Noob here, gonna buy a deck
 

Hi Guys,

Uber-noob here, and I'm shopping for a decent head unit. Price range is $450 or less. In my research, I found this site, and I came across this:

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v3/pg/product/details/0,,2076_310069882_291159496,00.html

The Pioneer DEH-P880PRS. This sounds like an AMAZING deck for the money. The 24bit DAC in this thing is also in Eclipse head units costing $600+USD, but this Pioneer is half that price! Am I missing something here? Too good to be true?

Nice to see so many Nova Scotians here! :D I'm a transplanted Cape Bretoner myself, from New Waterford originally.

Bart

Also look at the Clarion DXZ955MC which also boasts the 24DA, and TA. And is around the $425 mark or the DXZ765MP and this one also has the 24DA and comes in under $300 If you need more info just PM me.

Your not missing anything dude...

Pioneer is no Eclipse.. (pioneer have there share of probs)

But Clarion decks are pretty sick, I've toyed with the dxz725 and it's nothing but a strong build quality and sq as well.

Agreed ^^ Eclipse is far superior.

No doubt the Eclipse is the higher end unit, but does it sound TWICE as good as this one, since its twice the price? I'm not building a competition audio system here. My main priorities are quality sound, decent price. Eclipse is a great name, but I'm not spending near $1000CDN for a head unit. If I could afford that, I'd be a happy guy. :) Since I only have a garbage factory CD system in my bimmer, Sparkomatic would be an upgrade to me. :D

Is there an Eclipse model under $500 with that DAC that has USB and Ipod connections? I looked on their site, and the only one that had the 24bit DAC was $699USD, and was the highest end model. Thats a bit much for me. If you guys have any other models I should research, just name em. Thats why I'm here. You guys are the pros, and I can't even decode half of these friggin deck stats! :)

Bart

Okay, hit the local shop today and they like Clarion too. They gave me the new Clarion catalogue and recommended the DXZ775USB, $369 when it comes out (which they say is around 2 weeks or so). Any input on that one?

I cannot BELIEVE how quickly the old models expire!! No wonder they only have a 1 year warranty! Man, this audio field is almost as bad as the PC field for crazy quick advances in tech!

Bart

Yes it almost is as bad as the PC world, had a chance to play with that HU at the product launch and is a great piece. Has everything anyone could ask for and more at a killer price. Going to be a hard HU to keep up with this year.

Just got off the phone with Clarion and the 775-575 comes out end of March and the 475-175 are already out. And in May they have the $799msrp Flipout 7" touch screen VRX575USB and the VRX375USB which has the 3.5" screen. Both have USB and Ipod and Divx compatible. Hope that helps abit.