Most Intuitive Head Unit for digital media?

[docsuess84]

I'm looking to replace my stock stereo in my 98 Subaru Outback which appears to be either a single or double DIN space. I'm not interested in tons of bells and whistles. I basically want to load my entire library of FLAC/ALAC files on a USB drive and play it in the car in the easiest way possible. Is there a unit that has a generic form of voice control not tied in to a specific phone brand? I'm trying to avoid having to use my iphone because of the space issues. Is there a unit out there that can do what I want?

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[wew lad 5,000+ posts]

It really depends on what you mean by intuitive. Bells and whistles are usually active crossovers, multiple/high voltage preouts, and Bluetooth plus cd etc. USB is common, flac functionality is not.

What's your budget? I'd highly recommend a touch screen double din if you're using a USB stick. Much easier to navigate songs and folders than a single din. If you can fit a double din.

 

[docsuess84]

Touchscreen sounds wonderful. I should clarify on intuitive. The last stereo I bought years ago was in the early days of iPod in the car. I want to say it was a Pioneer DEH-2100 or something like that with an iPod adapter in the glove box. I could control the files and folders from the head unit, but cycling through was painfully slow and I would end up having the person in the passenger seat unplug the iPod, cycle through the playlist or albums way faster, hit play and then plug it back in. Something easy to navigate with fast response or the ability to navigate the library hands free would be great. I don't care about crossovers, preouts, Bluetooth or anything else. As far as price, maybe 200, 250 tops.

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[BoogerMan]

I have the Kenwood DDX392. It is a little over your top price range (I think I paid $280 for it) but it does have scrolling like you are looking for. I'm sure most of the new double dins have a feature like this or even a flick to scroll type of feature. My old unit from back in 2006/2007 which is a panasonic double din (not even sure what model) was also painfully slow and did not have a scroll feature so I would have to unplug my iPod to quickly change songs like you did.

Here is a video of the scrolling with my Kenwood

 

[Papermaker85 5,000+ posts]

i ownder how the pioneer AVH-X5800BHS sounds. for 430 its cheap and looks pretty sweet..