Canuker

Its been a very long time since I have looked into anything car audio releated, but something made me go and slowly start buying stuff to install a fresh system in my car.

I suspect that I am about 8 years out of the loop so when I was driving around today I was a bit shocked to hear that some of the older companies I was familiar with seemed to not make the same quality units as I recalled or it was that the salesmen didn't have a clue about the internals, not sure.

I am looking for a few thoughts on what are the better units out there. I do not need internal amplification or other fancy stuff. I was planning on just running straight preouts to a older audio control x-over/eq to the older PPI amps. Nothing fancy, just what I think is still the correct way to run a stereo in a car.

Any thoughts?

MR2NR

iTrader: (66)

Sure, as much as Audio Control builds some stellar gear, it is something that by choosing the proper cd player, you can now eliminate. This saves another piece of gear from being purchased, the added install time, space and expense. I would look to a Eclipse CD5000 for a task like this. It will give you the high output voltage low impedence non clipping preouts that you seek, it has built in equalization (+ add the calibrated pink noise mic + memory stick and you can do whatever you need to tonally balance your system on you computer). www.eclipse-web.com for a sneak peak at it. A good system starts at the head unit and I happen to think that this is a great start.

Sassmaster

iTrader: (2)

If you're looking for something a little more clean, pure and simple, try to find a rockford fosgate RFX-8240 or RFX-8250. They are made by Dennon and they're very nice, clean head units, with great sound quality for the price. They can usually be found for 300-500 online.

I'm currently running an 8240 in my Iasca car, with no EQ at all, and it sounds amazing

Canuker

Well thats a help for sure. The RF unit seems like it would be a hard item to come by but thats why its called a challange....As for the eclipse unit should I give any worry to the 8v outs. The ppi's were made for those kinds of volts I believe....The locals in the shops here have said that it should be good but lets face it that it seems like all they can do is sell and not much more...(at least at this store).

Again thanks for the help...

fatty matty

iTrader: (4)

I have used Alpine, Kenwood, Clarion and Eclipse decks and I the Eclipse has been my favorite BY FAR. I currently run the CD5425 to a PPI PCX 4125 with great results (I also have an AC EQL helping out). I find the Eclipse to be the smoothest, delivering the flattest signal out of all. The kenwood Excelon decks (I have owned two and still run one in my wife's truck) are nice too but are a bit too bright for my taste.

Is "flattest" even a word?

Sassmaster

iTrader: (2)

yes, flattest is a word, used often in reference to women with itty bitty *******... ie. "she's the flattest thing since plywood"

sawnicxs

It sounds like you are bit of an old schooler. Cool! What you may want to look for is a no frills, good sounding piece. That being the case, you may wish to find a Clarion DRX9255 or DRZ9255 (new model) as a source unit. The Denon/Rockford piece is nice too. These pieces followed that same design thought as the other pieces that you currently own, meaning that its design was just for a specific segment of your system....ie, The CD player just plays the CDs, The audiocontrol does the processing, the amplifiers provide power...that is it. Most people from the era of old school still gravitate to this train of thought....it may work for you too.

Good luck.

Buzz

iTrader: (1)

Ditto ^^^ on the Eclipse CD5000. Good choice for sure.

Justin LaRouche

the drz9255 is something that i absolutly agree with! i am currently doing my best to get my fingers on one again! got rid of my last one for a kdc-x990 kenwood piece. i am regretting every minute of it. although it boasts a triple 24 bit d/a and don't get me wrong it does sound good, the unit has a bad noise floor!!!! any who 9255 all the way for me!