veeman

iTrader: (3)

^^in theory it should make a difference but in practise it's hard to hear it. I have a 99.00 JVC that I switched with my 500.00 Alpine(just to see if there is a difference), and while I love my Alpine(for lots of reasons), I really could not tell the difference in SQ(maybe I'm getting old).

mugen1

After all the givens (SQ, reliability, expandability, versatility, etc.), ergonomic design and user interface are pretty important - at least to me. The current setup I have is not bad, as far as ergonomics are concerned, but the interface sucks. The Alpine iPod interface connected to an IVA-D901 is brutal. The adjustments on the F#1 via head unit is a little cumbersome, as well. However, it looks like (haven't had a chance to try it yet) being able to hook a PC to the F#1 multimedia processor may make adjustments a lot easier.

Another example of a sucky design is the Alpine I have for my winter beater. I have a hard time adjusting the volume without hitting the next track button. I basically have to use my finger nails to turn the ****. It wouldn't be so bad if the thing came with a remote. I have to keep in mind though, that I got it for a really good price. The deck would be perfect if it weren't for the one flaw.

My Nak 45Z (now installed above my workbench) has got to be my all time favourite deck. I have no idea what people talk about when they bash Nakamichi products. Mine must have been built on a Wednesday or something. Same with the TD1200 I have. Oh well.............

Starterwiz

Having all 52 cards, with no marks. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Haunz

iTrader: (3)

You average aftermarket deck is a piece of **** anyway... keep it stock and add some processing....

[img]graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

veeman

iTrader: (3)

Tell me you subs and high were not more defined with the HIGHER VOLTAGE Alpine. Any $500 deck will sound better than a $99 one because in most cases the higher priced unit will have a 4 volt or better output on the RCA's. Let's atleast compare a deck of similar value. </font>[/QUOTE]Sorry, It did not sound different enough for me to notice. Believe me I really wanted it to so that I could have justified spending 5x as much, but truth be told, I really don't think cd players are that different within the range of human hearing. This is my experience, I am over 35 and not a critical listener, I like music to listen to...not to analyze. Others out there that listen for very suble differences may notice something...I did not.

Sassmaster

iTrader: (2)

For my, a nice deck means that the SQ is top notch, clean and clear. The features are simple, and clear and easy to use. The on board processing should be minimal, as there are plenty of aftermarket onboard processors out there that do a superrior job to any deck.

np

Just my two Cents,

I think that you certainly gain get better performance gains with a higher quality deck. How much is "in the eye of the beholder"

My personal experience tells me that decks with higher preout voltage allow the gains on the amp to be set moderately, rather than at max gain.

My nak put out 5 volt, while my buddies panasonic was 2v. I had to turn the gains almost at full max to get decent, but heavily distorted output. Same stereo, with higher preout voltage sounded far better

NP

veeman

iTrader: (3)

I'm not convinced that the pre-out voltage is such a big deal. All my systems in the 80's and early 90's had 2 volt outs with little distortion or lack of SQ. As far as I know, if the amp is rated for an input voltage within .5-8volts, then it should produce maximum power with anything in that range. The difference will be that your amp gains will have to be turned up which COULD produce more noise. If you don't have a noise problem or you don't need your amps to lay waste to a 3 block radius, then you may not need higher pre-out voltage.

zzzzzzz

iTrader: (5)

one that works when you are going to db show to try to win