Do All HU's sound the same? Just different features? Alpine? Eclipse? Other? confused

[MediumTech 10+ year member]

I was under the impression that all HU's sounded the same using preamp outputs.

I was figuring that they all gave a flat / accurate signal to the seperate amplifiers and speakers, and that was all there was to it. Once again, my 20+year old education in audio equipment is getting me.

This Crutchfield article (below) on the Eclipse CD7200 mk II, has me doubting my thinking.

Can you guys help me understand what I need to consider for really high sound quality sound from a Head Unit? I'm shopping for new / used high quality HU now.

At first I was considering the $200 Alpine CDE-123 (Pandora Ready) Alpine CDE-123 CD receiver at Crutchfield.com

Then I got a reference to the $350 Alpine CDA-117 Alpine CDA-117 CD receiver at Crutchfield.com

and I was beginning to look at it.

Then this happened to my brain...

Then I saw a forum member bragging about- the Eclipse CD7200 mk II

This is Some of the Crutchfield writeup: Superior sound, Instead of including a noisy internal amplifier, the CD7200 mkII supplies noise-resistant signals to all of your outboard amps through its three sets of 8-volt preamp outputs. The digital sound processor offers an assortment of sonic adjustments, including a multi-band parametric equalizer and time alignment, while Circle Surround II creates a powerful surround effect with your stereo CDs. You can also download custom sound settings from Eclipse's web site.

Eclipse CD7200 mk II CD receiver at Crutchfield.com

Now I'm concerned and I'm asking for help. So far, many of you have helped me get through the waves of advertisement hype, and you've helped me begin putting a pretty nice system together.

What do I look for if I'm after high sound quality?

I was looking for Pandora ready stuff, then I realized that Pandora-ready and Apple i-Stuff are sleeping together and my Droid phone is just the photographer in the room (did I type that out loud?).

Anyway, I would like to be able to send Pandora into the head unit in a decent way, but I'm concerned about learning about issues of high quality sound.

HELP!

Click to read more...

 

[whitedragon551 5,000+ posts]

Generally a high to great headunit has a few features most dont. They come with options for time alignment, active capabilities either 2 way + sub or 3 way + sub, they have the ability to change slopes, and alot of the newer headunits have atleast 4v preouts or greater.

As far as SQ it depends. If your looking at the mkII thats pretty much one of the best SQ units out. If you want to save a little more you could look in the direction of the Eclipse CD7100 or CD7000, Pioneer PRS880 or PRS800, and the Alpine CDA-9887 or the CDA-117 (same internally as the 9887).

I run an Alpine CDA-9887 with the KCE-400BT module. I can stream Pandora to my headunit through bluetooth. I dont, but I can. I generally stick to my iPod with 320kbps MP3's. Most of the headunits mentioned dont have bluetooth capabilities without purchasing additional add on modules. You could use an auxiliary input to headphone jack and do it that way rather than streaming over BT. Should yield a bit better SQ over streaming. However its still not going to sound that great.

 

[pickup1 5,000+ posts]

Well some have more adjustments than others. The eclipse has time alignment and better eq controls.

Pioneer is the only one I know that has padora built in..other decks might have bluetooth streaming.

Get the right deck the first time,it starts the whole signal chain...

Look at the 9886,9887 alpines,7200 eclipse,those are some of the better ones..I run a pioneer myself.

 

[MediumTech 10+ year member]

Thanks guys. I've got some reading to do before I break out the Ben Franklins. This and wiring are almost my last pieces needed.

Do good head units show up in forum Classifieds sometimes?

 

[whitedragon551 5,000+ posts]

Thanks guys. I've got some reading to do before I break out the Ben Franklins. This and wiring are almost my last pieces needed. Do good head units show up in forum Classifieds sometimes?

Once you narrow down the headunit you want you can put up a WTB thread. Or you can do that now just to get an idea of what SQ units are available and chose from there.

 

[MediumTech 10+ year member]

Thanks guys. I'll be doing some readin' and lernin'.