New HU choices?

[Istari1 10+ year member]

Ok so first my very simple system:

Alpine 7995

CDT HD 6.5 components

JL 300/2

* at some point I may get a 10" kappa perfect

And out of those only 2 are working atm. The Alpine was having serious issues with the face for the last 6 months (face flickering, turning off/on, colors going wacky) and now I think it has totally crapped the bed and my music sounds like garbled static (mixed with music). The face has been annoying me for some time, so I figure this isnt a totally bad thing. Anyway I'm looking for something less then $400, with good SQ. No internal amp needed. I also have no problem buying off ebay, especially last years models NIB.

Right now I am leaning heavily towards the Eclipse CD-8445, I'v found them for $200 (or less) on ebay. AM I going to find anything better then that for the price? I've read there is no sub turn off (yuk) and no MP3 pause (yuk) but I think I can live w/o these. Any other ebay suggestions? Its been a while since I was in the market for a new HU, but the new Alpine's just dont do anything for me - and it seems no one makes HU w/o internal amps anymore. . . Also looked at the CD5000 but I dont know if I can get it in my price range, or if its SQ is good enough. Thanks.

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[azngotskills 10+ year member]

check your PM //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[dkguitarist 5,000+ posts]

the new 880prs is able to turn off the internal amp iirc. it's just over $300. really sweet deck.

great esp if you're going active.

 

[NJAV1 10+ year member]

Ever consider a Nak deck...4 or 500...

 

[Istari1 10+ year member]

Ok, so after reading alot of these forums and looking at prices on ebay I have come down to:

Eclipse 8445

*Good SQ, Some good tuning options

*BAD - cant adjust/turn off the sub (even though I have no sub atm)

~$200 ebay

Pioneer DEH-P780MP or DEH-P880PRS

- are these as good SQ wise as the Eclipse?

- more expensive, worth the extra $120 over the 8445

- 780 has what looks like a beautiful screen, am I wrong?

~$315 ebay

Comments? Suggestions between the 3, anyone actually tested all 3 or even 2 side by side? I'm staying away from new Alpines, and Nak decks are a little out of my range. Also I think the 8445 has enough tuning options I'm not quite audiophile grade.