I'm seriously considering buying an eclipse deck (probably a 5433 or future equivalent) in the not so far future. The issue I'd like to talk about is mp3 playback ability.

Now, before all you SQ guys go ballistic on me about mp3s, I am consious (sp?) that mp3 is a compression format and degrades the quality. I am mostly talking about practicality. That being said and knowing that only 2 decks in the eclipse lineup play mp3s without e-com, would it still be possible to plug an external mp3 player (say an i-pod)? Would it add too much noise to have another component in the chain? Am I just better off buying a higher end deck from another company that has innate mp3 playability (kenwood's eXcelon's 969 comes to mind).

Sorry for the long thread, but I know you guys will be able to answer my questions.

BTW, are there any online eclipse dealers at all (authorized or not)?

Steven

Cough, cough, Eclipse cannot be sold online, it violates our dealer agreements, cough cough, that we abide by strictly (sincerely). This is why you do not see them advertised all over the net, much less priced on websites as well. Now I'm sure you can figure out how to contact numerous Eclipse dealers that are on this site cough cough so that they don't infringe on any agreements with either the site or the dealer agreement. It is always best that we abide by these policies. IF you are after a 5volt Eclipse cd player with MP3, keep saving your pennies, they are releasing just this model in the coming future. i have no idea on what Canadian retail or delivery date is yet. We out west tend to get forgotten about as compared to the Toronto area.

[ January 21, 2004, 05:47 PM: Message edited by: MR2NR ]

Eclipse is releasing a bunch of new decks with mp3 playback. Just wait a couple months or contact your dealer for shipping dates.

Thanks guys! [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/headbang.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/beer.gif[/img]

[ January 21, 2004, 07:35 PM: Message edited by: Audio Freak ]

Here are the US prices if they help at all:

3404 $179(no mp3), 2 sets/rcas, no motorized face

3414 $199(mp3) 2 sets of rcas/no motorized face

3424 $249(mp3) 2(maybe 3) sets of rcas/cd changer control, and remote

3434 $299(mp3), 3 sets of rcas, motorized face

5444 not sure on price(3 sets of rcas, mp3) $449

8053 STill a "new model" for 04...$549

8454 $599 (8 volt, mp3, deck power, NOT BALANCED)