I actually love the way the Alpine HU looks Especially the 7977.
I just don't think it has comparable SQ to my C90, I'm sorta picky though
I listened to both with the same cd seconds after each other, over and over again. The C90 just blows the 7977 away SQ wise. If alpine would make at least one unit with better quality or say quad 24bit DAC's then I probably would have bought the Alpine.
FYI...I have also read that for a small amount of money, the C90 could have been improved as well. Sony, in efforts to cut costs, choose to use lower quality Capacitors..etc... (not that they used poor quality...but just not the super top of the line components) But you can replace them with higher quality and get even more Sensitivity out of it. Which I think might be gettin carried away but hey....just thought that was interesting!
I would wait for 2002 as well to see what Alpine comes out with...and if they don't come out with much new...just buy the older version and save some dough!!
Good luck
