Man, Am I torn!!! Input appreciated!

[onefastsi 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.

I have used eclipse in the past...can't remember which one, but it was a nice unit. I've had Denon, and Nakamichi as well.

My first ever CD player was a Clarion...when CD's first came out for cars. It cost somewhere over $300 bucks, which would translate to about $90 today! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[Babs 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?

Would be an awesome combo IF the X001 had an optical out to send digital to the 701 but it doesn't.

You could probably send analog to the 701 but it defeats the purpose of those nice dac's in both.

D to A to D to A = signal degradation

...Though that very thing is what I'm considering with an OEM unit like the PXE-H650 or MS-8 or 3sixty.2. But to me, an X001 type of non-cd power-ipod controller with the H701 would be killer.. NO moving parts to die on you.

 

[onefastsi 10+ year member]

Would be an awesome combo IF the X001 had an optical out to send digital to the 701 but it doesn't.You could probably send analog to the 701 but it defeats the purpose of those nice dac's in both.

D to A to D to A = signal degradation

...Though that very thing is what I'm considering with an OEM unit like the PXE-H650 or MS-8 or 3sixty.2. But to me, an X001 type of non-cd power-ipod controller with the H701 would be killer.. NO moving parts to die on you.

I've pretty much narrowed it to the X001 and the 9255. I don't know if the extra SQ would really matter going with the 9255 or even the 701 vs. what I have now. It's the voltage that I'll miss. I'm running 9 volts now...very powerful vs. anything I've ever used. But...how much SQ I'll pick up is the issue that I'm after.

Thanks. Just making sure I can live without a CD player...or without the xtra nidge of SQ //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[Babs 10+ year member]

The thing you would gain in the 9255 is the time alignment and that last step-up in dac processing.. The dac's alone and the external power supply would probably be audible.. However, if you've not had time alignment (properly tuned), it will sell you... Helps to eliminate the phasing issues with the typically less-than optimal speaker placements in cars. I'm planning on just a two-way upfront, and I still want time alignment between the tweets and mids as well as the sub.. It's a significant thing to have. Plus the crossover is superb.. Up there with the p9 pioneer.

If the X001 had that.. I'd be all over it.

As far as output signal voltage or quality goes, I'd place bets anyday on the 9255 as well.. The preamp as well as the dac's is top-notch, high-end. The external DC/DC power supply uses some big toroidial chokes to supply the unit.. It's a beast.. but yeah, it's pretty much CD only unless you can hook an ipod through the CeNet running analog.. But I wouldn't sweat that.. There are some super high-end iPod dac/opamps out there to provide audiophile quality output from ipods as well.. (running lossless I'm sure would be best). Installation would be a little more indepth though as you install the power supply somewhat like an external amp with a fat line from battery and ground, I believe.

Build quality also.... twice the weight of the x001, granted there's also a supreme cd player in that weight. Copper chassis, etc.

Except for maybe the P9 or the F1 alpine.. nothing touches the 9255. Not even the 700ii Nak.. Though the player/preamp section of the nak is very close.. but no processing.. and more $$

 

[onefastsi 10+ year member]

Thanks for that info. kinda what I've been looking for. details! Are you talking the REDWINE upgrade for the ipod? And the Pod's plug into the 9255 don't they? I thought there was a port/plug for it on the front?

Thanks for the info.

 

[Babs 10+ year member]

yeah that's one ipod mod I've seen.. There's another dac/preamp thing here:

http://www.hippohifi.com/index.html

... That one appears to require post volume control though, so it would be a decent choice for running through analog auxilary L/R that receives post volume control. Advantage: It works with a stock iPod.. Disadvantage: It's an extra box, if that matters.

But we digress.

If you end up with a 9255.. I wanna see pics! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

I still wouldn't rule out the 7100 though.. It appears to be a great unit, if the 9255 blows the budget. If you're iPod heavy though.. You may still wish to sacrifice time alignment and crossovers for just slick easy use of your ipod though with the x001.. I personally can live with the use of CD's with a head unit that sounds spectacular though.

 

[onefastsi 10+ year member]

The budget it fine...just making sure I get the most bang for the buck, and get what's ideal for me. I do like the iPod function of the X001 ALOT! am I hooked on the Pod? no. I have millions of discs. would it be nice to not have to carry CD's? hell yes! but...it the hundreds more for the 9255 and what comes with that money that matters....

 

[Babs 10+ year member]

The budget it fine...just making sure I get the most bang for the buck, and get what's ideal for me. I do like the iPod function of the X001 ALOT! am I hooked on the Pod? no. I have millions of discs. would it be nice to not have to carry CD's? hell yes! but...it the hundreds more for the 9255 and what comes with that money that matters....

Indeed.. bang for the buck.

My personal choice. I'll bet you can do pretty much all the same with the CDA-9887 when it gets here, plus a cd if you wish, and a far cry better SQ than the IDA due to the processing control. For $399 with burr-browns, DTA, X-overs, Imprint / Audassey auto-calibration (with the alpine tool), iPod control, bluetooth capable, etc.. Hard to beat. It will let me go completely active with front stage and a sub without passive crossovers.. Add five amp channels and drivers and I'm done.. Oh, well, plus an iPod.. I don't currently have one. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[NYR36 10+ year member]

I read the title and thought you got *** *****. Ive also failed to read anything in this thread besides the title

LOL

 

[onefastsi 10+ year member]

Indeed.. bang for the buck.
My personal choice. I'll bet you can do pretty much all the same with the CDA-9887 when it gets here, plus a cd if you wish, and a far cry better SQ than the IDA due to the processing control. For $399 with burr-browns, DTA, X-overs, Imprint / Audassey auto-calibration (with the alpine tool), iPod control, bluetooth capable, etc.. Hard to beat. It will let me go completely active with front stage and a sub without passive crossovers.. Add five amp channels and drivers and I'm done.. Oh, well, plus an iPod.. I don't currently have one. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Whoa! slow down...what unit are you talking $399?? the X001?

 

[Babs 10+ year member]

$399 is the CDA-9887 (the one that's not out yet)

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-aKgT1IpkaJk/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?search=cda%2D9887&i=500CDA9887

... expected soon but no real date.. The other similar Imprint processor the PXE-H650 should be here any time, so I imagine the 9887 hopefully won't be far behind.. They've already got 'em in Australia.

To clarify: Alpine is releasing two "IMPRINT" products that use Audessey processing that Denon's been using in their home AVR's for a while now.. and apparantly it's pretty darn good for auto eq and delay calibration. The H650 is an oem integration processor similar but in some respects better than the H701. The 9887 is this technology in a standalone head unit. Also, the head unit will have another "part" for calibration that includes mike and hookup and a CD-R.. The H650 processor apparently includes it.

Crutchfield's description starts with "Alpine's best-sounding CD receiver..." which I guess is so considering the F1 is technically a DVD receiver. So this unit is apparently Alpine's new "flagship" cd player, if that's the right term to use.

General features:

» CD receiver with built-in amplifier (18 watts RMS/50 peak x 4 channels)

» plays CDs, CD-Rs, and CD-RW discs, including discs loaded with MP3, WMA, and AAC music files (except Digital Rights-protected files)

» fold-down, detachable face with a 2-line BioLite text display

» remote control

Audio features:

» 24-bit Burr-Brown digital-to-analog converter

» digital signal processor includes a 7-band equalizer (switchable to 5-band parametric mode), 6-channel digital time alignment, and high- and low-pass filters

» Alpine's Imprint MultiEQ sound tuning technology (requires an external tuning module)

Expandability:

» compatible with: Alpine Bluetooth® adapter, satellite radio, HD Radio™ tuner, CD changer

» inputs: optional iPod control, optional aux input

» outputs: three sets of 4-volt preamp outputs (subwoofer output has bass level control)

It's featured in Alpine's big RLS show-car as well.. Supposed to be an absolute beast.

.. Also, what it doesn't tell you is that the crossover is either a 2 way or a 3 way (low pass, band pass, high pass) so if you want you can go active with components upfront in a 3-way system.. like I'm going to do.

 

[Babs 10+ year member]

Sorry for all the detail..

Actually both the IDA-X001 and the CDA-9887 are $399

Not sure about one thing though..

If the 9887 reads iPod (digital) then converts it, or analog?

Pretty sure that's the strength of the X001.

Everything else is pretty much in favor of the 9887, except no moving parts in X001.

 

[onefastsi 10+ year member]

You know...you just need to stop! I'm no further along that I was 2 days ago! Except I've narrowed it to "3" units now! Thanks! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wow.gif.23d729408e9177caa2a0ed6a2ba6588e.gif

 

[Babs 10+ year member]

hehehehe sorry

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/cool.gif.3bcaf8f141236c00f8044d07150e34f7.gif

 

[onefastsi 10+ year member]

yeah sure you are! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif