Phoenix Gold Phorum

Has anybody had a chance to test out the new eclipse CD1000-5000 units and the new Alpine units. From a side by side comparison it looks as though the Eclipse could be a better deal all the way around, but i've never owned an eclipse though. I'm not sure if I really like the new Alpine head units either. I've been using a cde-7862 for now, but I need to get one that can play mp3's and going to give my 7862 to my wife for her car.

What are your thoughts

Thanks,

Kevin

IMO, Eclipse decks have been going way way waaaay downhill lately. Case in point, my old AVX-2404 still has better features than most of their new decks, which may only be optional by expensive addon unit (see: dolby 5.1 decoding). The DAC quality also seems to have decreased... I swear the new decks sound worse than the old ones (but that's probably just subjective).

I haven't been too impressed with the new Alpine lineup either. It seems they are selling out sound quality for adding other features like iPod integration instead. For instance when I looked at the decks, almost all of them only had 2 volt RCA outputs, whereas when I looked a year ago you could get 4 volt by the "middle of the road" lines.

I dunno, I'm not a head unit expert. Perhaps someone better could yield an opinion.

That's what I was afraid of. That's what i've noticed too about the new alpines is if you want a 4v preout you have to really get one of their high end models. I don't need any ipod integration, built in eqs, or anything fancy like that either.

I just need a good HU that will have excellent SQ and 4v preout. Even though my 7862 is still darn near mint it's only got 2v preout and it's having trouble reading some cd-r's now. From time to time it will give "ERROR". One reason I want to get another one

Kevin

Have you looked at Pioneer yet? They seem to have a great middle line, and they are gradually getting less ugly as well. Kenwood Excelon may also be worth checking out.

Not looked at Pioneer yet, but I have checked out some of the Kenwoods. I've owned both Pioneer and Kenwood in the past (back in 1990 for the pioneer and then 93 or so for the Kenwood). I wonder if Denon still makes hu's. I had one back in the mid 90's that had a very clean and warm sound to it.

I think i'll go search some and see what I can find. That's one of the perks when you're a system admin guy. When you're not working everything is running A+ until you see the sys admin guy running around frantically

Kevin

I know you said cd1000-5000 models but as far as them going downhill, the cd7000 looks like an extremely good deal all around, some great deals on ebay right now. 5 volt preouts, 3 sets, eq, time alignment, great speaker manipulation, memory stick slot, and other stuff. The 7100 looks like it was just released after CES but that looks pretty slick too though they dropped memory stick for usb(good), dropped from 3sets of 5v preouts in favor of 2 sets of 8v preouts and an aux input it looks like(little worse but not if u dont amp ur rear channels), still has 24 bit DAC, time alignment, eq. The 5100 is not quite as good but still has 5v preouts, 2 sets, usb capability, eq, but no time alignment. I think they are still putting out a quality mid to high end product...as far as alpine I don't know the specs because I haven't even considered purchasing them bc I don't like their looks for '07 at all but I am sure they have their comparable models to eclopse.

stipud wrote:Have you looked at Pioneer yet? They seem to have a great middle line, and they are gradually getting less ugly as well. Kenwood Excelon may also be worth checking out.

I agree pioneer has a lot of great stuff...though I am not a fan of their current look either..the whole off center large volume knob...

If you like denon, there's always the Denford. I don't think it plays MP3s though...

The 7000 does look nice. I've not had a chance to look at one in person though and from the pictures they almost look cheap made. I'm not saying they are though and not talking just about the 7000. The 7000 looks good, but i'm not sure if I want to pay that much for one when I don't really need all the features it has though. If I was just running stock speakers with no other components it would be different

I was thinking about trying to get an older alpine like the 7893/94 but since i'm so picky about the way someone has taken care of it i'm not sure.

That denford does have the same look as denon's receivers for home audio for sure.

If you're willing to buy used, I LOVE the alpine 9835 and 9855.

If you want less bling, the 9833 and 9853 had the same features, minus the pretty screen, and were a pretty penny cheaper.

Yeah, those were more of the type I was looking at buying from the alpine series.

If you want 4v preouts, don't go Alpine. You'll end up spending money on features you don't need since they only have 4v preouts on the top end lines these days.

I'm happy with my Alpine CDE-9852, but that's because good iPod integration was one of my top requirements. Sounds quality mattered too, but not enough to spend more than I did... and even that was a lot when compared to the rest of my setup.

I agree with Tom. We were both looking at H/Us lately for my own needs and both Alpine and Eclipse seem to have gone downhill in terms of audiophile features and quality. My purchase was a bit of a compromise really. I couldn't get the audiophile quality, iPod integration and price range I wanted in a single unit so I let some of the "nice" things on my list to slide, like the 4v preouts...

i have been very impressed with the kenwood in terms of SQ. the preouts are powerful and they have one of the best DAC's on the market.....the only thing i dont like is the face seems a little flimsy, it isnt very secure when you push the buttons, and the display backgroud is purple in the daytime...

at night you cant see it and it is nice blue and red.

if you can find them, the old eclipse decks like the CD2303 were great decks. I have had mine for 4 years now, and love it. doesnt play mp3's but if you get the eclipse Ipod connector, then it plays your ipod straight through.

Pioneer's lineup is great, especially the 880.

Mackenzie wrote:Pioneer's lineup is great, especially the 880.

x2 def best head unit not in the "elite range" on the market now IMO.


So others that are ont he same level as the PRS-880

alpine cda-9835 (prob the best head unit Ive owned)
Kenwood excelon xxv-o1d now is renamed there highest unit what ever the model number is. (owned that too and was a great unit only down side no 3-way xover,)

or you could wait for the alpine cda 9887....suppose to finally be a worthy replacement to the cda-9835.

Been looking at all those HU's now Man it's hard for me to decide

Here are 3 models i'm currently looking at right now. I'm looking in volt preout, dac with a clean looking interface mainly.

What you guys think?

Kevin


http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio ... ctID=16945
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio ... ctID=14786
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio ... ctID=15595

go prs-880

only one that offers the 3 way xover..and then you dont need your PG proccesors.

i've got the 880prs right now and i must admit that i REALLY like it. before that I had the top-of-the-line excelon and the premier definitely edges it out as far as a sq oriented head unit. I have no experience with that clarion to give you an honest comparison unfortunately.

as mentioned before, i can't think of a head unit i'd rather have than the 880prs other than the super high-end head unit/outboard dsp options.

Thanks. On the 880 i'm looking at it and I don't really see anything for a function like "pause, mute, next, previous" for the cd player.

Are those functions on there?

Thanks,

Kevin

It has all those functions. To pause it you must go into the menu unfortunately.

Mackenzie wrote:It has all those functions. To pause it you must go into the menu unfortunately.

Ahh, ok.

Thanks,

Kevin

After a lot of researching i'm really thinking about going the pioneer premier. It's in the price range I want to spend right now on one and it's got the qualities i'm looking for for the most part.

Kinda funny, the title is Alpine or Eclipse and I just can't seem to justify either one except buy a used one that is a few years old.

Thanks to all,

Kevin

You will not be dissapointed with the pioneer unit. One thing to consider though is making a seperate ground to the chassis of the unit. They like good grounds, so make sure you provide one, other than the crappy one provided in the back of the hu.