Does anyone make a DECENT head unit anymore????
 

OK, I know this subject has been covered ad nauseum many times before, but as you all know, the world of consumer electronics is a constantly moving target.

I have been perusing the internet and local stores for a new in dash CD player for my non-Porsche (2001 Toyota 4Runner). I've got an Alpine 5 channel amp, 10 inch sub, and the 'Runner came with Infinity Reference separates in the doors (that was a nice find after getting her home from Carmax!). All that's left is to find a new head unit to replace the factory piece.

I'm partial to Alpine as I've always been impressed with their build and sound quality. Unfortunately, no one, including Alpine seems to make a unit that has everything I'm looking for. Here's my "wish list":

Single CD/MP3
AM/FM/HD Radio
RDS
iPod controls
Bluetooth
3 pairs of line outs (Front, Rear, Subwoofer)
"Knob type" control for volume
"Intuitive" controls
I don't necessarily need satellite radio.
"Bling-factor" not necessary

The closest thing I've found to what I'm looking for is the Alpine CDA-9885, which isn't out quite yet. They make you buy separate accessory modules to add HD Radio and Bluetooth. RDS isn't even an option on any Alpine unit. I've played with the CDA-9857, and it seems decent, but I'm not crazy about the way the face just "flops" open to insert or eject a CD. Seems kinda cheesy compared to the motorized units that they used to make.

I've looked at everything that I've been able to find (Alpine, Kenwood, Eclipse, Pioneer, Panasonic, JVC, Sony, etc.) and nothing is grabbing me, let alone knocking my socks off. Anybody got any input before I "settle" on something? :confused:

I just want one that looks like a regular stereo, not Times Square on acid.

I can't seem to find anything that aesthetically fits a 911 interior.

Check out the Becker Mexico 7948 Retro-look.

Just google "Becker Radio".

Just on the market - and they're gorgeous.

Get one of the " cool" Sony explodes with the swimming dolphins and LSD trip lights on it. It also serves you drinks and gives a happyending.
Might even make your car faster when used in conjunction with with a subwoofer the size of a small shed.

I agree, I want a simple no frills unit that plays music and sounds good.

Back when I was in HS , if you had a Craig head unit with Jensen Triaxes you where big league. :D

Yeah, I want something that approaches the purposefulness of the VDO gauges in our cars. Something that can be read at a glance. Light show notwithstanding, I have yet to hear a Sony that doesn't hurt my ears. They always sound harsh to me.

Hey Vinny, you and I must be about the same age! In my school it was a Pioneer SuperTuner and Jensen Triaxes. If you were REALLY setup, you had a 40 watt power booster/equalizer as well!

And those psychedelic radios are so unpopular with crackheads that they will leave your ride alone. My wife wanted a CD player for her car. I had a choice between a Crutchfield "boom box in the dash" with a $100 "installation kit" or finding a factory radio with the bells and whistles she wanted. I opted for choice #2. Tested it out and found it to be quite good and it did have an actual volume control!! Imagine that!!

Pumps out appx 50 watts RMS and sounds pretty good.

After talking to some audio experts, they seem to agree that factory radios have improved to a point where many of them are equal to or superior to mid range replacement units.

LOL!

Last time I was at Best Buy I perused the car stereo department just out of curiosity (slightly interested in a head unit that plays CD's and tapes... I know, cassette tapes? dream on!)

And I was thinking W_T_F !?!? Do people really buy this $hit?

Damn that thing has a lot of features.

A bit more retro than I am looking for. Looks like a 50's-60's era deck.

The stock Infinity unit that came in my 94' 3000GT was great. Had a line in on the front, was perfect for the iPod.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v3/pg/product/details/0,,2076_310069882_291159496,00.html

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1168626808.jpg

I don't know if they have the features you want but Nakamichi makes some that blend in very well.

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=13364

I ran into the same thing a couple years ago when shopping for a head unit - it was all about the bling. There was even a unit that had a mode that scrolled C++ code, not than any of it's target market would know what they were looking at...

JVC has a unit, http://mobile.jvc.com/product.jsp?modelId=MODL027687&pathId=129&page=2, that maintains the two-control knob appearance, they're rockers instead of real knobs though. This head unit can play MP3 on either cde's or, more importantly, recorded on DVD-ROM's or DVD-RW's, meaning that you can play quite a few hours of music (30 or 40 hours) contained within the head unit, eliminating risk of taking a valuable iPod in the car.

That Becker is AWESOME! Looks just like the radios that came in German cars back in the 60's. You definitely gotta pay to play though! The Pioneer unit looks nice. It doesn't look like it receives HD Radio.

What ever happened to the concept of two knobs and a row of pushbuttons? You know, something you can operate while watching the road?

The Becker 7948 would look right at home in my '72 BMW 3.0 CSi, I actually own a couple of the radios of the period that look just like it. But, it's at least $1400.00, which includes navigation software for europe. I don't think the unit is being sold in the US, I'm not sure.

Of course, if this had RDS, iPod, Bluetooth, etc., and I had the $$$$....

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1168631262.jpg

The power booster from Radio Shack, shoved inside the glove box or screwed under the dash! :cool:

Uh.....not 50's or 60's but looks a lot like the Becker Europa II in my '76:

The Mexico:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1168649356.jpg

And another shot of it:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1168649385.jpg

By the way, how many dollars is 1500 Euro's?

Yup, that was THE setup! Jensen Triaxes kicked some serious butt 'cause they were really efficient. Lots of dB's with little input.

I'm still shopping around the internet trying to find a deck that intrigues me. Of course, then I have to go put my ears and hands on one and hope it satisfies. I keep hearing how good Eclipse is, but the little exposure I've had doesn't excite me. Nakamichi would be a great choice from a quality sound standpoint, but they're behind the times when it comes to iPods, Bluetooth, etc. Alpine still seems my best option so far.

About USD 2,000 +/-

:eek: :eek: Holy Guacamole!:eek: :eek:


Much as I love the look of that, I guess I'll never own one.

This is the best one, IMO:

http://www.audiocubes.com/category/Home,+Portable+Audio_Car+Stereo/product/Panasonic_CQ-TX5500D_Vacuum_Tube_CD_Receiver.html

I had an Eclipse installed in my 86 cab, and it was nice. My turbo has one of these Alpines in it, and I like it.

The volume knob is nice, and my ipod connects to it and is stored in the glove box and can be controlled by the deck. The colors are not too bright or ricey either.

http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=CDA-9857

Bill

Legion, that Panasonic is uber-cool! I'm actually a big fan of tube gear. My guitar amp is 1968 Fender, I've got an old McIntosh tube amp, even my o-scope uses tubes!

Bill, that Alpine 9857 is actually the unit that I've been considering the most. Good to hear that you're pleased with it as it looks like that may be the unit I end up with. Any gripes or concerns with it?

David,

With the weather, and the work I have been doing on the turbo, I honestly haven't had a lot of seat time. With that being said, I do like what I have heard with it so far. Like you said, the face kind of just flips down, and it is also removable. I haven't looked into the HD radio, and don't have any satelite radio service, I mostly just have a couple of different play lists on my ipod.

I get the car back a week from today I think, and if you want I can take some pictures for you.

Bill

Re: Does anyone make a DECENT head unit anymore????
 

just got a JVC with exactly that list


KD-G722/KD-G721

http://jvc-online.hu/bolt/images/auto/kd_g722_ok.jpg



EDIT, except Bluetooth , didn't notice that was in the list too..

I was faced with a similar dilemma with my BMW - the OEM radio actually has the brain for the on board computer so swapping it out was not an option. There was also the issue that the output signal on the OEM radio was Balanced Line

Assuming that you have a CD player already installed, you can install this:

http://www.mobileaudiocontrol.com/product.asp?Product_Id=231512&d_Id=17612&l1=17612& l2=

This allows a full speaker level conversion to preamp and it should retain the full frequency response of the CD player VS. the cheap line outputs you can buy for $30.00. This solution isn't cheap but it a hell of a lot better than these aftermarket units (as you have just now found out) This also gives you the option of an auxilary input so you could wire in your Ipod. It's also a full digital EQ.

If they make an Ipod interface that works with your factory deck you can use the LC6I Audio Control, save a bunch of cash

http://www.mobileaudiocontrol.com/product.asp?Product_Id=222456&d_Id=17612&l1=17612& l2=

No digital EQ and no aux input but has everything else...Works like a champ in my BMW



Good luck.

rjp

LC6I install in my car / E39 electronics hack
 

LC6I install where the factory BMW amp used to be (driver's side trunk)http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1168715712.jpg

BMW E39 - cut the sheetmetal behind the back seat for better bass response - where the armrest is supposed to be

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1168715734.jpg

6.5" Speaker install in the front doors - 5.25" supposed to go there. Easy fit. New tweeters mounted in top location in doors next to mirror. Factory door tweeters left unplugged

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1168715772.jpg

I just did all of this, with an Eclipse 200W 4CH amp running Boston separates up front and 5.25" CO-AX out back with a 600 x1 JBL pushing 2x10" JL Audio 10's. All controlled by LC6I

I'm finally happy with the BMW sound system. :)

Regarding Nakamichi - I called them up when I started thinking about a new head unit to see if they had plans to incorporate Sirius or XM into any of their products. They told me they currently have no plans to do so.

Hmph.... I don't understand why car audio manufacturers are so slow to adapt these days. I used to work in the audio business and back then everyone was trying to one-up each other. Now, it seems that everyone is sitting back and waiting to see who jumps first.

I have a vintage NOS Mac 406 (like above) absolutely top-o-line and no equal. it's in my '85 Targa