Car Head Unit recommendations

[Tattie 0]

Hi folks,

 

my Kenwood head unit decided to give up the ghost and frag my CD multi-changer at the same time. Power circuit tuned for maximum smoke! well it was 6 years old! Radio bit still works after a bit of 'bodging'

 

So I am now in the market for a new system. I have a portable mini disk player so I was considering getting a mini-disk head unit but its not essential. Still got the bog standard speakers in at the mo but want to be able to beef up the bass a bit

 

I like the look of the new Sony head units, especially as I fancy getting hold of the remote stalk. Also heard that the Alpine systems with the AI-net are supposed to be good.

 

Other than that I am open to suggestions. Tried hunting for a decent site that does reviews but no luck. Can you guys help me out?

[cheesy 0]

What are u looking at in a unit?

Whats your budget?

 

Personally i would keep away from sony, there good but if u were to go for alpine or pioneer u would tell the difference in sound quality

[G-Lader 0]

.....Parts for sale......Kenwood mask & ten disc.....£110 - Id suggest that

[Tattie 0]

Basically Cheesy, I'm looking at a CD multichanger package. CDR compatible and maybe MP3, possibly with a mini-disk front end.

 

At least one pre-out for expansion if I decide to beef up my bass. If I go for a sony I want to be able to use one of those remote stalks (Had OEM one in my last few cars).

 

Budget around £400 max. I've seen Sony packages in Halfords at £350, so you MUST be able to get them cheaper elsewhere.

 

There are just that many Head units out there, including 'end of line' ones, I was looking for some decent info other than Manufacturers info. Is there a 'Car Hifi Monthly' or something similiar? A review website?

[brookescourt 0]

caraudiodirect

Try the above, they have a shop & forum so you should get some help and ideas.

HTH

[markTTC 0]

How about a Dension DH-100 MP3 Hard disk player (20 GB - about 250 CDs!). This has got to be the way to go for the future. Only £399 so it's in your budget.

 

http://www.gadget-gopher.co.uk/data/563263922883.shtml

 

HTH

 

Cheers

Mark

[Tattie 0]

Looks good but its not for me!

I want to be able to just drop a CD in and play it. It normally takes me ages to get round to burning/copying tracks to/from a PC and I want to at least be able to listen to CDs until then.

[markTTC 0]

I hear what you say Tattie, but I don't think it takes as long as you think to upload a CD on to it. My GF's ipod setup can have a CD converted to MP3 and transfered in less than 3 minutes - impressive stuff.

[cheesy 0]

This is the top Sony unit avalible

 

Sony Radio/MD MDX-M690 Radio/MD, RDS, Removable Active Black Panel, EQ7, MDLP, Changer Control, 3xPreouts, 4x52Watts. £349.99.

 

Sony also do a MD Changer.

 

Me mates got an alpine md unit with 12 disc changer but they don't seem to list it anymore

[dubster82 0]

Quality?

 

Alpine.

 

For quality and looks for the style of the Corrado Dash, i have a JVC KD-SH909R in black or silver, cant get it now.

 

Cash? 6 disc in the headunit? std. looking? NAKAMICHI. 8)

[stevemac 0]

Tattie_G60 - you should have had a better look at my setup while we were at Donnington Park.

 

Sony X-plod single CD + 2 x Sound Lab amps, MDF boot floor & parcel shelf, 12 speakers..............

 

Alpine have a good sound - so long as you can cope with the facia.

 

Have to agree with you on the Nakamichi Brian - top stuff

[Sanj 0]

I'm also considering putting in a new head unit, done some reading and Alpine comes out tops always, however also been told that the Nakamichi and Becker units are top class to, but pricey.

 

I get "Total Car Audio" magazine which is published every 2 months from WHsmiths, its the only magazine I'm aware of.

[cheesy 0]

Nakamichi and Becker units are top.

sound quality is very very good

[Tattie 0]

Cheers for the info guys.

 

I think it time I went to visit one of the 'specialist' shops to see all the possible head units and get the latest literature. Lets face it some of them look pug ugly.

 

Going to have to wait until the new year though.

 

Thanks

[joebrent 0]

id go for an alpine, the build quality is excellent, sound quality is top notch and the black ones with green illumination look the part in a corrado!!

[del68 0]

MStation rules!!!!!!!!!!!! Find one on Ebay for £150.00 These systems are fantastic! Mates got one in his 328csi and it's brilliant, 16000 .... yes 16000 tracks all available at the touch of a button. drag and drop via USB on your PC or laptop. The best bolt on money can buy! Just need a half decent headunit to connect it too

[andycowuk 0]

JVC KD-sh909r (or is current equiv)

 

It has a 3.5 mm Aux jac on its front which you could plug md player into, also plays MP3 files from cd.

[Wob 0]

I'd agree with the majority and say Alpine is by far the best quality before you get into silly money. my head unit and six disk cost me about £450 and its still wicked a year on, you can get a credit card remote which is very user-friendly and a lot easier than other systems. also their speakers are good, I have there type R 5.5 mids and oil filled tweeters and they sing, they actually pick up stuff you wouldn't hear before. in an ICE shop offer cash as the mark up is very high ( a mate of mine works in one) staff get a good discount so befriend the fitter and get him to buy it for you and fit it on a sunday and save a few quid.

[stevemac 0]

in an ICE shop offer cash as the mark up is very high

 

Around 40% on Kenwood & Sony - not sure on other makes but it will be fairly similar.