About a year ago, I made one of my biggest mistakes in car audio. I let my Alpine 9835 go with my car when I sold it. Since then, I've slowly assembled components for a new system which I find to be pretty good, but I'm still lacking a HU that fits what I'm looking for. Here are the features about the 9835 that I liked :

-No-nonsense looks, biolite display, no plasticky feel to it
-Huge adjustability (time correction, integrated crossovers, 5 band P-EQ, ...)
-Quick search feature
-MP3 playback
-3 preouts
-Ease of navigation
-Sound quality

I've looked around, not really finding something I like. The newer Alpine units look flimsy and seem to have mixed reviews, and I'm tempted by the Pioneer Premier DEH-P880PRS but for some unknown reason in the back of my head, I just can't seem to commit (on top of the fact that I hate Pioneer's detachable face system ).

Some people will say that I would be better off having a seperate EQ and electronic crossover, that the SQ will be better. I just want something that can do all of the above, and be pretty good at it.... like my old 9835

Opinions on car decks are just like a$$holes, everyone has one and they are always different. However if good sq and adjustability is your goal, have you looked at other companies like Eclipse?

The Eclipse CD7100 should make your short list right away for this application.

http://www.eclipse-web.com/cd/cd7100overviews.html

Clarion DRZ9255

Dual 24-bit / 96 kHz Sampling Digital-to-Analog Burr-Brown Converters and DSP
Built-In 4-Way Crossovers
5-Band Parametric Equalizer
Digital Time Alignment for Each Line Level Output0.7 Cm per Step Digital Arrival Time Alignment
8-Channel/4-Volt Gold Plated Oxygen-Free Copper RCA Outputs
0.5dB-Step Electronic Volume Adjustment Circuit
Copper Plated Chassis
External DC/DC Converter
CeNET Control of Optional CD Changer, TV Tuner and iPod Interface
Two 2-Channel AUX Inputs
Zinc Die-Cast Faceplate
Fiber Optic Input/Output
Vacuum Florescent Display
18FM/6AM Presets
Remote Control Included

Blaunpunkt Bremen MP76



SD/MMC: Integrated SD-/MMC card slot
Digital Sound Adjustment (DSA Max): Digital self-adjusting equalizer with 108 bands
2-way frequency divider
Preamp-Out 4-channel (5 V), gold plated
Internal power amp on/off

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Please SQ'se my SPL'ing

was looking the Clarion DRZ9255 but i dont think it does mp3 playback, i have the prs 880 and love it except i wish it was easier to do 3-way plus sub.

By the way, I do not need an amplified deck, the whole thing is run with amps. Also, it can be a used model.

Please elaborate.

the premier unit is a very good choice, we run that in our caddilac and its a highly adjustable hu, very easy to use and the faceplate looks great and isnt cheep looking

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BUILDING STUFF IS COOL ..... BREAKING IT IS MUCH FUNNER !

If you dont mind used, Alpine 9855, 9853, 9835, 9833, 9815, and 9813 all have basically the same adjustments.

The prs880 seems like a real nice piece, and the drz9255 is real nice too, but pretty damned pricy.

well i have 6.5's in the doors, 4's n' tweets in the kick pods....the 880 only has 3 outputs (in standard mode they are front, rear and sub) in network mode they are low, mid and high) so to be fully active id be short changing at least one of the sets of speakers on frequency.....so i have the "front" going to a passive crossover running the midrange and tweets, and "rear" going to the 6.5 inch midbass, and "sub" going obviously to my sub....this make it difficult to time align and stage.

but for two-way plus sub its an awesome deck (and maybe it is for my purpose too but i just haven't figured it out yet. anyone with ideas id love to hear them)

Split your 3rd output to your midbase amp and to your sub amp. Use the sub amp's unboard lowpass filter. Done.

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Please SQ'se my SPL'ing