Well my 9 year old Sony ES head unit finally kicked the bucket today. It's been in three vehicles so I really can't complain. I'm looking for input on what to replace it with.

I have some requirements... I like simple, no frills stuff.. I want the functionality, but I don't need 1324 colors and screen savers and whatnot. I have/had three 10 disc CD changers hooked up to my Sony.. but going forward I think an MP3 player would be the better way to go.

A friend of mine has an Alpine CDA-9857 with the Full Speed iPod connection. That's the kind of thing I'm looking for. Control the iPod from the headunit, get all the display and everything on the headunit. Leave the iPod in the glove box.

I have NO plans for satelite radio. I don't care about the internal amplifier. It would be nice to have an internal crossover and seperate RCA outputs for front, rear, and sub. If that is the case, the crossover would need to be adjustable, not fixed at one point.

The rest of the system consists of a crossfire 100x2 amp running a pair of MB Quart 5x7 components, a crossfire 50x2 amp running a pair of JL Audio 5x7 coaxials, and a crossfire 200x1 amp running a JL Audio stealthbox.

Oh yeah... another good question.. what's the NICEST looking kit for the superduty? I'm not thrilled with the one I use currently, looks like I stuck an aftermarket radio in the dash..

I guess we could also throw in any iPod advice. I don't have one yet. Basically are there any I should avoid? I know I've read about displays breaking and batteries not lasting very long in certain models, but I don't remember which one.

That oughta cover it.

-Jay

I just realized for some reason my signature isn't there anymore. Truck is an '04 supercab XLT trim.

 

well i would definetly recommend any of the alpine headunits, i have used them before and have no complaints. they even had some high end models that dont have internal amplification (not sure if they still make these or not) they had some crazy sound processing instead. as far as ipods, the newer video ipods screens are easier to scratch. i bought a refurbished unit right off of apples website and saved a couple of bucks.

 

Why not take a look at http://www.crutchfield.com/ and do a search for your specific vehicle. They also have pictures of the install kits. They give really great descriptions of the radio units with pictures. If you want info on iPods that is there too. They are a "ONE" stop shop...

My favorite head units are:
Kenwood (ie: Kenwood KDC-MP532U )
Alpine
Sony
...in that order.

Good luck...

biz

_______________________________
2003 F250 SD SC 142" XLT FX4 V10 Auto 4x4 3.73s

 

I'll admit I haven't looked at crotchfield's site in years. Last I looked all they did for "specs" was regurgitate the manufacturer's info. The only thing they were good for back then was determining what size speakers were in a vehicle without having to pull the door pannel. I will take a look.

I'm not really looking for the manufactuerer's specs.. I'm looking for info like what Bobbo shared about the video ipods screens scratching... I'm sure they don't list that on the website.

Ugh.. yeah crutchfield is the same as it ever was. The ONE kit they carry for my truck is almost the same as the one I have. Back in the day someone made a really nice metal kit that sat a little further back in the dash, held like rock, and looked a lot nicer than the standard $30 metra kit.

-Jay

 

wait you want quailty radio fit kits

i have never had one i was actually happy with, i think i might try and squezze a double din radio into my trucks opening, i have yet to measure for it though

 

I am also looking at the 9857 for my Camry. I Think I'm going to get that. My appointment is tomorrow at 1:00

 

I just picked up an Alpiine 9856 and it does the job fine for $200 couldn't beat the deal

Now all I need is some seperates and a 4 channel amp and I am set. Built my own stealthbox a week or so ago and it sound great.

The 9857 should be a sweet I don't know if it is worth the extra 200 bucks though.

 

I'm not looking at the 9857, Im looking at the 9856. I was typing to fast.

 

Good call guys! The 9856 seems to have the exact same specs as the 9857. Seems the 7's two line display and included IR remote are the only two selling points. I do like to have a remote, so I'll find out what they cost, but I'll still probably save a bit going with the 6.

-Jay

Edit: Remote is $20!