I am thinking about changing my CD6/MP3 for a new headunit? I know Alpine is the best and was wondering what the best headunit they have for $250-300. I would like MP3, changer controls, XM or Sirius (if it has it), atleast 2 preouts. Any help is appreciated, thanks:)

I was looking at the CDA-9833, is that a good HU?

 

thats really nice... 60wX4... do u have an ipod cuz alpine makes the headunits with ipod hook ups

 

Nah, no Ipod. :)

 

I take it you're buying off e-bay or some other wholesale price, because the 9833 will not be sold (retail) for anything close to $300 bucks. ($449.99 @ Crutchfield). But that is a good receiver.

Almost all of the Alpine Decks will have 3 pairs of RCA's. 4 volts to boot.

The 60watts is misleading, it's actually 26 Watts RMS, and that will require a direct power connection to your battery. The alpine techs I've spoken too say this may not be required. The test is to turn the volume up to around 22-26 on the dial, and if the display starts to dim, then you will need a direct connection to the battery. Usually 12-14 gauge is all that is needed.

Of course, that is if you actually use the internal amp.

The only comparable (by price) head unit I would consider, is the Kenwood Excelon KDC-X869. It has specs very identical to the Alpind 9833, but has a different display design. The only thing lacking are some of the randomization features that you have in the Alpine.

Bottom line though, if you will listen to lots of MP3 discs, Alpine has the best/fastest MP3 player on the market.

 

My $0.02 (I know next to nothing about head units really). I'd go Alpine and skip the Kenwoods. I have been a religious fan of Kenwood up until my latest deck (KDC-X569). On the newer stuff they took out the 'ATT' button! This mutes the audio when you pull up to a toll both or something, which is so very nice. The function is still on the remote, but not on the faceplate, so it's nearly useless! Alpine still has a similar 'mute' function.. May seem like a dumb reason to skip one brand and go for another, but I would were I doing it again..

 

When I was researching a new headunit (about 2 years ago), the 7894 was the one that stood far ahead of all the others. It has all the power and features, plus it's more "understated" than the 9813 which replaced it. If it was me, I would try to pick up one at a discount
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW

 

Also notice that the 7894 has Bass Engine Plus, while the 9833 has Bass Engine Pro

The pro adds:
5-band digital parametric EQ
More adjustments in the internal crossover
and 2 additional channels in time correction
or basically more ways to tweak for SQ.

 

Very true, but at the time I wanted good performance without too many adjustments. The 9833 is still expensive, while the 7894 is being discounted. It's a good headunit for those that want power with MP3 capability.
If you have the cash, definatley head for the 9000 series.

 

I'd suggest saving another $150-$200 and getting an Alpine 9835
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...738807386&rd=1

 

i have the 9815 and i LOVE it. as stated above you can run an ipod through it and also though it is XM ready they also sell Sirius for it

 

Saving another 150-200, the 9833 only costs about 70 less than the 9835. Depending on how finances look and how much I can get for my CD6/MP3, we'll see:)

 

I love the design and Bass Engines on Alpine head units, loud and clear signals, everyone I know with one loves theirs. And every year Alpine remakes at least a few of their products to make them better, louder, cleaner, and clearer than they already are, for this Alpine always will have my vote for the best products. One of best features is to turn off the internal amp, which then results in less internal noise. "And that as they say, is that."

 

Mostly that reduces heat, and the improved signal quality is usually a result of the lack of power starvation.

 

i agree, the 7894 is a badass HU. i bought mine off ebay when it was first introduced and it blew everyone away at my high school on how good it sounded (they had xplods, go figure). i like the simple lay out of alpine w/o all the flashy screens and such and the features are nice. also the quick loading mp3 is what sold me. my old *gag* jensen mp3 HU was good for the price but was slow to loadthe files. same with my friends pioneer mp3 HU and others i know with the xplod mp3 HUs.