Looking For A New Audio Head Unit

[CMacKenzie]

Going to buy a new head unit for my truck in the next few days and I am looking for one that will play mp3s on a cd-r or cd-rw. Any suggestions? I would like it to be satellite ready (xm or sirius) also. Things have changed since I last looked for car audio equipment(10 yrs. ago). It must have a rotary volume knob, no buttons. You can turn it up louder with a volume knob, right?



Thanks,

Charlie

 

[wcjp]

I'm partial to Kenwood stereo equipment for vehicles. The Kenwood player that plays MP3's is a little pricey. My dad just bought a Pioneer MP3 player w/remote that will also play CD/CDRW. It sounds nice in his gasser. He's able to put something like 5-8hrs of music per CD.

 

[Chipstien]

I went with the Pioneer 940 and am very happy with it. It plays MP3's and WMA's and is XM ready. I also owned a Alpine 7998 which is XM ready and plays MP3's. Both are the current top of the line for their respective company's and you can get them both for about 800 smacks. Both use a volume "knob" though if you are iffy around electronics than the Alpine is much more user friendly because the Pioneer uses "soft keys" which are buttons that change functions depending on the screen. I also own the Sony MXE-1 ( ? ) which is the high end deck with the LCD color screen but thought the sound quality and worksmanship where lacking tremendously considering it's $1200 price tag. (Now I know why I have never ran Sony products and never will again. ) I am sure these decks are out of the price range for many individuals but I don't know how the cheaper stuff is like. Oh Yeah..... I forgot that I ran the Alpine 7995 which is in the 500 range. This was a sweet deck for the money with MP3 and XM ready. I just decided at the time that I wanted more features. Remember that the 7995 is a pre-amp deck only and has no internal amplifier. If you want internal power than you need the 7894 which is in the 400 range. Awsome deck for the money and many features. Check out Alpine's website or Pioneer's website for many other options. I am not affiliated with anyone but have had lots of experience with reciever as I just finished up the stereo in my truck. Good Luck.

 

[nickleinonen]

there is one sony deck that interested me. it has a 10g hard drive internal, a standard cd drive, and also takes memory stick... looks neat, but don't know how it sounds...

 

[E7mack96]

sony deck

wasn't that one 1,999. 00 or so. I saw it in Crutchfield.

 

[Gifford]

Head unit

I just put the Pioneer DEH-P77 in my truck, it is XM ready, and its 1. 5 DIN so it fits perfectly in the OEM mount. There arent many decks under 1,000 that will play MP3, but most all of them WILL play CDr- CDRw (I know the pioneer does. ) I only paid 215. 00 (total, no shipping, no tax) for mine. If your truck has the infinity upgrade, you'll have to make some speaker changes.

 

[Patriot Diesel]

lots of head units to choose from...

I have seen many head units that will play WMA and MP3 files. Prices as cheap as $129 for a cheesy Jensen to well over a grand. I have an Aiwa MP3 player that I have been happy with considering the fact that it was under $300. I will be replacing it soon with a Alpine 7998. I have had several Alpine head units and I think they are top shelf.

 

[johnrv4]

I just installed an Alpine 7894

I just installed an Alpine CDA-7894 last week, and it seems to work great. I tried three diffferent MP3 discs, and they all worked fine. The deck has a bunch of features(still don't have half of them figured out yet). I bought mine from a dealer's website, and got it for $292. I thought that was a good price considering electronic stores around here sell it for $399 installed.

 

[Dixie Dawg]

I'm considering the Alpine 7998 mentioned above, but found it at a few place for around $550. Only thing thats keeping me from getting it is if I do I will replace the speakers with Focal components, and nobody's told me if the tweeter will fit on a-pillar behind factory grill. If it's yes, I'll buy it all today, but hate to buy then get into it and find out I can't. Anybody know?

 

[bmoeller]

Try www.crutchfield.com or call them at 800-955-3000. Their catalog even has a fitment guide for speakers and the head unit.

 

[CMacKenzie]

Thanks for all the help guys. I've decided to go with the Alpine CDA-7894. All I need to do now is some bargain hunting.



Charlie

 

[MDW]

Alpine CDA-7894 is what I got too. I have a Pioneer also and the Alpine seems to be faster from song to song. And I like the sub control better, its easier to get to on the Alpine. The pioneer is prettier though, thats why its in the wifes car... . LOL