mugen1

Really torn between two choices......... it’s an apples and oranges scenario, but.

Until recently I ran a Nak CD45z head unit. Hooked up to that was a Nak TD 1200 via Aux input, as well as, a Power Acoustik DVD player via the CDC Aux in.

For the last month or so, I've been running a Rockford Fosgate RFX 8250 as a head unit. The TD 1200 is now out of the system (finally gave up on analog). I now have the Power Acoustik DVD player hooked up to the aux digital input of the 8250 and a 40 gig iPod is hooked up to the aux analog RCA input of the 8250.

After one month, I have decided to change my system again. I love the sound of the 8250, but the lack of a remote, CD Changer controls, etc. is starting to bug me. To keep the story short, I've narrowed my choices down to two head units..... a Clarion DRZ 9255 CD player or a Clarion VRX755VD in dash touch screen DVD player with iPod control.

BTW, the iPod is turning out to be a pretty good investment. I upload most of my music in full CD Quality. It's pretty impressive hooked up to the system via RCA.

I also have an Audio Control DQX with a DDC in my present system. Sadly, I think this combo will have to go. With the DRZ9255 and its 4 way Xover, time delay for each of the possible six channels, and 5 band parametric EQ, it would be dumb to try and make use of the DQX. With the VRX755VD choice, I will eventually make use of the DTS 5.1 or Pro Logic II options, so the DQX will also find its way out of the picture with this setup.

Right now, I am leaning toward the touch screen route. I've heard good things about surround sound, DTS, and Pro Logic and would like to give it a go. I guess what I should do is get out and listen to the two head units, but there ain't too many shops around that have any of these head units on display, let alone be able to listen to both setups side by side. Also, what you hear in a sound room is nothing like what you hear in a vehicle. Besides, where would you find a VRX755VD hooked up to a processor and all the stuff that goes with it?

The SQ of the in dash DVD player, on paper, looks decent. Listening/watching live performances on DVD in surround sound, I think, would be very nice. From what I've been hearing recently, the DRZ 9255 is one sweet sounding deck for the money. Time alignment is something I have never played with either..... gotta keep up with the times, I guess.

Do I get the DRZ9255 for its pure SQ or do I get the VRX755VD for all the bells and whistles?

BTW, I have made up my mind to go with Clarion and have found a local dealer to get the units from. I know about the Denon this and the Alpine that. Pioneer is more this and...... you get the picture. I just need some advice/experiences/thoughts on surround sound vs traditional stereo and maybe a little about time alignment.

Pioneer Guy

Not to try & sway your decision away from Clarion, but Pioneer has something that may give you the best of both worlds. The AVH-P7600DVD (coming out next month) is a 7" touch panel in-dash DVD player with optional I-Pod control. It has the Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro-Logic II & DTS decoders all built in plus it plays DVD-Audio discs.

Peformance wise it has triple 6.5V preouts, multi-channel auto EQ & time alignment.

Sounds like your giving your choice some serious thought so maybe you won't rule out other brands than Clarion before seeing them in action.

Good luck with your decision!

Hardwrkr

iTrader: (5)

x2 on that Pioneer unit.
The sound quality really is excellent (before this I had a Pioneer DEX-P1 and Alpine 9835) and it has all the important audio options you need.
It bit more pricey but it really is a nice unit.

You really need to decide whether you want a touch screen or a normal DIN unit.

mugen1

Wow, I didn't know about that particular Pioneer model coming out (with those features). I have not heard back about when the Clarion unit ships. You say the DTS surround sound is built-in already? With the Clarion, I would have to purchase an outboard processor. What kind of DAC does it use? SQ is important to me...... DVD Audio to boot. Any previews on the iPod interface?

A wealth of information, you are.

What kind of price are we looking at?

I better have a closer look at Pioneer's website.

bigman

if your into clarion get the vrx935vd. close to the same features as the pioneer. dolby 3 processor, T/A, HPF, LPF, more that i cant remember off the tops of my head. its gewd stuff.

Hardwrkr

iTrader: (5)

Check out the specs for the AVH-P7500DVD unit. Doesn't sound like much has changed with the 7600 for '05.
The 7500 uses three 24-bit Bur-Brown DAC's.
I am very satisfied with this unit.
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pn...etailComponent

mugen1

Yikes. It's also very expensive - although it does have a lot of useful features. I really like the Auto time alignment thing. Does it do a good job?

[ January 27, 2005, 06:05 PM: Message edited by: mugen1 ]

Hardwrkr

iTrader: (5)

The auto-TA and auto-EQ work very well. I have only made very small adjustments to them after letting it do its thing.

It's expensive but it has a whole lot of options in it.

mugen1

Thanks for letting me know about the VRX935VD. I overlooked the 2004 products link on CLarion's website. Just saw the newer (2005) model in the Pro Audio lineup.

You mentioned time alignment. I downloaded and looked over the manuals for the VRX935VD and there's no mention of time alignment.