ogopogo

Hello,it is time for me to get a new CD head unit,I dont need i-pod,DVD,mp3,xm, or any fancy multi colour displays or other "bling".I just want a super clean sounding CD,rotary volume control ,that can run a CD changer,I dont need the HU to be powered either.I have seperate amplifiers in my system and an EQ.What are some good ones?What kind of pre-out voltage do the good ones have nowadays?I want to stay under $500,thanks!

Brooke_ox

Eclipse CD3100 is under that price range.
5volt preouts, hooks up to CD Changers, AreaShot, iPod Ready, 3yr warranty if purchases from authorized eclipse dealer ect.

ECLIPSE by Fujitsu Ten

Greg_Canada

iTrader: (2)

http://www.canadiancaraudio.com/onli...ance-sale.html
Nakamichi CD500... sweet deck. Simple too.

veeman

iTrader: (3)

beauty is in the ear of the beholder...go audition as many as you can! since you asked, and based on your criteria...Nakamichi, Alpine, Eclipse, Kenwood, Pioneer among others, all make very good sounding units in that price range. Most will have a ton of features which you may not want, but will get anyway. The simplest is probably Nakamichi, as they tend to stay away from the "bling". Look for a deck that has a blackout feature (turns off the internal amp), 24 bit D/A converters if possible (not that I can hear a difference, but if you're getting it in the price range...why not?), and at least 4 volts pre-out if you're using them(honestly I can't hear a difference between pre outs, but again if you're getting it...take it!). I usually run a processor anyway, so the preouts on most of those are at 4 volts. All in all, it's hard to get a bad sounding deck these days in that price range. Until you step into the 1000.00 plus range, you're going to get essentially more features than performance, as most decks up to 500.00 tend to use very similar electronics inside.

MR2NR

iTrader: (66)

I too would look at the Eclipse CD3100 or if you are after a stripped down version with no MP3 adn no bling bling, I have a consignment CD5423 here that we sent in for service to have cleaned and aligned. Like the 3100 is has a rotary volume control and 5volt 55ohm non clipping preouts. Both are solid performers in the SQ arena. A little above your budget is the Pioneer Premeire DEHP880PRS, it is a rather plain looking cd player but has major abilities hidden behind it for the serious sound person. PM me for more info if these interest you. Nice to see a fellow Okanogan person here, I am from Armstrong, then Kelowna originally.

ogopogo

Thanks for the input,i am currently running an old alpine 7838,i was going to replace it simply because it doesnt have high voltage preouts and the remote turn on has quit working (no big deal).I have an alpine 12 disc changer so unless the eclipse decks are noticably better maybe I should just get another alpine HU?I had an alpine 7893 HU and found it had too many fancy adjustments etc.,more "stuff" than I needed,I got better sound out of the old 7838 and an equalizer.I did check out the eclipse and the pioneer DEHP880PRS online and they are both reasonably priced,what in particular do you like about the pioneer?I will start another thread detailing what I have for a system so you guys can critique it,i know I need better front door speakers etc.

MR2NR

iTrader: (66)

For some input on the 880, ask Hardwrkr as he has one that I sold him about 4 months ago. It is chalk full of bells and whistles and is by no means a slouch in the SQ arena. The Eclipse models by comparison are bare bones in the CD3100 and really bare bones (like neked) in the CD5423. I can pretty much sum it up that any of these models are going to offer superior performance to the current generation of Alpine head units in the same price range.

Buzz

iTrader: (1)

was running a cd400 nakamichi, great deck. Now running eclipse cd7000, absolutely amazing sq and overall performance..... go eclipse!!

JohnVroom

The Eclipse CD7000 is in your range used or in a shop that still has it (last years model so they will be motivated to move it). I am looking at the CD7100 (outside your ballpark but not too far) for my current system

MR2NR

iTrader: (66)

And a mighty fine cd player it has proven to be as well.