Pick better gear than my Alpine CDA-7998

[Finleyville]

Anyway...

I will soon be purchasing an additional car (2004 VW R32) and wanted some input on a new high SQ HU. I have quite gotten used to the features on my current Alpine CDA-7998. The most notable ones being: 3 pre-outs, solid x-over, time alignment, CD-R playback, and (I hate to say it) MP3 compatable for my 2-hour commute. While THIS (http://forum.elitecaraudio.com/showthread.php?threadid=113619) thread had some great high SQ choices, I do not want to lose the processing power I currently have. On the contrary, I would like MORE control (read: better EQ, ect)than my 7998 for a future 3-way setup. I am not squeezed for space (have double DIN option), video is not necessary, and price must be kept around $1000 new/used for HU(+ processor?) That means that the mouth water inducing Alpine F1 series is out. :(

Do the examples listed in the linked thread meet my criteria?

Can I add an external processor to any/all of them?

Are there better solutions out there that I have not mentioned?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

[Beat_Dominator]

Built into the deck I'd say Eclipse 8443/8053/8455/8454, or the Top Alpines, or the Pioneer DEX-P9 are the best options off the top of my head.

The Eclipses are going to give the best bang for the buck in terms of control as the comparable Alpine and Pioneer tend to be almost a few hundred $ more. A lot of that savings is in the more simple display as the others tend to be a little flashier.

Hope that helps, I'm sure someone will butt in with more models and tell me I'm full of B.S. :p:

[JAZN]

p9

[cjjackson85]

Pick mine, pick mine...

[Kali77]

I think I would go w/ the P9 combo. Or the DRZ-9255.

Kali

[CAMSHAFT]

DRZ 9255.........I cant get over how good it sounded the first time it was turned on.

Without any EQ, X-over, and so on, it sounded awesome......we start tuning in a few weeks!!!