Looking for a new unit to head up my system, and so far I'm down to the choice between a CDA9855 and a XXV01A. Both have really good tuning tools, and benefits for each. Has anyone had experience with both these decks because I would like an impartial view

Just out of interest, the CDA-9855R will be dropping to an RRP of $899 this year, so if that's the one you choose make sure you pay no more than this price! Note that the RRP may not drop until the new '06 Alpine's arrive in store, but the 9855 does not have a replacement on the way.

I have used the 9855, but no the Kenwood. Both are excellent units, however, so you will harldy be dissapointed which ever you choose. GlideTouch takes a little getting used to but once you are it works great.

Maybe also think about the CDA-7998 phantom face... the RRP has gone down to a crazy $799!

doesnt the 7998 have more features than the 9855??
or do they share same features and only cosmetics are different?

7998 has a few more features...

Hadn't considered the other Alpine. I was mainly looking at detachable face units, but I'll have a good look into it.

i love my XXV awesome deck

Is the menu system fairly easy to use on the XXV Rob? Haven't had the chance to play with a XXV yet. I found the 9855 pretty easy, and one of the main features I liked was the I-Personalise. However, this wouldn't be a deciding factor. The biggest difference between the two is the 9855 has a 1 bit DA, and the XXV has a 24bit DA. I'm using a deck with a 24 bit DA at the moment, but would the Alpine suffer because of this?

I love the XXV, Rob has it and it sounds nice, menus are easy enough.
As for sound, I think the XXV has the potential to be better, as it uses superior DACs to the Alpine H/U (The Alpine PXA-H900 has the same DACs as the XXV)

Cheers, that's the kind of info I'm after

what he said