Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

You are here: MacNN Forums > Community > MacNN Lounge > CD Head Unit recommendations

CD Head Unit recommendations
Thread Tools
memento
Mac Elite
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Upstate NY (cow country)
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 12, 2007, 10:01 AM
 
I know we have some audio geeks here, so hopefully I can learn something new. My current head unit has died. The CD player won't play, but the radio still works. I've never had a CD player last longer than 5 years. I don't want much from it, just play CDs, sound great, and last a long time.

Here's what I need:
preamp outputs
single CD
high quality sound
price <$300
when you're at the last song of a CD, but don't want to hear it, I want to skip forward 1 song and start at the beginning of the CD rather than having to skip backwards for 12 songs.

some nice-to-have features:
remote
aux/iPod input
bluetooth

I don't want Sony, Kenwood, or Clarion. They have all failed for me. Blaupunkt was good, but they don't seem to have a single CD player. They seem to be geared towards MP3 and multi-changers.

Thanks!
"Destroy your ego. Trust your brain. Destroy your beliefs. Trust your divinity." -Danny Carey

MacPro Quad 2.66, G4 MDD dual 867, 23" Cinema Display and 17" LCD, G4 Quicksilver dual 800, 12" Powerbook 867, iMac 300 Grape, B&W G3/300 with G4/450 running yellowdog, iPod 5GB, iPod mini, PowerCenter 150, Powercenter 132 tower, Performa 6116, Quadra 700, MacSE, LC II, eMate 300
     
Goldfinger
Professional Poster
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Belgium
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 12, 2007, 10:36 AM
 
Pioneer

iMac 20" C2D 2.16 | Acer Aspire One | Flickr
     
Dakarʒ
Professional Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: A House of Ill-Repute in the Sky
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 12, 2007, 10:37 AM
 
Panasonic, and not a fan of Pioneer.
     
mdc
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NY²
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 12, 2007, 11:44 AM
 
If you have space for a Double DIN the Scion iPod Headunit is really nice. I don't know if it works with all cars or what (I'm clueless on car stereos) but it's a nice headunit. It'll show your iPod contents and let you browse the iPod on it's screen. It supports cd changers, satellite radio, etc, etc.

I found this one on ebay. You can get an idea of the look of it from there.
     
residentEvil
Professional Poster
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Detroit
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 12, 2007, 11:52 AM
 
Originally Posted by mdc View Post
If you have space for a Double DIN the Scion iPod Headunit is really nice. I don't know if it works with all cars or what (I'm clueless on car stereos) but it's a nice headunit. It'll show your iPod contents and let you browse the iPod on it's screen. It supports cd changers, satellite radio, etc, etc.

I found this one on ebay. You can get an idea of the look of it from there.
usually it might take another wiring harness/modification of one to take say, a dodge/chevy factory unit and put it in a Ford; for an example. i would think you could do that with a Scion unit too.
     
zerostar
Mac Elite
Join Date: Jan 2005
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 12, 2007, 11:53 AM
 
I always get Alpine, the last one I had went 10 years and this one I have now (CD, mp3, wma, ipod & satellite ready with a Sirius Alpine unit) has lasted 3 years so-far and ran around $250 or so. The sound is so much better than stock and it puts out 50x4 which is perfect for the 6x9s I added in the rear, It also has 2 RCA outs and a rear ipod input you just need the $29 cable and everything is on screen.

It was something like this:
Alpine CDA-9883 CD receiver with MP3/WMA/AAC playback at Crutchfield.com
But obviously a 3yr older model.
     
memento  (op)
Mac Elite
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Upstate NY (cow country)
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 12, 2007, 01:19 PM
 
I didn't want to post what I was looking at, but Alpine was high up on my list. Looking at the 9883 and 9885. They have some great specs and a s/n ratio that's much higher than the rest. I don't really care about it's internal amp but I love the fact that you can turn off the internal amp if you are using an external.

No OEM stuff. no matter how cool it looks.

Panasonic or Pioneer are close to each other in my book. Not the greatest, but get the job done. But that's just the reputation rather than looking at any specs.
"Destroy your ego. Trust your brain. Destroy your beliefs. Trust your divinity." -Danny Carey

MacPro Quad 2.66, G4 MDD dual 867, 23" Cinema Display and 17" LCD, G4 Quicksilver dual 800, 12" Powerbook 867, iMac 300 Grape, B&W G3/300 with G4/450 running yellowdog, iPod 5GB, iPod mini, PowerCenter 150, Powercenter 132 tower, Performa 6116, Quadra 700, MacSE, LC II, eMate 300
     
zerostar
Mac Elite
Join Date: Jan 2005
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 12, 2007, 01:42 PM
 
I am now actually looking to get the 9883 myself soon ;-) the ipod integration is WAY better than mine that just has AUX input and for under $200 with coupons its a steal! (you can usually call crutchfield for $25 off or find coupons online)
     
memento  (op)
Mac Elite
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Upstate NY (cow country)
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 12, 2007, 07:04 PM
 
check it out - free iPod adapter or $20 off or $25 gift card. thanks for the tip - check dealmac.com for the details. Plus the 9883 plays AAC.

done. The only negative that I see is that the preamp output is 2v vs. 4v for the 9885.
"Destroy your ego. Trust your brain. Destroy your beliefs. Trust your divinity." -Danny Carey

MacPro Quad 2.66, G4 MDD dual 867, 23" Cinema Display and 17" LCD, G4 Quicksilver dual 800, 12" Powerbook 867, iMac 300 Grape, B&W G3/300 with G4/450 running yellowdog, iPod 5GB, iPod mini, PowerCenter 150, Powercenter 132 tower, Performa 6116, Quadra 700, MacSE, LC II, eMate 300
     
- - e r i k - -
Posting Junkie
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 12, 2007, 07:21 PM
 
I have a Sony (yes, I know you said no Sony) Xplod:

Sony CDX-GT110 CD Receiver

In my opinion it's the best value for money. Just a CD player, radio and AUX in. Easy to navigate and does everything you want from it. Pumps out lots of sound too

[ fb ] [ flickr ] [] [scl] [ last ] [ plaxo ]
     
memento  (op)
Mac Elite
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Upstate NY (cow country)
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 12, 2007, 10:02 PM
 
actually it doesn't. I need preamp outputs. Still I was disappointed in the lack of longevity from sony.
"Destroy your ego. Trust your brain. Destroy your beliefs. Trust your divinity." -Danny Carey

MacPro Quad 2.66, G4 MDD dual 867, 23" Cinema Display and 17" LCD, G4 Quicksilver dual 800, 12" Powerbook 867, iMac 300 Grape, B&W G3/300 with G4/450 running yellowdog, iPod 5GB, iPod mini, PowerCenter 150, Powercenter 132 tower, Performa 6116, Quadra 700, MacSE, LC II, eMate 300
     
- - e r i k - -
Posting Junkie
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 12, 2007, 10:07 PM
 
Sorry. I missed that part

[ fb ] [ flickr ] [] [scl] [ last ] [ plaxo ]
     
zerostar
Mac Elite
Join Date: Jan 2005
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 12, 2007, 10:52 PM
 
Originally Posted by memento View Post
]The only negative that I see is that the preamp output is 2v vs. 4v for the 9885.
I don't think it would matter to any good amp. Ran mine on a JL Audio 500.1 and there was no lack of quality or power.
     
memento  (op)
Mac Elite
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Upstate NY (cow country)
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 13, 2007, 05:55 AM
 
Agreed, but it was the only negative I could find!
"Destroy your ego. Trust your brain. Destroy your beliefs. Trust your divinity." -Danny Carey

MacPro Quad 2.66, G4 MDD dual 867, 23" Cinema Display and 17" LCD, G4 Quicksilver dual 800, 12" Powerbook 867, iMac 300 Grape, B&W G3/300 with G4/450 running yellowdog, iPod 5GB, iPod mini, PowerCenter 150, Powercenter 132 tower, Performa 6116, Quadra 700, MacSE, LC II, eMate 300
     
   
Thread Tools
 
Forum Links
Forum Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Top
Privacy Policy
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:19 AM.
All contents of these forums © 1995-2017 MacNN. All rights reserved.
Branding + Design: www.gesamtbild.com
vBulletin v.3.8.8 © 2000-2017, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.,