Getting New Head Unit, need help

Compared to an Eclipse, no thank you. Even though a cd player has a built in amplifier that will not used does not mean that you should not consider it. Eclipse used to build their cd players with no built in amplifiers, the problem here was for the person that wanted to build their system up a step at a time and buy the right equipment, they could not use the cd player until they bought an amp. Over 90% of purchasers do not use a fully amplified system, for those of us that do, ignore the built in amp, it was not put there for us anyhow.

Eclipse uses a non clipping low impedence pre-out on all channels. This means that it makes the full voltage that it claims at 0db (full volume). It further means that with a properly amplified and adjusted system, the cd player will not send a clipped signal out to the amplifier. Eclipse is one of the few companies that build this type of pre-out, why, simple, it cost more $. Low impedence improves sound quality, however the tradeoff here is noise can enter a system relatively easy, to solve this, Eclipse again threw $ at it and solved the problem. Panasonic has a 5 volt 60 ohm cd player (actually more than 1) and side by side comparison to an Eclipse is not contest, the Eclipse plays cleaner, louder and will not clip.

Stay the HECK away from SONY! I never knew what I was missing until I swapped my top-o-the-line Sony for a real head unit. "Fisher Price" quality in comparison to Eclipse. If I were you, I would get an Alpine or an Eclipse. You won't be sorry.

I have noticed that there are quite a few of the refurbed kenwood  959's going through e-bay, so that would tell me that there is a definite problem with the model. Otherwise so many would not have been repaired. Always buy where you get a warranty, but having to send it in once or five times is not cool to me. If I pay good money for a product I want it to be good quality.

The Alpine CDA 7995 is VERY NICE. It was my second choice after the Eclipse.

Private message Forbidden and he will direct you to I think "BBERMAN1" who has the US Eclipse connection.

the CDA-9830 or the CDA-9831. Either of these would be good.

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-1Ce7anyJHOg/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?s=0&c=3&g=300&I=500CDA9830&o=m&a=0&cc=01&avf=N

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-1Ce7anyJHOg/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?s=0&c=3&g=300&I=500CDA9831&o=m&a=0&cc=01&avf=N

If your serious, go for the cda-9835, you can change the display colours to about 100 different ways.  It has the alpine amp link where you can control up to 8 alpine digital amps right from the deck. ( by controling i mean, playing with the x-over, boost/cut, bass width, center frequencie, , , you can monitor the temps, voltage, amp draw, and so forth, or each individual amp)   It gives you the option of turning off the internal amp so you can put more of the power into shooting a clear signal out the rca's.   It has a dedicated non-fading sub pre out, and with that you can fully adjust the boost and cut of just the subs and only the subs at the push of a button and a turn of a knob.

I would go with the Eclipse if possible because of its sound quality. The alpine is a good alternative but the Eclipse is still better I think(unless you just want a ton of features). Really though turning off the internal amp will not give you a notice able difference in sound quality that you can hear.

I like eclipse quality, they make excellent audio products. I have had eclipse HU's, amps and speakers and have never had problems with quality in sound or build with them. My only probelm with eclipse HU's is that you need a seperate module with the higher end units to play MP3's, I have a real beef with this as the module does a whole lot of other things that I am not interested in. I don't feel that I should have to shell out extra cash just to get a feature that is pretty much basic these days. I know on the lower end models you can play mp3's out of the box but I want the crossover and eq feature of the upper end models. I personally own an Alpine CDA-9815 and I absolutely love this HU, the sound quality is excellent and it has great features, the built in crossover is awesome and the non fading subwoofer preout is top notch. I have owned many HU's from different companies, Alpine, eclipse, Kenwood(the worst), pioneer(pretty good for price) and I have to say that the Alpine's have always ended up being my favorites.

P.S. I don't see how the eclipse ESN system is effective at all, ok great they replace my radio if it is stolen. What about the cost of replacing my windows and having it tinted again. Thiefs don't know or don't care that the radio will be useless when they rip it out, they will always find some idiot to buy it and you are left with the damage to your car. I will take the detachable face anytime.

Have you looked at the Alpine CVA-1004. Its cheaper then the Pioneer and has more options for expansion. Alpine CVA-1004

ksin291 wrote:

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P.S. I don't see how the eclipse ESN system is effective at all, ok great they replace my radio if it is stolen. What about the cost of replacing my windows and having it tinted again. Thiefs don't know or don't care that the radio will be useless when they rip it out, they will always find some idiot to buy it and you are left with the damage to your car. I will take the detachable face anytime.

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Any cd player or tape deck or dvd system can get stolen, you will still have to have the window fixed and tinted regardless of the brand. ESN does work and it works better every year for more and more people find out about it. It usually stops the dedicated and knowledgeable stereo thief, but has nothing to do with the crack addict that must get gear to sell for his daily fix. This is the person that does not care what is in the vehicle, at least Eclipse will replace the head unit in the first year should this happen, what other company will do this. A detach face is no guarantee that theft will not happen, nor is ESN, it is just prove fact from insurance statistics compiled from the numerous claims in the industry that ESN works better than a detach face. Start a poll on here to find out how many people are religous about taking that faceplate with them all of the time, and I do mean all of the time. I sell both types and have sold all types of anti theft systems in the last 16 years and let me tell you, the best in order of deterrence based on isurance claims are ESN, Keycard, Codelock, Quick release, Detach Face, permant mount. This covers a 20 year period. Stereo theft happened long before detach face was around, why do you think they brought it out in the first place? There is another option on the horizon as well, transponders may find their way into headunits next as well, why because the manufacturers know that people are not religous about taking there facplates with them.