Newb needs reco on head unit.Alpine?Clarion?Other?
 

I'm getting my first system installed. I think I have most of it down but I could use a recommendation for the head unit.

My dealer recommended the Alpine CDE9885 which, functionality and price-wise, seemed fine for me. Doing some research though, I discovered the EQ'ing capabilities of this unit were limited. Being a part-time bedroom DJ and the kind of person who likes to adjust the EQ for each new CD, and sometimes each new song, EQ'ing capability is VERY important to me. (Though I do find that being able to adjust simple lows/mids/highs is enough, I don't really need access to 25 different frequency ranges fwiw.)

So I'm looking for other options in a head unit that has (at least optional) IPOD compatibility. For whatever it's worth I don't need satellite radio or HD compatibility.

Sound quality is very important to me though, to be honest I'm not sure how much the head unit will affect SQ in an amplified system?

I would likely be running this unit with a JLE4300 amplifier, JL VR690CX1 (6x9) rears and amplified Boston S35 (3.5") front dash speakers. I don't think I'm going to add a sub right now, maybe in a few months depending on how it sounds without one.

As an alternative to the EQ-poor Alpine unit I mentioned above, my dealer has suggested a Clarion DXZ765MP or DXZ965MP, both of which have IPOD connectivity.

Any thoughts on the listed Clarion units, Clarion units generally, or any suggestions for a different head unit are welcome!

Get a seperate EQ (Clarion).

I thought about a separate EQ but hadn't considered it seriously because:
(i) additional cost
(ii) additional space used on dash
(iii) little added functionality over a head unit with some decent built in EQ features (again I'm used to just lows/mids/highs and really think that's all I need...)

I could be convinced to add a separate EQ but for the above reasons I hadn't even considered it seriously, nor had my dealer recommended it as an option. Why get, e.g., Alpine head unit + Clarion EQ, when a simple Clarion head unit with built-in EQ functionality would do more or less the same thing?

I'm relatively new to this though so I may be missing something...

Consider the Eclipse CD7100 as well, it should make the short list of a highly capable cd player.

www.eclipse-web.com

The DXZ765MP is last years model and never heard of the other he may have ment DXZ955MC though. They are really nice units and are super cheap right now. The 955 you can store music from store bought CDs about 6 of them.

I would say either Eclipse or Kenwood Excelon, what is your budget on a deck?

on my alpine(not sure on that one tho,i can make personal eq curves and store them on the presets. It has default curves, rock,disco,news,pop. which are all kinda shitty imo, but once you find the sound you like for one music type you can save it and switch back and fourth between 6 preset curves to suit youre taste.Ajust here and there and resave if needed.
At first all this was too much to play with but after having the deck for awile its second nature. Its a model 9815 btw its a few years old and im keeping her till shes dead lol,still works mint btw.:smilie_da

Thanks, I'll check out the Kenwood and Eclipse units and see if there is anything that meets my criteria.

Any thoughts on the Pioneer DEH-P6900UB or Pioneer cd receivers generally?

I have read good things about this unit and it has a 7-band EQ which is more than sufficient for my needs.

I carry the Premiere version of it, adds a 2 year warranty and a IPOD cable included. It has proven to be a great cd player.