I am looking to upgrade my whole system for a better sounding system (or is that just more expensive) I'm currently looking at the flagship Eclipse HU, and some focal 3-way and 2-way components for front and rear. Not sure on the amps yet but i already have 3 Blaupunkt Burning Desire amps that are very good units.
Any help in regards to what people consider to be top gear would be appreciated.
Cheers B.P.

I'd definately look at the Nakamichi range, best HU's in my opinion, although they do look bland... Otherwise, the Eclipse is awesome, and maybe the flagship alpine.

Sounds like your system is gonna be quite nice, look forward to seeing you at one of the meets when its done!

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System:
JVC KD-SX750 head unit
HERTZ ESK 6.5" splits front stage in custom pods
HERTZ 12" Sub in home made ported box
Advantgarde 4x100WRMS Amp
PPI2360 Bridged 1x360WRMS
Rear fill not in use

131.2dB on dodgy SPL meter

All in a 91' Pulsar that doesnt stink so much now!
Now equipped with Monroe suspension!

www.members.sounddomain.com/bodyjar

are there any other units on the market for what i'm looking to spend? i went ot maroochy car sound and the bloke absolutely swore on his mothers grave about eclipse, but when i walked outside to check out there installs they were puttin 'em in everything. landcruiser utes, old fords etc. what tha? are they getting extra perks for pimpin out the new brand they've got or what's the deal. i also particularly like blaupunkt head units, but the bloke at maroochy shut them down totally, said they were low class. i always thought they were pretty good.

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pimpin' ain't easy

Yeah, for some reason some salesman have "favourite" brands, like the guy at Gold coast car sound i usually go to, he LOVES apline, and only wants to sell apline... Eclipse are a good brand though.

I've never really like the design of blaupunkt HU's, but they are fairly well built!
Just go to a good shop, look at the units in your price range, anything at your price level will be good! Just decide how high voltage preouts u want, stuff like that. then choose the one that looks best! good luck dude

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System:
JVC KD-SX750 head unit
HERTZ ESK 6.5" splits front stage in custom pods
HERTZ 12" Sub in home made ported box
Advantgarde 4x100WRMS Amp
PPI2360 Bridged 1x360WRMS
Rear fill not in use

131.2dB on dodgy SPL meter

All in a 91' Pulsar that doesnt stink so much now!
Now equipped with Monroe suspension!

www.members.sounddomain.com/bodyjar

basspimp: welcome to CAA.

yowie, you have a good budget to work with.

for HUs, i like your choice. the eclipse range from what i've seen, are excellent, and have been used to comp-winning effect in the us for quite a while. the top three in the range (5441,8051, 8061) are awesome, and so the 8061 should be for $1999!! this is obviously serious money, so spend it wisely.

i agree with the HUs already discussed:
*eclipse: excellent SQ, features, 3x8V preout on top two units (don't clip those amps!)
*alpine 7969: excellent SQ too, nice features, 3x4V preout
*nakamichi 45z: early skipping concerns, but allegedly later ones ok; nice smooth SQ sound; basic looking but i like it
*clarion, kenwood, rockford fosgate, also make nice topline HUs

many of these HUs are just preamps; no built-in amps. more room for the good things, power supply not wasted on amps, more budget for better qual components. just means if you want to have rearfill, you will need a dedicated amp

if you're going with a topline deck, match it with topline amps/speakers as you're thinking. and most importantly, installation will make or break such equipment, so be prepared to invest (time and $$$) on this.

you may like to post separate threads looking for suggestions on each area (front/rear speakers, subs, amps) for more specific views as i/we could go on for ever here to cover an entire system!

good luck

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Alfa 156

*headunit: Philips RC659
*stacker: Philips RC032
sitting around waiting to be installed (when I have time!):
*headunit: Alpine CDA-7949E
*stacker: Alpine CHA-S624
*fronts: Boston Accoustic RC61 6" splits
*rears: Polk Audio EX602 6" co-axials
*sub: Polk Audio Momo MM120 12"
*amps: Alpine MRV-F400, Alpine MRV-1000, Alpine MRP-T130
*power: Optima Yellow-top, Stinger cable, Lightning Audio 1.0F cap

i wouldn't count jvc out

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'75 Red Leyland Mini

Sony Xplod CDX-V7800X MP3/CD/VCD Head Unit
Focal Polyflex 130H 5-1/8" Splits
Pioneer 254F 10" Subwoofer
Rockford Fosgate G400A4 2x50+1x200WRMS Amp
Jaycar/Stinger CPT Wiring
Aepro 0.5Farad cap

Competition system
Sony Xplod CDX-V7800X MP3/CD/VCD Head Unit
1x12" Rockford Fosgate HE2
1xRockford G400A4 2x200WRMS
Jaycar/Stinger CPT Wiring
Aepro 0.5Farad cap
SPL : 130.1dB with faulty equipment!

i have lately, been a bit disapointed with the mainstream manufacturers, even my age old favorite, alpine. while technically, the current range of head units all are good, its all of the useless "bells and whistles", flashing lights and well, looks. to me, most of the head units might look good in a demo board, but put them into the dash of your car and they just stick out like a sore thumb, maybe its just me and my old fuddy duddy ways, or is there other peeps out there who agree?

of the mainstream manufacturers, i always like clarion and alpine for good sound qual head units.
for your "non mainstream" (), i always say, "go and get nakked!" nakamichi made and still do the best cassette decks, and they are hell bent on doing it for cd players too.
rochford fosgate, surprisingly enough and the macintoshes look they would kick too.

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5 years stuffing around with car audio,
5 years collection trophies for car audio,
5 years giving trophies for car audio,
what the hell do i do now?

i wouldn't rule out pioneer either... check this out

http://www.caraudioaustralia.com/ubb/Forum...TML/001268.html

I totally agree with Audible.

I'm trying to get my old 7903es repaired - probs with loading rails.

Fantastic old unit - not as good as the 7909 (of course) but related by blood.

Unbelieveable build quality.

For drving, there is simply no better answer than analogue volume pot and slide bass & treble!

And those six green cubes at night.....sexy stuff!!!

Got a Blau Calgary CD30 - Pretty Bloody Good for $269 - annoying eject though, always want 46.5 volume or 2.5 treble (oh for the joys of sliders...), great thumb remote on steering wheel.

Want a Naka as soon as $$$$ allows.

Bells n Whistles n Lights are bullcrap.

I hear good things about the eclipse HU's, so if go with one of them i doubt you'll be disappointed. As some others have mentioned you might want to look at some other top line HU's from Pioneer, Alpine, Nakamichi etc (if you have 4k to spend check out the alpine f#1 status HU, its meant to be awesome).

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Alpine CDA-7852R Head Unit
Alpine DDC-F17B Front Splits
Alpine SPS-1629 Rear Fill
Alpine MRV-F407 Amp
Alpine MRV-T757 Amp
Alpine DDDrive Sub
Stinger Wiring