The 9255 is THE current SQ head unit in production at the moment.. I agree, when you look at the specs and construction, it's one big hulking SQ CD player and pre/pro with a sure-enough hi-fi quality volume attenuator, and some pretty significant tri-amp crossover capability and superior time alignment.. All packed in a 1-din without room left over for an unnecessary and unused power amp... Not even a detach faceplate.. Instead of a plastic faceplate, it's a metal plate.. sheer quality.. For theft deterrent, I suggest welding it to the firewall and a large dog on duty at all times and bars on the windows with deadbolts in the doors. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif
If I had the cash, it would be my ONLY pick.. A good economical alternative is the 880, premier unit.. That will probably be my pick in the new car.
My dream SQ head unit would be:
- NO CD Player at all.. Why have all the moving parts to break.
- USB/iPod built in - any format lossless or other on USB stick or iPod.. and fast easy access.
- Bluetooth - Why the heck not.. It's way nice, safer use of driving with a cell phone
- 3-way digital crossover like the 9255 or 880
- Digital Auto Time Alignment and EQ of the 880
- NO internal Amp.. Preamp only (not an entry level unit).
- Superior or best available DAC's / processing. ie. burr-brown, etc.
- Good high V preouts w/o pigtails.
- Copper chassis of the 9255
- Simple, no flash faceplate of the 9255 without a bunch of cheap flashy hard to see buttons and screens.
- Excellent build quality of the 9255 internals and faceplate
- Detachable face and/or code-entry if pulled from power.. statement ON the back of the face when detached....
"Useless If Stolen... Thief, go get a job and EARN one"
- Oh, and a great radio section as well.. with satellite external/optional.
Alpine has a potential platform with this Non-CD player unit I see, but it's NOT to the level of the 880 in SQ features.
Message to Alpine, Eclipse, Kenwood, Clarion whomever... Build this head unit, get it under $500 or at least offer a budget version and a full-blown version and you know it could be affordable (no freakin amp or cd player in the thing for Pete's sake), and it WILL sell and be a legend.. and leave it alone for a few years like the 9255.
Can I get an Amen!?! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/yumyum.gif.0556df42231b304b9c995aefd13928a8.gif