Head Units - What do you use?- Favorites

What is everyones favorite head unit? What model do you use now and why? What makes your unit the right one for your application? 

I personally need a detatchable face, 3 pre-outs (I like having level controls in the HU for front, rear, and sub), EQ, preferably more than one programmable EQ built in, crossovers for sub and highs(even though amps have them too), and definitely no internal NOISE from crappy electronics.

I know people hate Sony's, but I have been Really pleased with my Sony CDX-CA750X. It does what I want, but from what I am told sony electronics do not do the best job. My sound system right now is Awesome and I am satisfied. But I have heard the difference between mine and a Nakamichi. The Nak does make a difference but they don't make a detatchable face model and to me they look just like a Kragen/Checker/Shucks/Pep Boys Kraco or Jenson $19.99 special, cosmetically.  I don't get why some of the best has to look so cheap. I know I'm not supposed to care about looks when it comes to sound, but I do.

What do Y'all think?

Angel

Alpine and Eclipse are the best, but alpine leads in useful features.  Like sub control, time corection, cross overs, eqs, and all that.  Just to get all the features you want, you gota fork out about $400 or more.

I personally had a cda-9815, then sold it, and put on order a cda-9835 which i should have in a month.

I use Eclipse head units for all my personal installs. They have amazing sq, and a dynamic sound that you just don’t get with any other manufacture. I would also looking into Nakamichi and Alpine. But I would suggest that you go to your local shops and listen to the different manufactures and see what sounds best to you.

I've heard great things about Eclipse heads. But do they make a model with detatchable face?

I checked out a Kenwood KDC-MP922  and an Alpine CDA-7995 (no internal power which I would prefer)

Both sound great and offer what I want. But the crossovers in the Alpine are not as adjustable.

Anybody else have any suggestions before I buy? 

A 

Eclipse heads do not have a detach face, they do not need them, nor does anyone else. Many manufacturers jumped on the bandwagon when Pioneer brought out the detach face in the late 80's. The problem is that a thief assumes that if there is a detach face, it is probably in the car and there is probably a stereo system attached to it. In 8 years of retailing Eclipse I have had 2 insurance claims for stolen Eclipse heads vs 6 a month for Panasonic detach face. Of these 2 claims, the first was a stolen vehicle, his cd player was part of it. The second resulted in a fraud charge for the owner. Realistically this puts my store at a 100% theft rate, not one cd player was actually stolen for being a cd player.

If you enjoy your music and want to listen to it, nothing will sound as nice as an Eclipse. They have a far superior warranty (3 years) and theft deterrence (free replacement if stolen in 1st year). They have many cd player with 3 pre-outs and high voltage non clipping low impedance preouts, they also have time correction and other bells and whisltes that mostly do not get rung and blown. Some cd players offer crossovers in the cd player, who cares, most amps have them built in already. Internal amp or not has nothing to do with sound quality, the same with glow in the dark, multi color lcd screensaver displays. All of these gimmicks do nothing but suck up your dollars, buy an Eclipse and listen to the drastic difference that a good cd player will make to your system. It is amazing at what a cd player that is not built to hit a price point is actually capable of doing.