New head unit advice needed

[bigrobrn]

Ok, my Clarion DXZ835MP cd player just gave up the ghost. I have had nothing but problems with the POS cd player from day one. It only likes certain burned cd's and gives a lot of error 3 and error 6 messages. It finally ate my wives Carrie Underwood cd and will not spit it back out regardless of what I try. So now I have a good excuse to upgrade!!!! YIPEEEE! With her permission too!!! I have narrowed it down to Pioneer Premier, Eclipse, and Alpine. (Not really narrowed down). I am running 2 amps - a 4 channel RF and a Memphis MC1000D. I like the Eclipse CD3000, I just don't know if it will have the audio controls I need for fine tuning. I don't want to spend over 350.00 I don't need dvd, sat radio, navigation, etc. Just a good cd player (do I need 24 bit DAC?) with hi volt outs (min 3 pair) sub level control. I am very confused with all the options out there. Any suggestions welcome. Rob

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[brypink2]

Originally Posted by bigrobrn

Ok, my Clarion DXZ835MP cd player just gave up the ghost.
I have had nothing but problems with the POS cd player from day one. It only likes certain burned cd's and gives a lot of error 3 and error 6 messages. It finally ate my wives Carrie Underwood cd and will not spit it back out regardless of what I try. So now I have a good excuse to upgrade!!!! YIPEEEE! With her permission too!!!

I have narrowed it down to Pioneer Premier, Eclipse, and Alpine. (Not really narrowed down).

I am running 2 amps - a 4 channel RF and a Memphis MC1000D.
I like the Eclipse CD3000, I just don't know if it will have the audio controls I need for fine tuning. I don't want to spend over 350.00 I don't need dvd, sat radio, navigation, etc. Just a good cd player (do I need 24 bit DAC?) with hi volt outs (min 3 pair) sub level control.

I am very confused with all the options out there. Any suggestions welcome.

Rob

All 3 of those brands would suit you well in that price range. I would just go look at them and see which one you like best.

Eclipse 8455 or 8445 are GREAT HU's and can be had for that price or less. They are last years model though. You can get a Eclipse CD5000 on Ebay for $50 more...and that's a smokin' HU!

I'm a big Alpine fan, but don't like the glide touch units. I would like at an Alpine that has processor control like the 9860, it can be had at your price range on Ebay. I know it has DVD, but nothing wrong with having more options, you can expand in the future. If you get one with processor control (and toslink connection) you will not be disappointed if you add the H701 (kinda expensive @ $350 on Ebay), it's audio bliss in my opinion.

[bigrobrn]

Thanks Bryan. Its easy for me to get confused with all the options out there. I want a good clear sound, 5v or higher rca outs, with some good crossover options. I really like having a sub level control on the HU also. Now that I've got the Memphis 1000 on my Arc 12", man that thing sounds good.

I am going to give a good look at the eclipse cd-8445/8455 on ebay. Looks to be in my price range.

I appreciate any advice.

[brypink2]

Originally Posted by bigrobrn

Thanks Bryan. Its easy for me to get confused with all the options out there. I want a good clear sound, 5v or higher rca outs, with some good crossover options. I really like having a sub level control on the HU also. Now that I've got the Memphis 1000 on my Arc 12", man that thing sounds good.

I am going to give a good look at the eclipse cd-8445/8455 on ebay. Looks to be in my price range.

I appreciate any advice.

Don't worry about the 5 volt pre-outs 9although the Eclipse have them or higher, can't remember). Anyway, most system won't use more than 2 volts anyway.

Another way around that is with Zapco amps (you should have known it was coming). Zapco use Symbilink which is balanced lines. Zapco Reference line amps can be had for great prices on Ebay. Although, I know you have your amps, just another option if you find a HU that you like and has 2 volt pre-outs.

My W200 has 2 volt pre-outs and my system is fine.

[bigrobrn]

What is that large grey box that I see attached to the back of every Eclipse cd player?

I wonder if I'll have enough room behind my dash for all that!!

Rob

[nothinbutaford]

thats part of the power supply they take it off of the main board to resist noise. In my opinion the eclipse has the best sound quality over any other deck in your price range. And before I get beat up I have spend hours of useless ab testing. Part of the reason I am so biased.

[bigrobrn]

Bry, what did you do with your Alpine IVA-d310? Is that your old unit?

[brypink2]

Originally Posted by bigrobrn

Bry, what did you do with your Alpine IVA-d310? Is that your old unit?

I sold it...and put the new W200 in last week.

nuthinbutaford - I kinda agree about the eclipse. The last Eclipse HU I had was a 8051...love it. But, an Alpine w/ a H701 combo is sounds awesome.

[bigrobrn]

Just installed my Eclipse 8445 Saturday.

Took me 3 days to finally figure out all the options.
Nice HU!!!!

Scored it for 280.00 shipped to my door.