Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio MP3/CD deck recommendations

I wouldn't get too caught up in specs. The human ear would never be able to perceive a difference in s/n ratio unless it was very large.

Also, I'm kinda leery of FM sensitivity ratings. I've actually swapped in decks with better ratings and have gotten worse reception. I think it's only useful when comparing decks of the same brand, as they've likely gone through the same testing to determine their rating. I've got a Blau in my RX-7 that's rated at something like 18dBf and does much better than the Clarion in my truck rated at 11dBf.

You can always go satellite.

I think you'd get some benefit using an 8ga wiring kit when installing one of these new higher power decks. There's been a lot of posts about head unit illum dimming lately. Could either be a weak ground or too small of power wire.

I have had good experiences with sensitivity specs. I remember the Panasonic tuner from back in 98 (when I was first shopping), and it had the same sensitivity as today... Not good. AFAIK, my alpine (9.3dBf) was better than my wifes pioneer (11 dBf), and our cheap sony (8dBf) trounced them all.

However, I did notice that once the station was pulled in on the Panny, it had one of the best S/N ratio and stereo separation. Might it be a compromise?

I disagree with you on S/N. I can easily hear noise floor differences from 90dB to 100dB on CD decks.

i doubt there will be a deck putting out a true 100 watts rms x4. and if it does i doubt it will be as clean of power as an external amp. and its hard to dissapate heat in an enclosed area especailly one with such little space

*coughs* eclipse!!! (Clears Throat) ECLIPSE!!!!!!!!!!!

Take a look at the CDA-9813. It's last year's model, therefore cheaper. It also does everything any of the other Alpine HUs do.

Your best option is to go try all these HUs listed here out for yourself. I can goa ahead and argue all day that an Alpine HU is the best option and the best at everything, blah blah blah, I own one, of course I'll say that.

Alpine, Kenwood, Pioneer, Eclipse, Clarion, etc... all make excellent equipment, and all deserve a look. I generally stay away from Kenwood because I am not fond of thier ergonomics, but they have made alot of changes in the last few years that I like.

Try the HUs out in the wall at a store, not to see how they sound, since they are in a wall, but to see if you think you could live with them. 90% of the reason I stick with Alpine stuff is that they've never really changed the controls for thier HUs. I can opreate my 7998 without looking at it. I wasn't as worried about all the little pissy numbers aside from that. Generally if you spend $300 on an HU, it will sound just about identical to any other $300 HU. It just might have different options, abilities, etc...

Figure out what you think you need, then make a purchase based on that, not what a bunch of people on this forum tell you to do. Unless it's Dnewma04, always listen to that guy...

Unless it's Dnewma04, always listen to that guy...

Baah, he's a Macintosh lover . Never could stomach the looks myself. Too bad the Clarion 9255 is not for sale anymore. Now that was a head unit

BTW, it seems Crutchfield is fiull of crap, and that the Panny 9800 tuner sensitivity is 10.5dBf. Now that I can live with. Now to find it in Canada, at a reasonnable price...

Ive had a Kenwood Z828 for a while now (bout 2 years) and havent had a single problem with it. The sound was awesome before I even got my subs (2 12's) and never needed to clean the laser or anything. I probably should just to make sure it keeps working well, but nothing really skips when I hit railroad tracks, potholes and ditches.

Well on big ditches itll skip. But if you hit a ditch that big youre gonna worry more about your axle then why your CD skipped.

When I got the headunit it was the last in stock (they stopped making it) and I got the display model for 100 off the sale price. Ended up only paying like $250, when I think it was going for like $400. Im pretty sure you can grab one off Ebay for cheap. It also plays WMA files.

Personally everything I buy is Kenwood because Ive gotten the best performance from them.

You can even try the Blaupunkt San Jose (They probably have a different model name now) that also plays MP3 and I think WMA. Before mine got jacked I loved it. Very simple interface and very loud sound. It was also a bit cheaper then the Kenwood and had the same exact performance output too.

Just my .02

Oh and just so you know the kinda guy I am, I usually buy headunits every year or so. No real reason. Just want the newest headunit at the time. This ones about 2 years old now.