the subject of imprint, it is only as good as the install, dont believe me, hook it up with speakers in the OEM locations and tune with it, then you need to build a proper car that stages and images and try the same thing with the imprint, you wont believe your ears. imprint comes from home audio and the way its being tuned these days. home audio and car audio are on 2 different planets so dont think imprint is a fix for everyone thinking they will 'greatly' improve how their system sounds. its only as good as the install...

[arverson]

I am looking for a head unit myself and considering the 9887 but whats the difference between 500 bucks and 300 bucks HU from alphine's range as i dont see much.....

if i remember correctly -and assuming your talkin about the 9887 & 9886- the differences are that the 9887 comes with more extensive tuning capabilities inbuilt, like a usb port, 2/3 way x-over, 6 channel time-correction/alignment & a 5-7 band parametric eq.

the 9886 has those eq'ing capabilities but ONLY with the addition of the h100 processor, which is like another $200 on top.

ummm also one of them comes with a usb port & one without, forgot which one is which tho.

thats all that comes to mind atm. theres probably more differences but this should make up your mind for now

[dj_s2k]

on the subject of imprint, it is only as good as the install, dont believe me, hook it up with speakers in the OEM locations and tune with it, then you need to build a proper car that stages and images and try the same thing with the imprint, you wont believe your ears. imprint comes from home audio and the way its being tuned these days. home audio and car audio are on 2 different planets so dont think imprint is a fix for everyone thinking they will 'greatly' improve how their system sounds. its only as good as the install...

I was under the impression that imprint was meant to make the tuning of the system a lot easier for the user. Instead of manually tuning the system by ear ? I've also been told by the rep of Alpine that when "Imprinting" your car it will draw out an eq curve for you that best suits your acoustic environments ? I must admit i'm not 100% about this imprint business though and just like with anything thats meant to be "easy" it just means a quick shortcut. I know 100% that tuning a car takes A LOT of time (took me a few hours to tune my setup and I'm still trying to fine tune it) and i don't believe that it can be done within a few minutes with a program n mic. Very skeptical.

I dunno maybe it'll be good to get a few people you have actually used imrpint in their car for their opinions. Would be very interesting.

[spiderman]

Hi
I have the CDA-9887 and the imprint kit....

I was very surprised at how effective the unit was.....takes alot of the work out of tuning....have loaned it to a mate too ....he was impressed as well.....

Each to there own though....

Go the 9887 excellent deck for tuning and you can pick them up for a great price atm ...very bland display but why do you buy a stereo to look at it or listen to it.....

[ICACHA]

Hi
I have the CDA-9887 and the imprint kit....

I was very surprised at how effective the unit was.....takes alot of the work out of tuning....have loaned it to a mate too ....he was impressed as well.....

Each to there own though....

Go the 9887 excellent deck for tuning and you can pick them up for a great price atm ...very bland display but why do you buy a stereo to look at it or listen to it.....

tell me, did it stage and image? if you say yes, show me pics of your speaker install, if you dont know what stage and image is then dont answer yes or no

[arverson]

lmao..

[Frost_FD]

Another option we can consider if you want to keep you existing head unit is the Alpine PXA H701 Processor

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...=detailed_info

I would still get a new CDA 9887 for that price

[keniirox]

pioneer p90rs =) ..they sex .. pioneers top range headunit

good tuning features and later on if u want more tuneability you can add its combo (forgot the name p90 somthing)..

the headunit itself is about 800 i think and the combo thing is about the same price

[ICACHA]

dex-p90 is the eq