Alpine DVA-9860 = excellent SQ

Here is a brief, non-scientific impression of my new Alpine DVA-9860 head unit.

I purchased this HU (from a forum member) to replace my Eclipse CD-5444.  The Eclipse is a great performer but had recently developed a few glitches, such as the subwoofer output going to full output no matter where the level is set and the display deciding to just switch off now and then.  I will probably send it in for service just to have a spare.  My previous HU was a Nakamichi MB-100 changer (which is now in my wife's car) and before that I used a Nak CD-700II and a McIntosh MX406, both of which were sold to finance other hobbies such as home theater.  As you might be able to tell I value SQ over all else in my source unit.  I've never been a huge fan of Alpine, mainly because I have never particularly liked the physical design of Alpine HUs.  But on the recommendation of a couple of people I respect, I decided to give this one a try mainly because of its high-end 24-bit DAC and its 115db S/N ratio.  (The rest of my system consists of Eclipse 2-way component main speakers (also recommended by and purchased from a forum member) McIntosh MC404 main amplifier, PPI subwoofer amplifier and Tang Band subs in the rear doors, and Audio Control DQXS.)

First off, this unit has outstanding SQ when playing a disc.  I mean it is on a par with the Nakamichi and that is high praise indeed.  I would have to rank the SQ from this unit above the Eclipse, especially in terms of clarity and detail.  And since this unit plays DVD, I am able to use DVD-A discs and realize all the detail and quality of those recordings.  I was very, very impressed and have no regrets about this purchase.  I do not use the built-in amp and in fact have the IC off so I cannot rate how the HU sounds by itself.  The SQ from the radio tuner and through an Alpine KCA-121B aux input adapter was adequate, no better no worse than the Eclipse.  I may try the HD-Radio add-on to see what that sounds like.

The down side (for most users) is the HU has no EQ or crossovers built in.  I found the bass/treble quasi-parametric controls to be useful, but someone looking for a complete tune will want to use an outboard EQ.  The owner's manual is very hard to use (one example: the time setup instructions say "In Clock Priority  mode..." but there is no instruction on how to GET into "clock priority mode."  The owners manual is NOT very user friendly, especially not for a novice.)  I have never been a fan of removable face plates although some people love them.

One last positive impression is the look of this HU.  I HATE (did I mention I hate?) color screens and flashing lights and all the bling-bling crapola that has infested car audio today.  The look of this HU once installed is clean, professional and not flashy at all.  Not as clean as the Nakamichi or the McIntosh, but still far more understated than most heads on the market.  I really love the fact that the easy-to-read display tells me the radio station or the disc track number and elapsed time and that's it.  Exactly what I want a head unit to tell me.  Plus the rotary encoder is really solid feeling, almost like a volume control you might expect to find on a high-end piece of home audio gear.

If you are looking for a high-quality SQ head unit, I can now recommend the Alpines with the 24-bit DAC be placed on the short list.