8 replies to this topic

[JAY-684]

want to buy a SQ H/U to go with the Focal and u-dimension gear I just bought. I had the 9815 in mind or the 8051 Eclipse but want some other ideas as I've heard from some people that Alpine arent all they're cracked up to be (dont flame me please, its just what I heard!) and I dont like the fact Eclipse H/U's aren't detachable.

Any suggestions would be great

[honour77]

Maybe a nakamichi cd400 but i'd still say go eclipse for SQ or alpine for value & features.

You might get some good results out of a clarion too. 835mp or 935mp or something, the model number escapes me

[shiny_car]

i love alpine.

i certainly agree that alpine don't offer the best SQ HUs on the market, even at their various price points (F1 status excluded).

but what they do offer is top value for money in terms of:
*build quality and reliability
*inbuilt features
*SQ

plus they offer a complete range of accesories that integrate very cleverly. then there's plenty of retailers around for support. good after sales service too.

the 9815 is an example of a top value deck, with very high SQ and loaded with features. it's very hard to beat in terms of bang for your buck.

however, i also recommend eclipse ahead of alpine if you want all out SQ. they are high build quality, but don't have all the features. their accessories (eg: CD stackers, etc) are relatively more expensive, and they don't offer as extensive range of processors and accesories. so if you want stuff like a comprehensive EQ, you have to buy an additional component which adds to cost, complexity and installation space/time.

and nothing wrong with clarion stuff. they are certainly renowned for high SQ in their top range decks. i'm not familiar enough with nak stuff to comment, save for their reputation for top SQ as well.

in the end, it may boil down to what you consider best value for money. any slight difference in SQ may be outweighed by your ability to have optimally installed your speakers and their tuning.

but, i've been happy using alpine for years now, and certainly recommend them for what that's worth.

[Iano]

Quote

Originally posted by JAY-684:
and I dont like the fact Eclipse H/U's aren't detachable.

Just to educate you as to why this is. The face doesnt need to be detachable because no one would dare steal these units anyway. Every model Eclipse you buy comes with ESN, the companys patented traceable security system. Your details are recorded along with the electronic serial number of the HU when you purchase it.

Next step is to select the crappiest most apalling CD in your collection to use as a key disc. Once battery power to the unit is cut, it is rendered inoperable and will not play until this disc (as chosen by you) is inserted. Gives you 5 tries then the unit effectively shuts down. If someone happens to aquire the unit and tries to contact Eclipse to have it reactivated, they will pay all postage costs associated in getting it to them, and once it arrives they will match the serial number with its rightful owner, inspect the unit for damage, then return it to you.

Eclipse was the USA's highest selling headunit last year. And the least stolen.

[ December 26, 2003, 14:48: Message edited by: Iano ]

[gooki]

On the topic of detachable headunits, from my experience, over 50% of headunit faults are based around the detacable face mechanism failing over time.

As for sq decks for sub 1k.

Clarion 835,
Caliber DTV-835
Nakamichi CD400

Would be at the top of my must listen to list.

[JAY-684]

Quote

Originally posted by Iano:
[indent]quote:

---

Originally posted by JAY-684:
and I dont like the fact Eclipse H/U's aren't detachable.

Just to educate you as to why this is. The face doesnt need to be detachable because no one would dare steal these units anyway. Every model Eclipse you buy comes with ESN, the companys patented traceable security system. Your details are recorded along with the electronic serial number of the HU when you purchase it.

---

[/indent]I know that its not detachable cos of the ESN, but I'm pretty sure 100% the scum out there wont know about ESN and the high security measures Eclipse has. I just dont want one of the ametuer/ignorant theifs seeing the faceplate and ripping it off the whole system, simply because they dont know about ESN. It doesn't matter about the fact they cant use it, what matters to me is the fact it'd be gone.

The way I see it is that the less that can be seen from the outside in, the better.

[quatto]

ever heard of a SONY CDX-C90?

this unit will blow away ANYTHING (naka, denon apline etc) for the price. SRRP was $1200 USD when released in 1996. This unit is strictly designed by Sony ES Japan for competition SQ. If you want to know more, check this link ->

http://www.carreview.com/CD,Receivers/Sony...12_2861crx.aspx

C90's can still be picked up off ebay for around $300 - $400 AUD.

[micha3l]

i know you want it for under $1000, but maybe if u spend $1000 you could get this

http://caraudioaustralia.com/forums/viewto...pic.php?t=30145

Im sure a Denon DCT-R1 has ok SQ :hehe:

[dasherhalo]

quatto said:

ever heard of a SONY CDX-C90?  

this unit will blow away ANYTHING (naka, denon apline etc) for the price. SRRP was $1200 USD when released in 1996. This unit is strictly designed by Sony ES Japan for competition SQ. If you want to know more, check this link ->  

http://www.carreview.com/CD,Receivers/Sony...12_2861crx.aspx

C90's can still be picked up off ebay for around $300 - $400 AUD.

Quote

Paid just over $900 (new) for the unit one year ago (12/98) and have been generally happy. However, the unreadable display (in daytime) has left me VERY unhappy. Add to that the loose trim ring (I have a friend who has the same complaints) and you have some pretty bothersome problems. I have never .........

Thanks for the link: the review started very well!! :roll: :wink:

Are we talking about new units here? If not there's a boat of 2nd hand units you could be shopping for - the Alpine 7909/7939/7949, Clarion's DRX-9255 & HX-D1, and the Denon as listed above. Anyone say CD700???

Some of these you might struggle to fit in under $1k, but for pure SQ terms, these have all earned their stripes!