alpine imprint
 

what's with the cda-9887 alpine deck with IMPRINT? The way it was marketed initially, I was under the impression the deck was ready to go with the imprint set up. After looking and reading the Alpine site information that just came up on their site, I now realize that you have to buy the deck...msrp $650.00, and then buy the software to run it..msrp $250.00. Don't like when companies do that! Anyone actually have one and can comment on the sonics?

I just re-read the 2007 catalog, and under the decks description, it says plainly,"imprint sound with multiEQ acoustic correction"...nowhere does it say you have to buy separate software to use it...Pisses me off, as I was thinking of getting it...but I won't now!

9887 still looks like a very nice deck. Imprint appears to be a the new Alpine processor unit, which should do everything a processor should do, and more.

I have the 9887, the way i interpret it, YOU don't buy the software, a dealer buys it and you pay them like 30 or 40 bucks to run it on your vehicle and you can save a few different setups to play with later.....could be wrong but thats the impression i got so far, I loved my 880 prs but I'm liking this deck more already after only a week, the differences are subtle (to me) but they are definitely there.

MTT is corrcet. Dealers will have the software to program the deck. There is not processor needed. The H650 processor is for people that want a touch screen. It does the same thing as the deck.

It would be better if the owner could play with the Imprint stuff, but still a cool deck.

so are you using the imprint mode now? is the difference just subtle between it being on and off, or is there a big difference in clarity, soundstage, imaging etc? I'm most interested in clarity, and have you listened from the other seats in the car?

The software isn't out yet for the dealers to do its thing....so cant help you on that one, sorry.

I can kind of see your point, but just like most automotive stuff, you aren't done spending money just because you bought it.

The deck is still VERY capable without Imprint, able to run active without any extra equipment.

^^ no complaints about the deck itself...just the execution of the imprint feature. It does have some nice features, including 24 bit dac, versatile system tuning, and looks great with an uncluttered face considering it's abilities.

...my only complaint so far with the deck is the colour schemes really suck.

positives:

-seems to sound better than my 880prs out of the box (could be just me)

-love the volume control, can go up or down really fast or slow (seems to detect what you're looking to do.

-faster song and folder seeking

-Media expander makes satilite radio sound less compressed

-time alignment seems a little more effective and easy to accomplish.

.....thats just a week of ownership.