Need opinions on Alpines flagship raw SQ only headunit, the 9861E (I'm looking for something to eventually replace my Eclipse 8454).

Looks a goodun, and thank frig it doesnt have the 9855Rs horrid glide touch.

Just how good does this deck sound? I know it uses a 24 bit DAC and can handle DVD-A, which actually doesnt phase me a great deal so long as all my existing discs sound superb I dont care.

I know tuneabilitys limited on it, but I'll probably bolt a PXA-H701 on at the same time. Nothing like going the full hog.


Opinions please!

I have the 9861 with the H701 on it. Its really only worth it with the H701, otherwise its fairly ordinary.

Not a bad unit, but I do plan to upgrade.

Sorry to hijack the thread as I plan to have Alpine 9961/H701/C701 on another car too. Which HU are you planing to upgrade to? Alpine 9965/H701 combo or P90 combo?

Just one quick question, if the HU is only used as a transporter when you combined with H701, is there any benefit of using 9965 rather than 9861?






You would really need 9861 to combine with H701 to make it great. In one recent Alpine competition event in SE Asia, someone actually used this combo to beat most of the competitors using Alpine F1 HU, he came in 2nd place in the Open category. Or this guy: http://www.sounddomain.com/ride/777960 , who use 9861 to come in 2nd place in 2006 IASCA World Championship Rookie class.

as eluded to, the DVA-9965E is a better model than the 9861E.

if you're adding the PXA processor, then indeed the 9861E is the better-value choice, if you can accept the lower quality display. and of course the 24-bit DAC means diddly-squat once the processor is in place.

but the transports in these models is supposed to be as good as alpine offer.

Yeah the 9965E is over $2000.... eff that

Looks like its the 9861 and H701 for the win

You dont need the C701 with the 9861. It has integrated processor control. Im saving up at the mo for the P90 combo.

As Shiny eluded to, the 9965 retails for about $2k, which is more then double the 9861.

The 9861E is just a cheap low end DVD player,
the biggest advantage is it has Optical out and processor control,

but you gotta be able to cope with the crappy user functionality, hopeless control interface,
useless removeable face idea (having to push the volume control out of the way to eject a disk is a joke)

I bought one and thought I'd bought a Sony Explode or a JVC, quick smart returned it.. hated it.

The whole thing left a very bitter taste in my mouth.

I Returned it and collected a 9965E for around $1800 and have never been so happy.
So easy to use, looks great, the glide touch is stunning (compared to a 9855R) the Japanese build quality shows up immediatly. The 9965E also has the F1 Status power supply system (external box).

If your looking for a SQ improvement over your Eclipse, you will not find it in the 9861E, unless you get the PXA H701 Processor, but then you'll need the RUX C701 to control it, because using the 9861E to control all the processor functions is a bit of a joke. (or nightmare really).

The PXA-H701 actually isn't much of a "pure sq" improvement over the Eclipse anyway, the only reason it sounds better, is simply because of the level of adjustment.

you'll likely find larger improvements with a HXD2 but then you'll be stuck with vintage level adjustability.

As a budget SQ setup the 9861E + PXA-H701 is awesome, IF and only if you can live with the constant day to day shortfalls of a disapointing interface.

If your a set and forget guy, and can cope with the eject missions and hiding volume control then fine.
if your a Tweeker.. don't even bother with that setup, it will frustrate the crap out of you.

Juls

PS: the 9855R's Glidetouch setup is totally kick ass compared to trying to operate the 9861E's hopeless user interface.
the 9965E is only worlds better again. Of Course.. that is my opinion, and my opinion only.

Whats the advantage of going to the 701 when the eclipse has pretty much all the same x-over, TA capabilities, and youve got the PG eq, for the eq duties??

As above, go with the DVA-9965E.

it's not even close to being the same level of adjustment.

31 band Graphic for front 2 way active,
31 band graphic rear,
10 band sub.

all 1/3 octave.
The PEQ also has ALOT more frequencys than the Eclipse, (but the PEQ is still not as good as the eclipse PEQ)

the X/over has at least 40 more frequency selections than the eclipse offers, as well as including up to 30db crossover slope,

the Time alignment offers 0.05 increments, where the Eclipse only offers 0.1 increments,
0.1 is generally equivalent to about 6-8" staging movement. The 0.05 increments is quite handy really.

Juls