Denfords

KUB3 · Post by **KUB3** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 2:46 am

I once bought a BNIB Denon made HU, badged as Rockford Fosgate. It has the exact same solid copper chassis as the Z1, with dual 20 bit DACs. Yet I bought and sold mine for around £250. While the Z1 seem to go for x4 the price. Is it simply a desire for a Denon badge, or rarity?

ps

I know Marko has (I think) the only Denford badged as Phoenix Gold. So this must be worth multiples of a Z1, based on the above...

Discuss...

bretti_kivi · Post by **bretti_kivi** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 3:48 am

It wasn't a Z1.

Bret

Post by **stipud** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 7:35 am

The Z1's are better, but not 4x better IMO. If I had a Denford I would never let it go... I cant believe RF was selling them on eBay for $200ish.

marko · Post by **marko** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 8:55 am

i don't think my headunit is worth as much as a z1 tbh, i'm not even convinced it's based on one but it's still a high end version and imo kicks ass on 99% of other headunits available today..

what i like about denons is the engineering and reliability of the units, mines not missed a beat in like 4 years, wish i could say the same for my old nak cd700

Post by **ttocs** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 11:27 am

I thought yours kicked the disc out every time switched power was turned off/on?

marko · Post by **marko** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 12:53 pm

ttocs wrote:I thought yours kicked the disc out every time switched power was turned off/on?

i fixed that, not sure how though! was never a fault of the unit itself more my wiring, i tried a differant wiring source for permanent live and it's been fine ever since..

KUB3 · Post by **KUB3** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 1:56 pm

I must admit I've not had a HU go wrong yet, with units from Alpine, Blaupunkt, Kenwood, Denon etc. But it does seem people often mention Nakamichi for various issues. I think they must be in the minority though, ime.

With regard to sound I personally thought the MX406 was better than my Denford. It's just they look really old fashioned and don't really suit some cars.

I'll probably be looking at something like the Clarion HX-D2 or a Pioneer next. What other HU's do you guys rate?

bretti_kivi · Post by **bretti_kivi** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 2:07 pm

CarPC

Eclipse 7200II is apparently very, very good. But do you want to listen to radio?

Bret

KUB3 · Post by **KUB3** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 2:18 pm

No, I haven't listened to the radio since Steve Wright circa 1993

And no, a PC isn't an option! I hate computers, especially anything non mac.

I just want a normal CD HU with full TA & EQ for 3 way plus sub

Post by **ttocs** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 6:47 pm

HA HA HA AUTOPC........

I will never forget our rep giving us a demo of his new system.

"auto pc, volume up" - wow, cool man!
"auto pc, volume up" - neat, it did it again.
"auto pc, volume down" ------
"AUTO PC, voluem down!"- give me a second fellas
"AUTO PC, VOLUME DOWN, AUTO PC AUTO$#*@#$!"

bretti_kivi · Post by **bretti_kivi** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 10:34 pm

there isn't much out there, esp. for 3+sub. Ural. And that's almost a PC

Bret

dedlyjedly · Post by **dedlyjedly** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 12:51 am

There are some people out there using Mac minis as their source units!

I would say that I'm most intrigued by some of the Pioneer deck/dsp combos that are unfortunately only intended for overseas markets.

KUB3 · Post by **KUB3** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 10:34 am

Re: Pioneers overseas...

Wow, are you telling me there is at least some benefit in being in the UK then

marko · Post by **marko** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 11:19 am

bretti_kivi wrote:there isn't much out there, esp. for 3+sub. Ural. And that's almost a PC

Bret

i know where there's a ural for sale, in fact it's a friend of mine and he's popping over tomorrow.. may have to talk $$

and it's the hard drive version too

KUB3 · Post by **KUB3** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 11:26 am

Meh, I really don't want a PC. Where's the hammer icon?

bretti_kivi · Post by **bretti_kivi** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 11:45 am

the Ural is

, but.. I'd prefer a Vista / 7 box. At least then I know I can change things.

Add in a M-Audio 1010LT on PCI and you have 8 outputs, too.

Bret

dedlyjedly · Post by **dedlyjedly** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 2:22 pm

KUB3 wrote:Re: Pioneers overseas...

Wow, are you telling me there is at least some benefit in being in the UK then

That's exactly what I'm telling ya...

http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/products/25 ... index.html

marko · Post by **marko** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 2:35 pm

that looks to be a good all in one unit

KUB3 · Post by **KUB3** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 5:42 am

Damn right. This looks like a very serious bit of kit!

It has a proper DAC arrangement too. Ok it might not be buffered, but clearly the transports laser pickup and DAC conversion stages are all connected to a master clock, so the errors (jitter) will be so tiny it won't need buffering anyway.

As there's zero backup in the UK for Clarion's HX-D2, this will most likely be my next HU

ps

I just searched online and discovered a well documented situation of earthing tracks / resistor blowing on Pioneer HU's, causing a noise issue. FFS!!!

dwnrodeo · Post by **dwnrodeo** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 5:20 am

Yep, the pico fuse is notorious for blowing.

dedlyjedly · Post by **dedlyjedly** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 11:55 am

That's true, but I wouldn't consider it a flaw. It's an easy fix and Pioneer put it there by design to prevent any other damage from occuring due to an amp trying to ground itself through the signal's ground trace. It only becomes an issue if you have other problems with your install.

KUB3 · Post by **KUB3** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 12:30 pm

Update: Nath on another forum (TA) said the new units come with a fuse now. Also, that older ones have solder tabs near that track, so a fuse (or resistor acting as a fuse) can easily be added. A pain, but not as bad as I fist thought then

marko · Post by **marko** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 1:02 pm

i quite like that new pioneer but it's a lot of money and you can do better for less if you go down the 2nd hand route..

but as a one box solution it takes some beating and looks damn sexy too

KUB3 · Post by **KUB3** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 1:04 pm

I don't even know what it cost Marko. I guess a grand?

marko · Post by **marko** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 1:05 pm

KUB3 wrote:I don't even know what it cost Marko. I guess a grand?

rrp £1250