Alpine HU (not 2005 line)

[Darkness 10+ year member]

I have a little old car, and I was trying to hold off until I got a better one to get a HU, but I can't deal with playing tapes and repetetive Florida radio stations anymore! With that being said, I've done some research (google and good ole:search: ), and for price/performance/looks, I have decided to go with Alpine (but nothing from their 2005 line which I've read is pretty wack). I've narrowed it down to alpine's 981x decks and their 983x decks.

1. My 1st question is, which models fall under those categories (981x or 983x)? I think the 983x series comes as the 9830, 9831, 9833, and the 9835.
   
2. Is the difference between the 981x line and 983x line based on model year?
   
3. Is there some website where I can do side-by-side comparisons? It seems like I can only do that for the newer models, but I'm looking to compare the slightly older ones.
   

In terms of...

NEED:

• WMA support
  
• detachable face
  
• Must be fold down face, where the CD ejects from behind the faceplate, not the ones that have the spot for the CD built right into the face, like most of the cheaper model HU's
  
• CD Text and MP3/WMA Tag Informtation Display
  
• at least 4V pre-out
  

WANT:

• Sirius support
  
• green or selectable illumination
  
• motorized face
  
• i-Personalize
  

Now those are my "tangible" preferences. If you have any experience with any of those decks, please speak on:

1. Difficulty of navigating and displaying song text (ID3 tag or CD text). I understand that's a relative thing, but any input would be appreciated
   
2. Readabilty during the day (in regards to direct/indirect sunlight)
   
3. WMA/MP3 load times
   
4. any reliablity issues or other important random notes
   

I'm really excited because I have a great collection of music that's waiting to get pumped in the hooptie, but I've never really gotten the chance. Once I settle on an HU or 2, I will be leaving every rock unturned in order to get the best price and then install it ASAP!//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/thumbsupwink.gif.129404938effda6ad9cca39e7f4b58a3.gif

PS: I remember when the Phantom Face decks came out, I was in love. Only problem is, at that time WMA support wasn't really a big thing, so maybe that's why they didn't include it. But if they ever brought out a newer model with WMA support I'd probably be all over it.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/yumyum.gif.0556df42231b304b9c995aefd13928a8.gif

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[Slaugh 10+ year member]

well the 9835 is the 9815 actually... and i think 9833 is the 9813, although they are all the same hus internally (they use the same internal components if i recall now)...

alpine has been going downhill on the last years, i would stay away from 05 line... 9835 seems to be the best choice so far, despite it's gay look and shit, it doesnt have the weak preouts of the 9813/9815...

but if you REALLY want a good sounding hu (note here we're talking about SQ), well then dude, go for 7998 or 7878... for real, i've been only hearing amazing stuff about these hu's... they are 01/02 lines,b ut they have a MUCH better SQ than the newer ones... (if MP3 aint a matter search for 7892 or 7949 or even the most acclaimed of all, the old skool 7909)

too bad 7998 has a known issue of motorized face plate wearing off and the 7878 uses the F1 transport which seems to give people headache after some time...

i'd still sacrifice everything for the SQ... Alpine has been in the market for years and has been well known for HIGH SOUND QUALITY PRODUCTS and not FANCY LOOKING DECKS...

if you want also go for an Eclipse HU, ive been hearing they have a much better SQ than these new alpine decks but i highly doubt they can beat the older alpines...

well, it's up to you

edit: oh and FYI, I-Personalize IS definetely the WORST technology EVER built into a deck... and the 9815 and 9835 have problems with mp3 load times (2-3 seconds)...

 

[dbhittin 5,000+ posts]

i just got a CDA-7892, i just get it tomorrow in the mail and i will let u know how it works.. looks like a decent deck

 

[AVSTANG02]

well the 9835 is the 9815 actually... and i think 9833 is the 9813, although they are all the same hus internally (they use the same internal components if i recall now)...
alpine has been going downhill on the last years, i would stay away from 05 line... 9835 seems to be the best choice so far, despite it's gay look and shit, it doesnt have the weak preouts of the 9813/9815...

but if you REALLY want a good sounding hu (note here we're talking about SQ), well then dude, go for 7998 or 7878... for real, i've been only hearing amazing stuff about these hu's... they are 01/02 lines,b ut they have a MUCH better SQ than the newer ones... (if MP3 aint a matter search for 7892 or 7949 or even the most acclaimed of all, the old skool 7909)

too bad 7998 has a known issue of motorized face plate wearing off and the 7878 uses the F1 transport which seems to give people headache after some time...

i'd still sacrifice everything for the SQ... Alpine has been in the market for years and has been well known for HIGH SOUND QUALITY PRODUCTS and not FANCY LOOKING DECKS...

if you want also go for an Eclipse HU, ive been hearing they have a much better SQ than these new alpine decks but i highly doubt they can beat the older alpines...

well, it's up to you

edit: oh and FYI, I-Personalize IS definetely the WORST technology EVER built into a deck... and the 9815 and 9835 have problems with mp3 load times (2-3 seconds)...

You are not allowed to speak about Alpine products.

Until you get a clue.

 

[JLCivic 10+ year member]

The 9835 seemed to improve upon the weak pre out issues that many had with previous models(including the 9815).

I would buy an eclipse(05 stuff has a sirius tuner available, great sound, great warranty available).

 

[Darkness 10+ year member]

I would buy an eclipse(05 stuff has a sirius tuner available, great sound, great warranty available).

I knew it was only a matter of time before someone suggested Eclipse. For the features that I need, the eclipse units are out of my price range, but don't get me wrong, they seem to be great HU's from what everyone says. However, for my needs, and my price range, it's just not a good look.

 

[JLCivic 10+ year member]

I knew it was only a matter of time before someone suggested Eclipse. For the features that I need, the eclipse units are out of my price range, but don't get me wrong, they seem to be great HU's from what everyone says. However, for my needs, and my price range, it's just not a good look.

Sorry I didn't see the detach face part(although how effective that is is an entire other discussion). Eclipse has decks that are 5V/sirius ready/mp3/motorized face for $229 authorized.

You do have to go up to the 5435($349) to get wma capability.

What is your budget and have you also considered Clarion. If you could have found a clarion 835 from a couple of years ago, it would have fit your needs(cheap).....good deck too.

Buy an alpine if you want, but honestly, your research didn't take you very far if you are still considering the 981X series, imo. There were plenty of people who had issues with weak pre outs. If I had to buy an alpine from the past few years, I would grab a 9835.

 

[02Corvette 10+ year member]

Speaking of old school Alpine HU's...

Try to pick up a clean used 78XX series Alpine off here.

 

[Slaugh 10+ year member]

You are not allowed to speak about Alpine products.
Until you get a clue.

get on my clue plz

 

[Darkness 10+ year member]

Sorry I didn't see the detach face part(although how effective that is is an entire other discussion). Eclipse has decks that are 5V/sirius ready/mp3/motorized face for $229 authorized.
You do have to go up to the 5435($349) to get wma capability.

I decided against going with the eclipse because for what I need, it's out of my price range. I'm looking to spend between $200-$225 (including tax, shipping, etc). Money is tight (when is it not?) so even though I love that 5435, no way am I dropping $349 right now. If WMA support wasn't important to me, I'd be able to consider a much wider range of decks. For example I was considering the 2004 line of Eclipse's, but they lack WMA support, plus I have read where there's no pause button or something like that. Also, I read where with the 983X series, you can search for an mp3/wma while playing one, which would be an excellent feature to have with the 100 or so songs I have on each disc

What is your budget and have you also considered Clarion. If you could have found a clarion 835 from a couple of years ago, it would have fit your needs(cheap).....good deck too.

I didn't consider Clarion, because it seems that when people rank HU's, it's behind Eclipse and the older Alpine's. Now I'm sure certain Clarion HU's beat out certain Eclipse's and Alpine's, but overall, they seem to be behind Eclipse and Alpine.

I googled that Clarion DXZ835MP and it seems to have the feature set I'm looking for, but 1) I've seen where people have said it's very slow to load mp3's, and as I said, most of what I play will be mp3/wma CD's, so that's a big no-no right there, and 2) I'm not feeling the aesthetics, and before anyone here flames me, I do consider that to be somewhat important. I also read a lot about reliability issues, with it choking on discs, display problems, etc. It fits in my price range and has the features I deem necessary, but with the slow mp3 load times (major) and being that I personally like the look of the eclipes and alpines better (minor), I don't think I'd go with the Clarion DXZ835MP , but thanks for the suggestion.

Buy an alpine if you want, but honestly, your research didn't take you very far if you are still considering the 981X series, imo. There were plenty of people who had issues with weak pre outs. If I had to buy an alpine from the past few years, I would grab a 9835.

JL, this is the 1st thread I've read that mentions the pre-out issues. I searched many forums and google, but better late than never, so thanks for that bit of info. That more or less rules out the 981x series for me then.

Try to pick up a clean used 78XX series Alpine off here.

It appears the 78XX series doesn't have at least one of the features I consider a necessity, WMA support.
I just want to re-emphasize that I specified at the start of the thread what is an absolute neccessity for me, so I won't consider any HU's that don't at least have those features. I tried to make my inquiry here very clear and organized, so if anyone could touch on some of the other issues I raised in the opening post, please do so.

I really appreciate the advice thus far though, keep it coming y'all!

 

[Darkness 10+ year member]

bump

 

[skierxx5556 10+ year member]

I have a 9815 and love it! How would I be able to tell if my preouts were bad?

 

[Slaugh 10+ year member]

I have a 9815 and love it! How would I be able to tell if my preouts were bad?

are the gain for your sub on the amplifier cranked too high?

 

[JLCivic 10+ year member]

are the gain for your sub on the amplifier cranked too high?

Many people who buy decks are purchasing their first one so they have zero frame of reference for where gains should be....or it is possible that the pre outs on his 9815 are ok(but given the # of complaints I saw, I think it was an issue with that model....and other alpines...seemed to be fixed last year though).

 

[Slaugh 10+ year member]

Many people who buy decks are purchasing their first one so they have zero frame of reference for where gains should be....or it is possible that the pre outs on his 9815 are ok(but given the # of complaints I saw, I think it was an issue with that model....and other alpines...seemed to be fixed last year though).

the problem haunted some 2002 and 2003 models... was fixt on 2004 line thou.... b