Eclipse CD8454 vs. CD8053 ?

[greg12a]

Hey guys, I need your professional help (Car Audio that is). I've been struggling with which Eclipse HU I should go with:

Eclipse CD8053 (Originally $549 - on sale for $299)

Eclipse CD8454 (Originally $599 - on sale for $349)

My current setup on my 4Runner:

- Eclipse CD5303 Headunit (5V - no amplification)

- MB Quart Tweeters, Mids, Co-Axs

- JL Audio 10 inch subs (2)

- A/D/S P640 (6 x 40 watts)

- A/D/S P1400 (1 x 400 wattts)

I'm finally joining the IPOD craze and my current 5303 doesn't have an aux-in to support the IPOD input. I know these are slightly older models, but will fit my needs well.

Do you have any recommendations on which head unit would be the best for my current setup (pros, cons, pain-points, etc)? My biggest concern is that the 8454 is unintuitive/quirky/and the controls are frustrating. Would it make sense to go CD8053 for it's pure simplicity and sound quality OR go with the 8454 with all the bells and whistles (custom-tuning, mp3, etc)?

- Would the optional balanced line adapter for the CD8053 make sense in my case - to go 16 volt - or unnecessary with my A/D/S amps (which at least back in the day were great amps)!

- I don't currently listen to MP3 discs (which the 8454 supports)...so don't think that's a big factor (unless I'm missing something and missing out)!

Thanks in advance!

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[3.5Max6spd 10+ year member]

flip a coin....either side it lands on you win. I've found that 95% of the heds that got the 88053 never went with the BLA- I'd personally go with the newer 8454

Controls are the same ergowise between both units.

 

[XDrkmanX 10+ year member]

Where can you get if for $299 brand new

 

[Hoot 10+ year member]

The fold out face drops way down in the 8454 and it has the memory stick that can download present eq settings (not sure if it really works well). Also, if it makes a difference to you, the 8454 display is a much more neutral off-white around the knobs, as opposed to the somewhat unforgiving quartz blue of the 8053.

Personally, if you are not going to utilize the BLA, I see no advantage to going with the 8053.... unless, that is, you simply want to save $50 and have zero interest in anything extra offered by the 54.

 

[johnecon2001 5,000+ posts]

I've got the 8053 and the BLA. SQ wise, going with 16v over 8v is a HUGE deal. You can pick up a BLA off of ebay for like $30 too.

 

[greg12a]

Thanks for your input fellas. I'm gonna go ahead and go with the 8053 and try out the Balanced Line Adapter. Both head units are great - and you're right, can't go wrong with either.

You can get the 8053 for $304 (just changed by $5) at http://www.cartoys.com (with free shipping too). It's local for me here in Seattle, but you can also get the price online.

Thanks again for your help!

Greg

 

[Hoot 10+ year member]

I've got the 8053 and the BLA. SQ wise, going with 16v over 8v is a HUGE deal. You can pick up a BLA off of ebay for like $30 too.

Tell us about it. I am curious.

Don't you have to run like 6 pairs of RCA cables to the BLA mounted in the trunk (assuming you are running rears, too)? And then 3 pairs of short-length RCAs to the amp/s? How would you describe the improvement in your setup?

 

[cjjackson85 5,000+ posts]

I'd personally check the input sensitivity on those A/D/S amps before you let loose on them with that 16v, even the 8v... Certain amps are no bueno with higher input voltage...

 

[greg12a]

Looks like the A/D/S amps input sensitivity ratings (from the manual) is "150mV to 10Vrms for full output".

Is that saying that 10V is the upper limit and don't attempt the Balanced configuration?

8053 8V = bueno?

BLA 16V = no bueno? (for my setup)

 

[johnecon2001 5,000+ posts]

Looks like the A/D/S amps input sensitivity ratings (from the manual) is "150mV to 10Vrms for full output".
Is that saying that 10V is the upper limit and don't attempt the Balanced configuration?

8053 8V = bueno?

BLA 16V = no bueno? (for my setup)

My ARC's are rated way below 16v and they do fine with that signal.

Tell us about it. I am curious.
Don't you have to run like 6 pairs of RCA cables to the BLA mounted in the trunk (assuming you are running rears, too)? And then 3 pairs of short-length RCAs to the amp/s? How would you describe the improvement in your setup?

You can just mount the BLA behind the HU if you want. That's what I did. I then replaced all of the RCA female ends with male ends so that I didn't have to get extensions from the HU to the BLA. Makes the whole process alot cheaper. Improvement wise, the signal got cleaner. Where the stray little piece of static or a bit of hum might have come through before, in the past three months since I got it, there's been none of that. I also was able to turn my gains almost to Zero. Which in turn keeps my amps a bit cooler. All in all, best compliment to my system thus far.

 

[cjjackson85 5,000+ posts]

Looks like the A/D/S amps input sensitivity ratings (from the manual) is "150mV to 10Vrms for full output".
Is that saying that 10V is the upper limit and don't attempt the Balanced configuration?

8053 8V = bueno?

BLA 16V = no bueno? (for my setup)

It truly depends on your listening habits, obviously you wouldn't fully receive those 8/16v RMS unless you were freakin' flooring your system to it's limits... I would just call it a day and get the 8454 w/mp3, I had it before and was very pleased. You wouldn't have to worry about the input sensitivity issues either... But on the other hand, you may have no problems at all with the 8053w/BLA... .02 ...

 

[groov2 10+ year member]

edit

 

[3.5Max6spd 10+ year member]

My ARC's are rated way below 16v and they do fine with that signal.


You can just mount the BLA behind the HU if you want. That's what I did. I then replaced all of the RCA female ends with male ends so that I didn't have to get extensions from the HU to the BLA. Makes the whole process alot cheaper. Improvement wise, the signal got cleaner. Where the stray little piece of static or a bit of hum might have come through before, in the past three months since I got it, there's been none of that. I also was able to turn my gains almost to Zero. Which in turn keeps my amps a bit cooler. All in all, best compliment to my system thus far.

so you are still running UNBALANCED....

 

[james33440 10+ year member]

I was going to use my CD8053 but I have one of the earlier models and the **** things locked up on me. Anyway, I am working it out with Eclipse now but I have since got a new Alpine CDA-9853.

Anyway, the BLA doesn't send the amps 16V. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif That's 16V from the deck to the BLA and then the BLA send the amps 10V. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif So, IMO, most amps can use 10V inputs at least most name brand amps can. lol

 

[denim 5,000+ posts]

edit, I miss read something sorry