best ipod interface?

[helix66 10+ year member]

I've been lurking for a bit, found the site via a friend. Hope I'm not being redundant, but I just got an 80gb ipod and want to get a new hu to replace my old clarion 5760 and rdc1205 changer. I'm leaning towards this new Alpine CDA-9885, it seems that the alpine's have the best interaction and noticed that the pre-outs are 4v (not sure what that's all about....under-driving amp and distortion?). I am concerned a bit with sq, but poor ipod navigation is not an option.

TIA!

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[b0b 10+ year member]

i think the the alpine decks have the best ipod interface. i have a cda-9857 and i love it. the downside to these decks is that they lack the processing power or the older alpine decks.

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

CDA-9856/7 would be a great choice.

 

[iceteebone 5,000+ posts]

kca-422i is the best. it's full speed, costs $29.99 new, and is a single cable so you don't need a box and doesn't use up your ai-net input on your deck cause the newer decks now have a dedicaded ipod input.

 

[helix66 10+ year member]

Thanks for the inputs there. I know that alpines are nowhere near what they used to be, since my system isn't anything amazing to speak of and a bit old, I'd prefer the best navigation. I was considering the currently offered 9856/7 but saw that the 9885 is available soon and had 4v pre-outs. Again, not 100% sure what that's all about, but seemed to be one of several issues people complained about the alpines.

I was also planning on using their "KCE-422i Full Speed™ Connection Cable for iPod", and wanted to avoid "adapter-boxes" and such. Right now I'm using a casette adapter and the sq is awful at best, and PIE and PAC don't make an adapter for my ancient clarion (I spoke to a tech). I guess I could figure the pin-outs on the cd-changer input, but after all the time and adapters and mounts a new HU will cost the same.

***Processing power, that's referring to eq controls?

 

[Clean Sound 10+ year member]

If you are interested in the best newest Alpine interface you owe it to yourself to check out the following:

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http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/prod...model=iDA-X001

THis is due out in April.

 

[Clean Sound 10+ year member]

In case the first link did not work.

Try this, and the model number is iDA-X001

iDA-X001 Digital Media Receiver

http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=iDA-X001

 

[alxmlr789 10+ year member]

X2 on the 9857, got one and it works flawlessly, although you cant go back to your previous menu after choosing a song, you gotta start over. No big though, you get used to it

 

[helix66 10+ year member]

In case the first link did not work.
Try this, and the model number is iDA-X001

iDA-X001 Digital Media Receiver

http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=iDA-X001

That does look like the best option around, but no ability to play a cd seems a bit weird. Any idea what it might end up selling for, the alpine site is saying $450, so I'd guess actual retail will be a bit lower.

I'd consider the 9857, but not for $350, when the newer 9885 is $300.

 

[expo5.0 10+ year member]

why not just run the ipod in an aux. in?

i like controlling my ipod with my ipod personally

 

[PepsiFiend69 10+ year member]

i like how my pioneer handles the ipod, through the second generation pioneer adapter, the CD-Ib100II it lags a little, but the processing you can do with the higher end pioneers makes up for it.

 

[helix66 10+ year member]

I can't get an aux-in on my hu, it is a clarion pro audio 5760 from I think 1993! No one makes adapters (PIE or PAC), and as I said earlier by the time I get a good holder set up (pana vise-like) that'll probably run near 100ish.

I found this to be very odd about the KCE-422i Full Speed™ Connection Cable for iPod from that ipod observer site:

At present, only the fifth-generation iPod is fully supported with the USB connection, but Alpine expects the iPod nano to be supported in the near future with a firmware update from Apple. Other iPods will be supported with Alpine's Full Seed iPod cable, sold separately for about $30, although that connection is not digital.

 

[b0b 10+ year member]

***Processing power, that's referring to eq controls?

yes

 

[zSnb 10+ year member]

+2 on the Pioneer. You'll have alot more processing. The 2007 line of Pioneer's comes with the cable you need to connect your iPod. Its usb2.0 so the interface is much faster than the pre-2007 models. The 6900ub will have more tunability and come with the cable for just over $200. It also looks sexier in my opinion.