i'm looking at getting a new deck, upgrading from my Alpine CDA-9805, and this one looks good for what i need

i'm got a full stereo, 3 RCA's required, and want the ipod feature

and opinions on this deck?

I have the 9855, looks like the difference is the 9856 only has 2V pre-outs.

That shouldn't be a problem if you have good amps, good RCA's and a good installation.

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Alpine CDA-9887, TUA-T500HD, CHA-S634, CHA-1204 & KCA-410C
Pioneer TS-A6981, 6 x GM-5100T
Kicker 2 x CVR15,
MBQ RCE-216
PG MX2
Soundgate LanStar1
PAC SWI-ALP

is the 9857 worth the extra money?

Is Alpine your only consideration?

__________________
Forbidden Audio Ltd. (1995)
Rob Atkinson

Eclipse / MB Quart / Soundstream / Power Acoustik / Parrot / Pioneer / Pioneer Premiere / Kenwood Excelon / Morel / Focal / Scosche / EFX / MTX / Bass Slammer / Audio Control / Blaupunkt / ARC / Stinger / Streetwires / Metra / Pac Audio / Bassworx / JBL / Infinity / Compustar Pro / Audiovox / Clifford / Autopage / Fusion / CDT and whatever else you need.

ya kinda, i want the straigh forward Ipod connection and i have one now that i love but is givng me buzz and "alternator whine" like crazy, i believe it's from a bad internal ground??

haven't listened to music in about a week

Eclipse offers a Ipod interface that is a direct input to the cd player. It allows the cd player to control the Ipod and charge the Ipod. No need to even see the ipod. Based on my experience the Eclipse CD4000 + IPC106 is definitely something for you to consider. It will also up your preout voltage to 5 volt, 55 ohms on the front / rear / subwoofer sections. www.eclipse-web.com if this interests you.

__________________
Forbidden Audio Ltd. (1995)
Rob Atkinson

Eclipse / MB Quart / Soundstream / Power Acoustik / Parrot / Pioneer / Pioneer Premiere / Kenwood Excelon / Morel / Focal / Scosche / EFX / MTX / Bass Slammer / Audio Control / Blaupunkt / ARC / Stinger / Streetwires / Metra / Pac Audio / Bassworx / JBL / Infinity / Compustar Pro / Audiovox / Clifford / Autopage / Fusion / CDT and whatever else you need.

and what is the cost for that head unit?

Pioneer also makes awesome decks with ipod compatibility. Supposedly the P880PRS is amazing SQ, but I bought a P8600MP off of ebay recently, can't wait for it to arrive, auto time alignment, 3x 5v preouts, full color display, awesome

is the extra money for the 9857 work it?

any good canadian online retailers for alpine?

I'd wait for the new lineup to come out, CDA9885. then you can have highpass, and 4v preouts or even the 9887 with the whole time correction, 24bit DAC, 7 band graphic or 5 band parametric EQ, High Pass/Low Pass filters and the audessy auto tuning feature!
9885 (which is out soon) will probably go for about $339ish and the 9887 (which will come out around may/june) will be about $479ish

*edit*
hell, if you just want to use the ipod, check THIS out, the IDA-X001. No cd transport, just ipod and usb interface...24bit dac and it DOES NOT use the dac on the ipod, uses the 24 bit...also alpine claims it is the fastest ipod deck by far!
http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=iDA-X001
should be around the same price as the 9887

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2001 Mazda B3000 Reg. Cab.
Alpine CDA9815
Alpine SPX-177R
Eclipse EA3422