Torn on which headunit to buy, its narrowed down to these 4

9886 can be had for around 200us
the replacement the 117 basiclly the same unit but does have a pure usb digital connection now, around 250 us

the x305, around the same price, but i like the look of the 9886/117 better and they still have cd as well

and my car which is dual din, so the x404 which is on ebay new in box for 280 us now

any feedback from anyone?

 

Overall the 9886 is a good unit

Pros: The USB function is quick and easy to use. I have mine setup like an iPod menu. I think its a very good looking deck, lighting looks great at night and Biolite is crisp. The CD player is very hard to skip (not sure whether thats something you might look for). 4 volt preouts are also a plus.

Downside to the 9886 is that there are virtually no EQ settings on it UNLESS you buy the Imprint module. All you can control is bass and treble, as well as HPF (which is a good thing)

Go to your local best buy or futureshop and check to see if they ever have any open box 9886. I saw one not to long ago for $169.99 Open box with iPod cable and all. Spend the extra $30 for the service plan and you're set.

 

the 117 is selling me more though, pure digital usb connection , better dac, rds for radio stations, few other features, for the sake of 40 or 50 bones maybe this is the way to go
??

 

Its seems to be a better unit than the 9886 because of its features like Time Alignment and such.

 

time alignment
media expander
rds radio station tagging
high speed usb charges ipod unlike before and offers a tru digital connection vs analog of the older

etc

 

seems like you made up your mind...anyway 2 of them are easy to cut if you want cd playback, and as you said yourself, the pure digital usb, extra features and t/a are easily worth 50.00! See that wasn't so hard.

 

ok guys after alot more research i have it down to 2

the cda-117 and the ixa-w404

cheapest i can get the cda -117 is 300 shipped and the 404 is 329 shipped from ebay.

in canada the cheapest is 399 and tax for the 117 and 499 for the 404

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single din/vs double din
cd deck/mp3 vs mp3 only/video

anyone?

 

The CDA-117 has 24-bit burr brown DA converter. Could some one explain what that is. I know digital to analog part but no sure what the (24-bit burr brown). I'm also thinking about this unit.

 

Burr Brown is a well known high end manufacturer of D/A converters and 24bit is generally touted as better sounding than single bit.

I love the looks of the 404. If my car took a double din it would already be in there. I have a few Alpine CD changers lying around so no CD in the unit is no issue for me.

 

I was thinking the same thing. The 404 is nicer looking than the 117 and it's got full color display. Future shop has the 404 on for $379 and the 117 on for $349. Does anyone know which one has a better SQ play back for the iPod I'm after SQ and Funtional and simplicity I'm trying to decide between the two?¿