Head Unit opinions on sound quality

[99chevy7.4L 10+ year member]

hello this is my first post. I have been shopping for a new head unit. I have a nakamichi 45z right now. I am thinking either a nakamichi cd500 or a Eclipse 8051 which is supposed to be newer version of the 7200.

Right now I believe the head unit to be the wink link. The cd transport in my current nak has issues and goes thru mood swings. My amplifiers for those interested are a Carver PMA4075 and a Harmon Kardon CA-260. I know there old school but they are sweet sounding. My front speakers are boston acoustic 5.25 comps. And the rear speaks are Polk 5.25 two way coaxials. I am after sound quality not volume. Considering all my gear I ask for a recommendation. Oh an 8 inch Bazooka bass tube is my sub. Its all about the mids and highs right now.

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[adam71 5,000+ posts]

Budget??

 

[99chevy7.4L 10+ year member]

350-400

 

[adam71 5,000+ posts]

These are a couple old school decks that were known for absolute SQ.

Denon DCT-A100 cd player from Japan CopperChassi - eBay (item 180557919890 end time Sep-16-10 18:23:55 PDT)

Clarion DRZ9255 CD In Dash Receiver - eBay (item 150488630406 end time Sep-07-10 20:12:42 PDT)

 

[99chevy7.4L 10+ year member]

Thanks for the reply. that Denon is nice. Also one more question as far as 5.25 components go what would be a step up from the boston acoustics I have now. I was looking at the alpine SPX13REF series comps. Any ideas or opinions on them.

 

[adam71 5,000+ posts]

I don't have any experience on Alpine or Boston speakers. But I will say those Alpines wouldn't that much of a step up. If you're wanting to make a big leap from what you have maybe try something from CDT, Focal, Dynaudio, or maybe DLS.

This is a good place to look. Not really cheap but a great selection.

http://www.woofersetc.com/

 

[99chevy7.4L 10+ year member]

Any recommendation on CDT's or Focal. I don't know if dynaudio would break the bank though. There stuff in home audio you need a mortgage to buy it. AS for sound I am looking for a very accurate and detailed midrange. I listen to alot of jazz and acoustic guitar. The mids I have now are slightly muffled and not dimensionally clear. Maybe that is the wrong term. A piano or acoustic guitar should have a some what 3 dimensional sound to it. And right now the boston's just don't do it. There tweets are nice but the mid 5.25 is not desirable to my ears.

 

[99chevy7.4L 10+ year member]

I was looking at this mid and keeping my tweets. I can edit the crossover if need be.

5.25" CDT Audio HD-5 High Definition Cast Mid-Woofer - eBay (item 110455519585 end time Oct-04-10 20:08:48 PDT)

 

[ejschultz 10+ year member]

****, that guy that got the 9255 got that for one hell of a price. I would have bid had I found that. As far as mids go, I just swapped some PPI 355CS components into my Jeep and they are simply amazing. They do lack a little in the midbass department, but they're 5.25s and I'm used to the Pioneer Premiers in my car so I think I'm expecting a little too much out of them. As far as your 3D sound, I know exactly what you're talking about. The PPIs definitely have it. They're discontinued and they're rather difficult to find for a decent price. I was lucky enough to purchase mine for $90 new in box. I think you can find them for about $250 before shipping online. The tweeters are also very nice, detailed, and smooth tweeters. They're by far the best tweeters I've ever ran in anything and they compare to a lot of high end tweeters I've demoed.