Alpine 7903 vs 7909
12-29-2006, 12:54 PM
#11
500 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 884
The pull out connection was the least of the issues with the 7909....... the major problem with these decks were the transport! as the caps used in the transport (laser control board) has a service life rating of like 3 year max. (shelf life) then they'll cause problems. The connector on the main preamp board would cause intermitent distortion in one channel or it would drop out completely at times.. also the DC-DC converter would die....... leaving the deck with no audio output.
Other then a few issues........ it was a great sounding deck. and with that pull out connector thing, you could alway hard wire it straight out.... i did that way back for numerous customers, and it actually sounds better.
Other then a few issues........ it was a great sounding deck. and with that pull out connector thing, you could alway hard wire it straight out.... i did that way back for numerous customers, and it actually sounds better.
Last edited by SweetnLow91SC; 12-29-2006 at 01:36 PM.
12-29-2006, 01:05 PM
#12
50 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 233
I have a couple of them as we speak...one new one and an original with the pullout cage. I have to agree with Dukk on the pullout thing...not a big deal. If you want however, you can actually remove the harness and mount it to the unit directly on your own or use a 4100 permanent install kit. As for the two units sonically...well that is an opinion. Most guys who have played with these for a while (jump in anytime joe) know that the anniversary model and the "j" speck model sound quite a bit different than the original. Where the new one brought a little more smooth performance, it lost however in the timbre of instruments...especially in the top end. Guys were starting to try to EQ that back in after a while because something was missing and they did not compare the models in a car as opposed to a display. It really boils down to what you are after sonically. Be warned that they are finicky and need to be serviced every few years...especially the tone controls, volume control, and the transport caps.
the copper chassis...well, not the be all and end all if you ask me. there are far weaker points in any system than to be worried about the chassis if you ask me.
Good luck....it is a great sounding unit.
the copper chassis...well, not the be all and end all if you ask me. there are far weaker points in any system than to be worried about the chassis if you ask me.
Good luck....it is a great sounding unit.
01-03-2007, 01:07 PM
#13
500 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 884
Originally Posted by sawnicxs
As for the two units sonically...well that is an opinion. Most guys who have played with these for a while (jump in anytime joe) know that the anniversary model and the "j" speck model sound quite a bit different than the original. Where the new one brought a little more smooth performance, it lost however in the timbre of instruments...especially in the top end.
i didn't find the timbre was poor tho... perhaps is the matching of amplifiers and cables etc.But if its the J model you're refered to (on the timbre issue).... i havn't tested yet. but i do know it has the outboard ps which could infuence the performance tho.
Last edited by SweetnLow91SC; 01-03-2007 at 02:25 PM.
01-03-2007, 10:04 PM
#16
I bought a 7909 in late 1988 -- it was stolen from my Civic in 1990, by then it was only working as a radio.... the ***** that took it did me a favor -- I purchased one of the first removable face Pioneers for half the price and it sounded similar. That thing is OLD -- you can get a deck for $250 now that will sound twice as good and have 25 times the voltage (7909 had 10,000 ohms impedance) -- now you know why I detest Alpine.
01-04-2007, 12:43 AM
#17
500 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 884
Originally Posted by mike bisson
I bought a 7909 in late 1988 -- it was stolen from my Civic in 1990, by then it was only working as a radio.... the ***** that took it did me a favor -- I purchased one of the first removable face Pioneers for half the price and it sounded similar. That thing is OLD -- you can get a deck for $250 now that will sound twice as good and have 25 times the voltage (7909 had 10,000 ohms impedance) -- now you know why I detest Alpine.
Most Pioneer decks usually has a smooth sound..... (Hi-Fi like or sounds like its from a stereo... not real). and some people would prefer that. specially if the system or the acoustic in the car is some what on the bright side.
BTW:
not sure where you get your info from: 7909 had 10.000 ohms impedance??
This is right from the Alpine service manuel...
09-29-2008, 01:06 AM
#19
09-29-2008, 01:34 AM
#20
