Looking to use iPod.. guidance needed

[msaz87]

Hi, I'm not really a big car audio person... but i do like clean sound. So when i got my iPod, i wanted to use it through the stereo and bought an FM tuner.. but soon found out how poor of quality those can be. I drive an '04 Grand Am and don't have a tape deck... so that option was out.

I went to my local Best Buy and talked to a guy there, who said my best two options were either a Harmon/Kardon Drive + Play or an iPod-enabled deck. Since i only have a factory-standard deck, i figured the deck would be better, since it would improve the whole stereo too. I'm trying to go as cheap as possible... and he said only Alpine and JVC have decks (at least cheap ones) that can be installed with a connection running into the glovebox to connect to the iPod. With this, you can control the iPod directly through the deck.

The deck i was looking at was the CDA-9856 (http://www.alpine-usa.com/en/products/product.php?model=CDA-9856). With installation and the cord for the iPod, it would cost me about $300.

I just wanted to get someone's opinion about whether it's worth it... if there are other options... if something new might be coming out soon that i should wait for, etc.

Any guidance would be appreciated. Thanks.

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[zachzchw 5,000+ posts]

Pioneer also makes ipod compatible decks, as does Eclipse.

Best Buy isnt highly regarded around these parts- you can buy better equipment for the same price.

Look in the review section, for the review of the Pioneer 880prs and the ipod connector.

 

[msaz87]

I guess i should tell you.. i have like $90 in gift certificates to Best Buy. That's the main reason i'm looking there.

But if it's a big dropoff from what i can get there versus what i can get elsewhere.. i guess that's my next question.

I'll look for a review of the Alpine on here... unless you guys know off the top of your heads.

Thanks.

 

[zachzchw 5,000+ posts]

I have no experience with the alpine interface....I have the Pioneer 880 and the ipod adapter......

You can buy the Pioneer for about $315 on ebay.....use your gift certificates at best buy to get the ipod interface, if you choose to go that route. I believe it retails for $99.

Have a look at these threads:

http://www.caraudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=156907

http://www.caraudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=156323

 

[thejoker989 10+ year member]

You don't have to buy a head-unit that is ipod compatible. You can buy any head-unit with an aux-in and connect your ipod to it with a 3.5mm to RCA adapter (can be bought for under $2).

Of course you wont be controlling your ipod through the head-unit, nor will you be charging it, but you'll be able to find a headunit for under $150 that has an aux-in.

 

[HincklNutt 10+ year member]

for 300, id eitehr go with the 880PRS or the 780 both by pioneer, awesome decks for the price, and overall much better than the 9856

 

[SuperBlack350z 10+ year member]

The 9856 is alright, aside from the fullspeed ipod interface it's pretty comparable to a mid level pioneer or kenwood. I work at Best Buy (for now . . . 11 more days til the end!!) and as far as what they have, the ipod functionalitiy is probably the best on the Alpine, although I usually recommend Pioneer based on the fact that Pioneer hasn't sold out like Alpine to start making a strictly Best Buy quality product. But, the ipod interface on the Alpine is pretty good. You can get the 9857 for like 329 if you want a decent display, and if you buy the 9857 you get the 30 dollar ipod cable free. Like pretty much everyone else is saying though, the 880 w/ CDIB100II is about as good as it gets.