Well, I've been thinking about upgrading my head unit. After replacing the front speakers, adding two amps & two subs, I think I should upgrade the head unit.

Problem is, it's been a few years since I shopped around. I want an in-dash MP3 / CD player. I don't want XM radio (not available around here).

What manufacturers offer MP3 players. I'd like to pay about $200 to 300US.

 

the coolest MP3's I have seen are the Visteon units. They look the same as a Ford CD deck from the facory, but play MP3's as well. I find this an advantage as they look factory and reduce the risk of theft. Have a look and decide for yourself.

www.evisteon.com

 

I have the Pioneer DEH-7400MP, and I am very happy with it. I bought it from onlinecarstereo.com, it was about $280/US

Pioneer:
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/Pi...,21416,00.html

onlinecarstereo
https://www.onlinecarstereo.com/cara....asp?sku=11953

 

HU found a www.broadwaycomputer.com, currently backorded but only $222.

 

I did some searches on that Pioneer. It looks like a pretty awesome unit.

They have the 740MP out now that is supposedly a little better. It has a 4V preout instead of 2V.

I found the 740MP in stock at thecameraclub.com for $269.99. Hmmm. I just might have to buy it.

 

The online places have it already, but I did not find it in ONE single local store. I checked everything from Best Buy and Circuit City to the local audio shops. NONE of them had it. Several asked how I got it already and wanted a "test drive".

 

There is a nice looking visteon on the classifieds section of this site, it is one of the mp3 players that looks like the in-dash stock unit. The way I read it, it says this will control my factory changer, too, will it? I suppose it should, because it's Visteon, I went back to the site listed on the advertisement and it had a lot of different colors schemes, it looked really good. If it works with the Premium sound system, I would probably consider it.

 

OK, I've ordered a Pioneer DEH-740MP CD/MP3 player. I read lots of reviews and it's supposed to be a pretty awesome unit. It has 3 sets of high-volt pre-outs. So now my subs will be running off their own channel....

I got it from CarStereoTime.com for $240 plus shipping.