i`ve been in the market for a new h/u for a while now (fed up with my alpine 9830), and have been looking at the eclipse cd8445 and the kenwood kdc-x990. i`m leaning towards the eclipse cause of the higher pre-out voltage but the kenwood seems to have a couple of more options like a 7 band eq vs 5 on the eclipse.

anybody have a preference between the two? thanks in advance.

 

I would go for Eclipse over Kenwood reason being the Eclipse would have better sound clarity over the Kenwood or you go for Nakamichi head unit there tops

 

Hey Mayhem, ya the Eclipse is a much better sounding unit hands down IMO. They are not even on the same playing field. IMO Kenwood, Sony, Pioneer and JVC and the likes of these companies are putting to much money, time and effort into flash and not enough into real issues and valued options. The head units I personally like are the Nakamichi, Eclispe and Blaupunkt. First priority of these companies was ease of use while driving, sound quallity and basic needs. And they all do it will.

 

thanks for the info guys. i like that naks but the price.......yeeeeikkkes.
think i`ll have to look into eclipse.

 

I agree with Smartass. But not with Blaupunkt Never liked them, The sound wasnt there for me
.
Eclipse i finally had a chance to listen to the AVN 5495 and Someone was right about it. Im really hard to convice but I do suggest Eclipse. I still have to hear the Pioneer AVIC - Z1, Kenwood I hear all talk about being all good and stuff personlly i never liked my old Kenwood eX Deck I perfer Alpine over Kenwood.

 

i had a blau mantattan tape deck back in the early 80`s. what a piece of dreck, never owned 1 since.

 

The new Blau line up is hard to beat sound quality and options wise. And with a 2 year over the counter exchange makes it even harder. I was never really a fan of them until I started dealing with there HU's and I have had 1 back in about 60 pieces. I like the sound the look and most of all the simplicity of operation. As I think in today's age we have forgotten that when in a vehicle we are suppose to have full attention on the road. And as we get more and more goodies it becomes harder to remember. So for me the Blau has everything I need and more.

 

Wow, any reason for looking at a 3 year old cd player other than the price must be right (and personally I like it's simple looks)?

 

I've owned 2 Kenwood head units and one Eclipse (a Kenwood is in the truck right now and Eclipse in the car). I find the Eclipse is a nicer unit especially as sound quality goes. My experience with the Kenwoods (both Excelon series in the $300 - $400 range) is that they are too harsh on the ears. The Eclipse deck simply sounds smoother and less irritating. As for features, the Kenwoods have more stuff and flash than I am interested in. The Eclipse is more simple and straightforward in design. The Eclipse set me back about $350.

BTW - I did try both units in the same vehicle to make sure it was the HU that made the differences and not the other equipment.

Just my opinion!

 

Having sold many of the brands mentioned here (and having Rep'd a couple), I would pick the Kenwood WAAAAAAAAAAAAY before Eclipse (junkies don't care about ESN, they steal it anyway) or Nakamichi or Blaupunkt all SUCK for reliability -- I tend to hang on to decks for a long time though -- Mine is over 5 years old.

PS the Excelon has 5V @ 100ohms -- very good voltage AND a 24 bit Wolfson DAC (if it is good enough for a $1500 Arcam home CD player, it should be good enough for your car stereo).

B