Eclipse CD8445 user: goin' back to Alpine - Car Audio Forum

**HiAmplidude** · #1 10-20-2005, 11:38 AM

After using my new Eclipse CD8445 for a while, I'm going back to Alpine.

The Eclipse 8V preout sound quality is truly outstanding. That's about where my glee ends with their upper-end units.

Almost everything they do is slooow... from changing MP3 tracks, to adjusting volume from the remote. The remote includes only the very most basic functions and nothing else. Time-alignment tweaking is horribly limited. There is no "angle" adjustment for the motorized panel. Crossover settings work well, but are made for an elementary user with limited control.

No, I don't hate the Eclipse HU. In fact, it's easily one of the best I've used. Its ease of finding the way through its menus is a treat. They look good and sound terrific. Security features are a plus. Great construction. Awesome (dealer-installed) warranty. They just seem to be under the bar, particularly compared to the CDA-7878 deck I replaced with it, in my vehicle.

My old Alpine CDA-7878 has everything that Eclipse is lacking. I'm going to get the CD transport mechanism repaired on the Alpine and put 'er back in. Sad to see the Eclipse (and $500+) go, but it's too frustrating to use it after getting accustomed to the 7878.

I have no idea how the new Alpine units stand up to current Eclipse, in real-world use. My guess would be that it's a draw, with possibly a slight advantage going to Alpine, if they didn't have that stupid slide-dial selector on them (hopefully next year they won't).

Just had to let that out.

**XtrmAudioCncpts** · #2 10-20-2005, 11:40 AM

so what are your plans for the eclipse unit

**HiAmplidude** · #3 10-20-2005, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XtrmAudioCncpts

so what are your plans for the eclipse unit

eBay, most likely

It's going to take me a while to find a quality repair facility for my $800 Alpine 7878 then lead-time to get it fixed. But, when that's done, I have nowhere else to put the Eclipse. It would've gone into my wife's car, but her '05 has a fully-integrated audio/dash/climate/everything.

**alphakenny1** · #4 10-20-2005, 03:09 PM

Bye former Eclipse user

**3.5Max6spd** · #5 10-20-2005, 04:41 PM

if mp3/remote playback to you supercede better SQ in your needs...then by all means you dont need an Eclipse....Good luck with your broken deck

**HiAmplidude** · #6 10-20-2005, 04:58 PM

Perhaps that was a misunderstanding.

The Alpine CDA-7878 is still superior SQ, as well. I can't say my 2 Alpine units before the 7878 had better SQ. I'm leaning toward the Eclipse against those non- 7878 models. You're absolutely right; if the Eclipse still sounded better, I'd live with the quirks.

Preout Voltage isn't all that makes great SQ (which I'm sure you, of almost anyone, knows). Starting with a foundation of excellent sound, and adding amazing tweakability for optimal imaging, crossover and EQ functions, the 7878 has been the best SQ deck I've owned. At $800, it's no cheapie, but next to its replacement F#1 status @ $2500, I'll just get the 7878 repaired *lol*.

I called Alpine and found my nearest Authorized Alpine repair facility is:

Downtown Radio
2525 W. 6th Ave
Denver CO 80204
800-373-3539

I almost don't care how much they charge for the repair. I'm thinking it shouldn't be more than a couple hundred bux for the transport, but then again, there are only 2 decks out there that I know of, which utilize this high-speed mechanism with high-strength, single-beam laser pickup, technology.

**3.5Max6spd** · #7 10-20-2005, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiAmplidude

Perhaps that was a misunderstanding.

The Alpine CDA-7878 is still superior SQ, as well. I can't say my 2 Alpine units before the 7878 had better SQ. I'm leaning toward the Eclipse against those non- 7878 models. You're absolutely right; if the Eclipse still sounded better, I'd live with the quirks.

Preout Voltage isn't all that makes great SQ (which I'm sure you, of almost anyone, knows). Starting with a foundation of excellent sound, and adding amazing tweakability for optimal imaging, crossover and EQ functions, the 7878 has been the best SQ deck I've owned. At $800, it's no cheapie, but next to its replacement F#1 status @ $2500, I'll just get the 7878 repaired *lol*.

I called Alpine and found my nearest Authorized Alpine repair facility is:

Downtown Radio
2525 W. 6th Ave
Denver CO 80204
800-373-3539

I almost don't care how much they charge for the repair. I'm thinking it shouldn't be more than a couple hundred bux for the transport, but then again, there are only 2 decks out there that I know of, which utilize this high-speed mechanism with high-strength, single-beam laser pickup, technology.

Sounds like the 8455 would've been a better option for your tuning needs than the 8445

**Slaugh** · #8 10-20-2005, 08:05 PM

yay

good luck with your 7878 back

**mikegett** · #9 10-21-2005, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3.5Max6spd

Sounds like the 8455 would've been a better option for your tuning needs than the 8445

Agreed. The 8455 is only surpassed by the new Blaupunkt in eq an crossover settings.

**3.5Max6spd** · #10 10-21-2005, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikegett

Agreed. The 8455 is only surpassed by the new Blaupunkt in eq an crossover settings.

Have you used the Blau's pc tuning options? The Brehmen 'claims' "DSA+: 108-Band PC Controllable Parametric Equalizer" but the website has no such software setup , nor mentions of it.

**audiolife** · #11 10-21-2005, 02:09 PM

i dont know too many people who like alpine over eclipse after they had both that includes people who work at dealers that carry both

**6spdcoupe** · #12 10-21-2005, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by audiolife

i dont know too many people who like alpine over eclipse after they had both that includes people who work at dealers that carry both

I can attest to that. Personally as well as my customers.

Although the 7878 that hes referring to is quite a deck. Just wouldnt be in My best interests to have something repaired pending breaking once again.

**audiolife** · #13 10-21-2005, 02:33 PM

my alpines always broke lol then they say i beat on it or say they got wet funny thing is every alpine that died got replaced with a pioneer deck (same one) that was made in 1989 and it still works dex-m88

**6spdcoupe** · #14 10-21-2005, 02:34 PM

I had a fair share of Alpines breaking on me and enough trouble getting warranty repair service. One of the primary reasons I dropped them.

**Slaugh** · #15 10-21-2005, 02:34 PM

you guys must have in mind he's going back for a 2001 alpine hu.... that's when alpine was still rockin the world of the hu's...

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