Alpine CDA-9887 Listed in Crutchfield

[Babs 10+ year member]

I'm hoping all the brands will realize this. I don't think I'm the only one that couldn't care less about a cute color screen as well. I'm all about good circuit boards, dac's, processing, noise reduction and long-term rock-solid reliability/performance.

 

[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

Looks to have a pretty good feature set for a suggested retail of $400 //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

7-band GEQ switchable to a 5-band PEQ...

6-channel T/A...

Burr-Brown DAC...(although not an ODD setup which is odd to me...)

And for those that are decidedly not fans of motorized faceplates of any kind?

The 9887 doesn't have one //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[grampi 10+ year member]

It almost seems like car audio is going the way of home audio, that is whereas all components are becoming throw-away items. They probably figure you're going to be looking to upgrade every 3-4 years anyway because of advances in technology, so why build them to last longer than that? I also think they are going the wrong way with features. They're doing away with features that allow for things that directly effect SQ in favor of adding those that support external bells and whistles. I'd rather have the SQ stuff.

 

[desertheat 10+ year member]

9835 is basically the same deck as the 9887, and the 9887 is taking forever to get here and the overseas people are price gouging them like auaudio so I bought another 9835 to hold me over until I can test out the 9887.

Asked alpine about a release date 4-5 times and they NEVER have an answer... just it is coming this summer, and I reply it is freakin 114 outside and I still do not see it for sale!! Sheesh. You need more summer than this to release it?

 

[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

It almost seems like car audio is going the way of home audio, that is whereas all components are becoming throw-away items. They probably figure you're going to be looking to upgrade every 3-4 years anyway because of advances in technology, so why build them to last longer than that? I also think they are going the wrong way with features. They're doing away with features that allow for things that directly effect SQ in favor of adding those that support external bells and whistles. I'd rather have the SQ stuff.

While you, me, and the majority of the forum regulars feel this way you have to take into consideration that folks like us make up a small minority of the buying public.

Think of all the purchases made through Best Buy, Circuit City, Car Toys, etc....

The average customer (I'm speaking in generalities here) in a setting like that would have absolutely zero use for good time alignment, a really outstanding EQ whether it be a graphic or a parametric setup, etc.

All they want is for it to play CDs (sometimes .mp3/.wma decoding is a plus, sometimes they just don't care) and for there to be a way to attach their iPods to it.

It's sensible business, to tell the truth, regardless of whether or not those of us who both appreciate and utilize a higher-end feature set suffer for it. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif

 

[Babs 10+ year member]

And for those that are decidedly not fans of motorized faceplates of any kind?

The 9887 doesn't have one //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

Cool.. One less thing to die on you.

Flip down, push up.. Works for me.

 

[inapontiac 10+ year member]

old alpine > new alpine

 

[grampi 10+ year member]

old alpine > new alpine

Can't argue with that.

 

[ghart999 10+ year member]

old alpine > new alpine

That's why I just bought a used 7998 instead of waiting for the 9887. Couldn't be happier with the SQ of this thing.

 

[Fixxer 10+ year member]

For the amount they charge for these things there is no reason the whole unit isn't customizeable. Full color changeable backlighting for controls, color OEL screen, good internals, and realistic HO preout voltages. It would be nice to have higherend models with options for no internal amps too.

I'm hoping all the brands will realize this. I don't think I'm the only one that couldn't care less about a cute color screen as well. I'm all about good circuit boards, dac's, processing, noise reduction and long-term rock-solid reliability/performance.

 

[AVX Mike 10+ year member]

Alpine is taking orders from dealers on July 1st for the 9887 deck. It will control the Imprint processor that should come out very soon also. They are expected to ship the first half of August from what my alpine rep told us about a week ago. The Imprint is basically a F#1 status processor without a few of the features.

 

[CrazedCat 10+ year member]

UGH. Thanks for that info. I can't wait that long. Hello 880prs...

I tinker with that for a while until it's confirmed the 9887 is worth the purchase.

 

[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

For the amount they charge for these things there is no reason the whole unit isn't customizeable. Full color changeable backlighting for controls, color OEL screen, good internals, and realistic HO preout voltages. It would be nice to have higherend models with options for no internal amps too.

It's been awhile since someone built a true "deadhead" but there are more than a few models from various manufacturers which offer defeatable internal amps.

Are none of the better Alpines included in the list which offer that?

 

[Babs 10+ year member]

It's been awhile since someone built a true "deadhead" but there are more than a few models from various manufacturers which offer defeatable internal amps.

Are none of the better Alpines included in the list which offer that?

With the digital amps they're using now, they can cram them into about any head unit, plus the rest of the circuitry has shrunk in size, allowing more room though with more processing compared to years past... But yes, true "deadheads" or preamp only units are far and few betweeen.. just the drz9255 and the P9 come to mind.. I remember even the Excelon's had one deadhead "SQ" unit.. That's going back.. I had one.. actually two of the same model because the ribbon cable issue with their faceplates.. stunk.. Killed both units.. shameful! Sounded killer before they died though.

The 9887 has a "Power IC OFF" function to kill power to internal amps and better SQ.. page 26 of the 9887R (non-US) manual. I imagine or would hope it's a feature on a lot of their HU's but maybe not.

 

[blue93corsica 10+ year member]

With the digital amps they're using now, they can cram them into about any head unit, plus the rest of the circuitry has shrunk in size, allowing more room though with more processing compared to years past... But yes, true "deadheads" or preamp only units are far and few betweeen.. just the drz9255 and the P9 come to mind.. I remember even the Excelon's had one deadhead "SQ" unit.. That's going back.. I had one.. actually two of the same model because the ribbon cable issue with their faceplates.. stunk.. Killed both units.. shameful! Sounded killer before they died though.
The 9887 has a "Power IC OFF" function to kill power to internal amps and better SQ.. page 26 of the 9887R (non-US) manual. I imagine or would hope it's a feature on a lot of their HU's but maybe not.

you can defeat the internal amp on all of alpines HU's even with their entry level cde-9870

 

[Chevyaudio 5,000+ posts]

Defeat does NOT turn off the amp. Merely turns EQ/crossover functions off/flat.

POWER-IC turns the internal amp off.

 

[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

With the digital amps they're using now

Digital amps = no such thing ~ see the thread discussing this exact topic from yesterday...

they can cram them into about any head unit, plus the rest of the circuitry has shrunk in size, allowing more room though with more processing compared to years past... But yes, true "deadheads" or preamp only units are far and few betweeen.. just the drz9255 and the P9 come to mind.. I remember even the Excelon's had one deadhead "SQ" unit..

The last true 'deadhead' eXcelon model that I recall was the Z928 (or something akin to that?) and it didn't have the ill-fated D-Mask+ revolving faceplate that proved to be so problematic.

That's going back.. I had one.. actually two of the same model because the ribbon cable issue with their faceplates.. stunk.. Killed both units.. shameful! Sounded killer before they died though.

What model eXcelon are you talking about?

The 9887 has a "Power IC OFF" function to kill power to internal amps and better SQ.. page 26 of the 9887R (non-US) manual. I imagine or would hope it's a feature on a lot of their HU's but maybe not.

Several eXcelons feature that ability. Matter of fact they've featured in for quite some time - dating back to the KDC-X569 I had about 5 years ago now...

It's not surprising that Alpine would offer something similar.

 

[Babs 10+ year member]

Digital amps = no such thing ~ see the thread discussing this exact topic from yesterday...
The last true 'deadhead' eXcelon model that I recall was the Z928 (or something akin to that?) and it didn't have the ill-fated D-Mask+ revolving faceplate that proved to be so problematic.

What model eXcelon are you talking about?

Several eXcelons feature that ability. Matter of fact they've featured in for quite some time - dating back to the KDC-X569 I had about 5 years ago now...

It's not surprising that Alpine would offer something similar.

... Well either a non-standard mosfet style or some other.. class t or d or other. I won't presume to be an amp expert so ok on the digital amp correction. no contest.

Yeah these old excelons I had were each the same model and they had the d-mask issue. Man I wouldn't remember the model# if I tried.. might be able to identify the thing from a picture but kenwood's site doesn't go back that far.. I'm talking 96 or 97ish.. OLD as heck.. That one you listed was about the right "style" of model#. Way prior to seeing time alignment or internal crossovers, etc. Had a smaller faceplate than the usual and very squared off / rectangular... Had the "mystery" you-find it button on the faceplate that would activate it if you had it closed up.. Great idea.. terrible design. Really hurt Kenwood I take it.. people still remember the "d-mask" issue.. Both did the same thing.. no more faceplate function.

 

[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

The malady of the ribbon cable on almost all of the D-Mask+ equipped HUs getting damaged and consequently turning whatever HU that featured it into a paperweight before too much time of actual use went by was sadly all too commonly experienced by Kenwood owners. Unfortunately, IMO, that was the largest contributor to Kenwood's popularity falling off so sharply in the mid-90s.

Through better R&D and the release of better and better gear with each succeeding model year they are slowly but surely gaining that momentum back but it's been a long, hard road and they may never get back the market share they once enjoyed.

I have one of the non-motorized D-Mask units but it's a cassette deck (KRC-608). It's the very last cassette deck I ever bought before I got myself a CD player. Strangely the non-motorized version that I have has never given me the first moment's trouble and works flawlessly to this day! (I still have the unit and use it as a source deck on my test bench)

 

[Babs 10+ year member]

Yeah it really knocked them off the pedestal and opened up the mass-market to companies like Alpine which back in those days was a lot more "installer/shop/exclusive" for lack of better terms.

I'll guess Sony saw its demise in Car Audio righteously due to the crrrrrap they were pushing... Almost like the company really doesn't have any interest in car audio anymore.. I'm really not sure what Sony's real interest is other than owning the royalties and licensing for the silly flat discs with holes in the middle that we claw after on store shelves. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

But I digress... Yes, I'm one of the bunch waiting on the 9887 to see if it's all that, but haven't sold-in just yet to just the 9887.. Also considering an OEM setup MS-8 or H650 maybe or a 3sixty.2 if I can find THE deal.. and if I can get over the thought of oem quality D/A conversion, then back to D, then back to A.. yuk.