What are the Kenwood Excelons like?

[Logikalliquid]

I'm looking into a new HU since I've just got a new truck and the reach to the radio is a pain so I'm ditching my remoteless RFX-9120G. I was just looking for one with a remote an 3 rca's. I started looking into the Kenwood Excelons when i read about the onboard 24bit DAC. I started looking at the KD-X579 since it was in my immeadiate price range, but now i think i should save a little for a higher end unit. Now I attempted to research these and have come to 4 questions I hope this forum may be able to answer:

1.Is there any difference in the KD-X879 and the KDC-X979,if there is is it worth it?
2.What difference is the 24-bit Burr-Brown DAC going to make?(Will the average listener hear a difference)
3.Are there any common problems with Kenwoods?(i saw a thread recently about worn ribbon cables stopping the face from moving properly)
4.Am I barking up the wrong tree and should look in to something else?(180-$250 range)

[ShakinSupra]

I don't really know the difference between the two units, but a nice DAC will definitely make a difference. At least when I upgraded from a high end Panasonic HU to my Nakamichi with 20-bit DAC, there was a world of difference, beautiful sounding HU.

I've had some problems with Kenwood HUs though, one just stopped putting out sound, and the other the face stopped flipping over.

[jellyfish420]

i used to have a 2000 model excelon, i loved it, i got into some bad stuff and pawned it. i wish i never did, i loved it. never had a problem except once i accedently hooked the amp outs to the hu speaker level in. . . opps. kenwood fixed it for free and had it back to me in about 2 weeks. i say go for it.

[Shinobi]

most HU have 1 bit DAC's which they play music fine but 24 bit is like night and day the sound reproduction is much cleaner. Also look into somthing with an onboard EQ preferably 5 bands or more . Kenwood is ok but i prefer other brands Pioneer Premier and Eclipse are my two personal favs.

[Aikon]

Well, Mine KDC-X879 is working great .. So I can surely recommend them!

[Motley]

...and my KDC-x979 is working great too. The display is incredible, and the options/features are endless. There is so much you can do with all the sound controls, it's rediculous.

Kenwood rocks!!!

[SirSyko]

The difference between the x879 and x979: The 979 has dolby prologic II and an 8 tone display. Those are the main two differences that you will be paying for.

[Logikalliquid]

Thanks for all the input. I considered the Nakamichi CD400 for a few minutes but all the pretty lights on the Kenwood won me over. X879 for $312 after shipping.

[jellyfish420]

you based your choice on pretty lights? in that case you should of bought a boss or something cheap, and bought a sh!tload of neons with the money left over.hehe

[Norcalracer283]

I have a kenwood, no problems, ton of fucntion, loads fairly quick. The remote is the best on the market in my opinion. I would recommend the kenwood decks to anyone.

[Logikalliquid]

dude, I thought neons made my car faster. I didnt know they made you sound better too!?

i just meant the nak was too plain for me and since i'm paying 300 for each I might as well get a 3D display.

[swank]

Dont know about the HU's but my excelon amp ive had for years and its never let me down nor blown a fuse. Excellent equipment

[bushtree]

I have a 2003 Excelon Unit. Its great.. Never had a single problem with it.. (knock on wood.)

[98redrocktj]

979 has rca's for a center channel and has 1 single rca for a sub unlike all other decks have 2 (left and right). i love my 979

[98redrocktj]

979 has rca's for a center channel and has 1 single rca for a sub unlike all other decks have 2 (left and right). i love my 979