Man, Am I torn!!! Input appreciated!

[onefastsi 10+ year member]

Ok...So, some of you might know, but I'm looking for a new source unit. SQ is my priority, but I also want something functional for what I need. My choices so far that I've narrowed it down to:

1. Eclipse CD7000 w/iPod and GPS units

2. Eclipse CD7100: love the 8 volts!

3. Clarion DRZ9255: just sooo sexy!

4. Alpine X001: I like this for the iPod compatiblity and function...and figure I don't need a CD player if I have 7000 songs on an iPod! But, not sure how it compares in SQ vs. the rest.

Money in this group is no issue, unless the extra cost doesn't bear the rewards. Cost vs. performance is a key factor.

Thanks for any input!!

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[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

drz9255... amazing sq h/u

 

[Babs 10+ year member]

I second that.. The DRZ9255 is in a completely different league altogether. The dacs, the chassis, the processing, the external power supply. It's the Krell of head units, with no real competition except the P9 or external processing with a DVD head unit firing optical into an H701.

If CD audio SQ is your thing, the 9255 gets my vote.

The 7100 has some fans around here as well for a 2nd alternative.. I wonder about the 7100 vs the 7000 as to what improvements were made.

The X001 has good dacs and very ipod friendly but no TA, and minimal EQ and crossovers, which is a shame.. They reeeeeeally need an X002 with the 9255's brains and component quality.. or at least an optical out version that would drive an H701.

If you can hang for a while, I'm waiting on a CDA-9887 which is supposed to be Alpine's SQ audio unit, not counting the F1.

 

[onefastsi 10+ year member]

Ok...now, the CDA9887 seems to be out...and it's cheap! $399?? Am I looking at the right thing??

This info has been great! I wish I could get the X001 with the details of the 9255! oh well, I think it's down to these 2 regardless, SQ over good sound and convenience.

Thanks and any additional input is welcome.

 

[Tonyguy 10+ year member]

you could always get the x001 and get some external processing i.e. an audiocontrol unit.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

 

[onefastsi 10+ year member]

you could always get the x001 and get some external processing i.e. an audiocontrol unit.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

For instance? I have a few old audiocontrol pieces...EQL and EPI Center, what would I be looking for additional?

 

[Tonyguy 10+ year member]

i meant something along the lines of the dqs or dqxs.

 

[denim 5,000+ posts]

8 volts!

 

[JonJT 10+ year member]

Those extra volts the 7100 provide mean nothng. Only consider the 7100 if has features you actually want.

 

[Babs 10+ year member]

Ok...now, the CDA9887 seems to be out...

Out where? I think Australia maybe.. Not in the states yet unless maybe the full-boat retail-installers have them.

 

[onefastsi 10+ year member]

oops, my bad, i searched cd9887

 

[ccotenj 10+ year member]

i like my x001...

granted, it doesn't have near the adjustability features of some other units (and yes, it would be nice if a x002 came out that had them), but the sq *doesn't *****, and the convenience factor (especially if you travel a lot, like i do) of grabbing your ipod instead of 100 or so cd's can't be beat... for me personally, the convenience factor (when you add in the ipod interface paired with a 5th gen ipod) won out over being able to get the last bit of sq that a bunch of features would add...

 

[onefastsi 10+ year member]

i like my x001...
granted, it doesn't have near the adjustability features of some other units (and yes, it would be nice if a x002 came out that had them), but the sq *doesn't *****, and the convenience factor (especially if you travel a lot, like i do) of grabbing your ipod instead of 100 or so cd's can't be beat... for me personally, the convenience factor (when you add in the ipod interface paired with a 5th gen ipod) won out over being able to get the last bit of sq that a bunch of features would add...

Thanks for the info. What other units have you used? And how does the X001 compare? Just the 24 bit should outplay my Rockford! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif And save me 300 or so vs. the Clarion...I hate buying stuff!! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/verymad.gif.3f39c5c2fd57527b671fad3efdfac756.gif

 

[onefastsi 10+ year member]

Here's a question....

can you run the X001 into a PXA-H701 to pick up the last bit of real SQ processing?

 

[Pickler 10+ year member]

i would pick either Eclipse deck just from experience. Have never tried a clarion, but I thought eclipse beat alpine hands down.