Final SQ Deck Choices: Poll

[3.5Max6spd 10+ year member]

DRZ...although the EQ for such a priced deck is rather cheesy...

But I guess if there was a perfect deck out there we would've all heard about it by now...

 

[chadillac3 10+ year member]

I voted 9855 w/ H701...honestly, while the 9255 is a wonderful piece, if it's going to be your only processing it's limited. It doesn't even do 24 dB/octave slopes. 5 band PEQ just like the 9855. I was really considering this deck at one time, but couldn't justifty it since for **** near the same price I could get any Alpine deck and use the H701.

H701 really does kick ***. Seriously. I've only had mine installed for about 2 weeks, and it's a really wonderful piece. Hell, you don't even have to use an Alpine deck since it does have an RCA input.

 

[fatryan 5,000+ posts]

Until you add on the processor, and I personally like Glidetouch now that I'm used to it, it is the best way to do the iPod interface short of a flip out touchscreen. That deck doesn't blow, I put one in my dad's car and its quite nice, but there are better out there for sure.

aw man, well i hate the shit outta it. hands down the worst sq deck ive ever owned

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

I voted 9855 w/ H701...honestly, while the 9255 is a wonderful piece, if it's going to be your only processing it's limited. It doesn't even do 24 dB/octave slopes. 5 band PEQ just like the 9855. I was really considering this deck at one time, but couldn't justifty it since for **** near the same price I could get any Alpine deck and use the H701.
H701 really does kick ***. Seriously. I've only had mine installed for about 2 weeks, and it's a really wonderful piece. Hell, you don't even have to use an Alpine deck since it does have an RCA input.

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/word.gif.64b12e39f936af3b4fff38a1c0bd0244.gif

As far as flexibility and processing power; Alpine setup hands down.

Though, correct me if I'm wrong......the 9855 won't fully control the H701, correct? You would still need the RUX-C701, no? I was always under the assumption that it was only the media managers that controlled the H701 w/o the RUX.

 

[headshok2002 10+ year member]

Yeah I had a 9855 for a while... I don't use an iPod, as I dont use MP3's... and I don't like clutter, in my car //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

I did however, hate the 9855 with all of my heart. It was a glorious day when I got my 7998 back. I remember that day as if it were yesterday... *sigh*

 

[chadillac3 10+ year member]

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/word.gif.64b12e39f936af3b4fff38a1c0bd0244.gif
As far as flexibility and processing power; Alpine setup hands down.

Though, correct me if I'm wrong......the 9855 won't fully control the H701, correct? You would still need the RUX-C701, no? I was always under the assumption that it was only the media managers that controlled the H701 w/o the RUX.

Corect. I have the RUX-C701. Have the cable run to my center console. The actual C701 has a 1 ft cable coming off of it that I can plug in and unplug. You don't have to have the C701 for the H701 to work, just to make changes. Nice thing is now that I have the C701 I could put another H701 in the truck if and when I put a system in it and not need another C701.

 

[chadillac3 10+ year member]

Yeah I had a 9855 for a while... I don't use an iPod, as I dont use MP3's... and I don't like clutter, in my car //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif
I did however, hate the 9855 with all of my heart. It was a glorious day when I got my 7998 back. I remember that day as if it were yesterday... *sigh*

If you don't use an iPod or MP3, then I'd wholeheartedly recommend what you have or even a 9835. The Glide Touch is ONLY useful w/ iPod.

 

[skierxx5556 10+ year member]

I voted for the DRZ but that kenwood deck is a pretty sweet unit as well I wouldnt look past it.

 

[chadillac3 10+ year member]

The XXV-01D is a nice unit; had one for awhile. EQ is more limited than it should have been.

 

[DiamondFanatic 10+ year member]

I voted 9855 w/ H701...honestly, while the 9255 is a wonderful piece, if it's going to be your only processing it's limited. It doesn't even do 24 dB/octave slopes. 5 band PEQ just like the 9855. I was really considering this deck at one time, but couldn't justifty it since for **** near the same price I could get any Alpine deck and use the H701.
H701 really does kick ***. Seriously. I've only had mine installed for about 2 weeks, and it's a really wonderful piece. Hell, you don't even have to use an Alpine deck since it does have an RCA input.

Do you think the CD reading quality and information quality in the outputs is as good on the Alpine combo as it is with a DRZ9255?

 

[chadillac3 10+ year member]

LOL, I can **** near guarantee that...do you understand how the information is taken off of a cd and what happens from there?

If you really want the best route, get a D300 from Crutchfield for $1k and the H701 for $400ish. It's expensive, but you get a digitial output from the D300 to the H701 and it can control the H701 directly. Or, you can get a DVA-9860 for like $300 on eBay and get the same capability.

 

[DiamondFanatic 10+ year member]

LOL, I can **** near guarantee that...do you understand how the information is taken off of a cd and what happens from there?
If you really want the best route, get a D300 from Crutchfield for $1k and the H701 for $400ish. It's expensive, but you get a digitial output from the D300 to the H701 and it can control the H701 directly. Or, you can get a DVA-9860 for like $300 on eBay and get the same capability.

Or I could buy all of it through work.. and get my warranties and not have to deal with e-bay difficulties. I don't know if you even read the rest of my posts, about how I WORK AT AN ALPINE DEALER and also about how I ONLY WANTED THINGS IN THE PRICE RANGE OF THOSE LISTED or not, but thanks for your input. I will not be buying the Alpine setup, rather have a nicer feeling deck the the 9855 and I don't need a DVD player.

 

[chadillac3 10+ year member]

Fair enough. I do wish Alpine had an $800-1k MSRP single DIN deck that could control the H701 and have the Biolite screen.

 

[MrBlack 10+ year member]

Originally posted by chadillac3LOL, I can **** near guarantee that...do you understand how the information is taken off of a cd and what happens from there?

It has alot less to do with how the CD player picks up the information off the cd and alot more to do with what the system does with that info while converting it to an analog signal that the rest of your stereo can understand and thereafter. I can more than "**** near guarantee" that the 9855 comes no where near to the quality of the signal that the DRZ9255 outputs, even if you paired the Alpine with the H701 processor, because you're still starting with the 9855 as the weakest link in the signal chain. You could even take a direct digital signal and input it into the 701 and in most cases I think the 9255 would still come out on top.

Would my friends most likely be able to hear the difference?

No.

Would the difference between the two really matter?

To me, most definately.

Which deck would I buy?

If I were forced into making a decision, out of the choices provided, definately the 9255, with the P9 a distant second.

 

[3.5Max6spd 10+ year member]

It has alot less to do with how the CD player picks up the information off the cd and alot more to do with what the system does with that info while converting it to an analog signal that the rest of your stereo can understand and thereafter. I can more than "**** near guarantee" that the 9855 comes no where near to the quality of the signal that the DRZ9255 outputs, even if you paired the Alpine with the H701 processor, because you're still starting with the 9855 as the weakest link in the signal chain. You could even take a direct digital signal and input it into the 701 and in most cases I think the 9255 would still come out on top.
.

Actually you can use any HU with the H701, get the same results...once you plug in the 701, the deck becomes a transport only-all processing done by the 701DAC's. Granted the DAC quality and preout quality is not on the same level, but flexibility is no question.

The 9255 is a hit or miss IMO. Yes on its own its as good a transport you can get.

Great deck, solid foundation but greatly overrated and has its shortcomings.

5band EQ total for a 4way setup? Add outboard analog eq's and you lose time alignment....losing tuneability.

To run 3way mode i hear the xovers are limiting.

18db xover slope max? Why on gods earth, in offering a deck to do 4 way ACTIVE would you limit its capability for active users to 18db slopes?I mean at least 24db would've been nice, although for the price i'd expect even more.