Building a Quality Stereo System, Suggestions?

reliable cd-r playback with the ability to decode MP3s and display ID3 tags would be nice. Something of which a Mcintosh, nor a Nakamichi will do :-(

The Regular kenwood deck may not be the greatest, but the kenwood excelon deck is very nice, I have 2 the kdc - x859 and x869. There displays aren't even that nice, I've nicer displays for even cheaper

I have the deh-p6500 pioneer, other than the low rca output voltage- 2 volts- its workin really nice.  plus that lil screen entertains the passengers.lolI need quality equipment, feel free to donate.

But then with Kenwood and Pioneer it seems as though you get back on par with Sony. I wish I could just borrow a bunch of headunits and compare their outputs on the scope.

Kenwood and Pioneer, are better than sony.  I would go with the Kenwood X969.  Offers internal crossover and is a MP3 and WMA player.  You can also add screensavers if you want something to entertain your passengers with out adding a screen.

HOLD UP... lol ... pioneer, schmemwood? Get an alpine deck, mine cost me just below 500$ and it plays mp3's and it has a great display, doesn't look half bad, and i has a fully adjustible 5 band eq , with adjustible band freq, width, and level. SOUNDS GREAT. just go alpine or eclipse if you dont relly want to do that relly high end stuffeverything stolen :(

Workin on a new system :)

Peace in the middle east

Stay away from sony!!!! They really don't make the quality products that the othe guys would make Pioneer, alpine, and kenwood make way better products than sony.   You would even have better sound quality using a jensen or clarion. I'm in the mode now where every component has to "match". So if you were to ask me, I would go with an eclipse mp3 head unit (model 8053), eclipse amps, eclipse components, with eclipse subs. But if you don't want to use eclipse speakers and amps. I would use an eclipse head unit, with jl audio amps/subs and MB Quart components. Duane...

If you think you're confused, imagine how you feel.   

All this hype about head units is oh so true. Take a ride to the stereo shop listen and look at all the HU's. Consider your budget. Get what you think suits you. I've used kenwood HU's for 15 years the only problem I had with them is the inside lights on a cassette HU went out. Pioneer CD HU sucked. Alpine has good quality. Have yet to experience Eclipse but would probably be my next purchase. 2003 Silverado Ext. cab

Kenwood mp922

Kenwood kgc6042a EQ

JL Audio xr650-csi

MB Quart PSC 213

JL Audio 300/4

pair of JL Audio 12w6v2

JL Audio 1000/1

Money, not a question. If Mcintoshes decoded MP3s and displayed ID3 tags, I'd already have it. As it stands... I don't believe all the knock on Sonys. My current deck is a Sony, and it's driving a pair of alumapro subs and Infinity Kappa perefects all the way around. I'm VERY satisfied with the sq of it. However (like I said, money is not of question) I'm stepping it up a notch. I'm going with the best of the best components, the best of the best amplifiers, the best of the best electricals (by the way, the equalizer on the deck is absolutely unnecessary). This is intended to be as good as it gets maintaining factory location and stage in a car. With all the conflicting opionions (except everyone seems to agree Sony sucks) I've decided to go with a Sony. I've managed to scrounge up an older model CDX C90 new in box that I will use. It doesn't decode MP3s onboard, but Sony makes MP3 decoding changers that will display track titles. Other than that, no frills, no fancy displays (still very elagent and stylish), no onboard amp... it's perfect. thanks for everyones advice, sorry I didn't use any of it :-(