I just bought a new Ford Ranger. I have purchased an Energy 12" sub, a 4/3 channel MB Quart amp, and some Infinity 6X8 component speakers. I also need a head unit. I've read a lot of things about how Sony sucks but I have a Sony deck in my old truck and while my speakers aren't really good enough for me to evaluate sound quality, it's been working perfectly for 6 years, so I dunno why people don't like Sony (apart from corporate rootkit evil bastardliness). I ordered a Kenwood KDC-352U from Crutchfield.ca, but now I'm having second thoughts, and think I'm going to return it. The reason is that it I just went for a little drive and the factory radio convinced me that satellite radio is no longer just something I'm vaguely aware exists, but something I now require. "Radio" meaning am & fm is as useful to me as **** on a bull, but this satellite business... they have jazz stations and blues stations and everything else you could want, with no advertisers and DJs screaming obnoxious **** at you. SO...

I don't need something that mixes milkshakes and tells me where I should go and measures my blood glucose levels and vacuums my house and I certainly don't need a remote control for a device that sits at arms' length. What I need is:

1) satellite radio capability
2) minimum 2 sets of preamp outputs so I can amp my door speakers and my sub
3) the best sound fidelity possible under $200 (I know a lot of ppl can't tell the difference on this point, I'd like to hear from audiophiles)
4) a USB or SD input would be a nice touch (although I guess a cd would suffice if it plays MP3s and WMAs and WAVs)

Any ideas? Be a shame to lose my 6 months free Sirius that came with my truck. I'm looking at the Kenwood KDC-448U right now...

 

This is a good one to look at if you like Kenwood

3 preouts, 4 volts to amp, and bluetooth
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113KDCX...4#overview-tab

I've been looking at this one
3 preouts, 4 volts to amp, etc
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500CDE1...84#details-tab

 

Thanks... that Kenwood isn't satellite-ready, but the Alpine you mentioned looks perfect. Unfortunately Crutchfield.com won't ship to Canada because I am supposed to use Crutchfield.ca, and for some reason crutchfield.ca doesn't have that particular unit. Ah... I'll find something eventually...