Replacing Head Unit/CD changer Advice?

[kunasan]

I've just had my face unit stolen.

Wheels are Ford F150 Supercrew(4 door). Instead of replacing the face unit, I'm replacing the head unit and adding a CD changer.

I want a basic CD/radio head unit that has excellent audio that can select cd's from the head unit. No satelite radio/remote required. Think the truck speakers are stock. Have no other accessories. Budget is $500.

Saw Alpine CDA 9847 head unit for $200 and Alpine CHA S634 cd changer for $180. Installation is $50 and parts (harness etc) is $50 at Best Buy. http://www.alpine-usa.com/

I've never fixed car audio!!!

I've surfed ebay, Crutchfield etc, but prices are BB seem competitive.

What do you Audio Scientists think? I really need help here............... I welcome all advice...............

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[adam71 5,000+ posts]

Found this duo on Crutchfield.

Head Unit. This one has S/N ratio of 100db !!

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-2lmhGvbzQbi/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=300&I=020DXZ655

Changer.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-2lmhGvbzQbi/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?s=0&cc=01&i=020DCZ625&o=&a=

These together will run you under your 500 dollar budget. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[kunasan]

from all the posts in this site, i gather that the best head units units for less than 200 bucks are pioneer or alpine?

what are the models in this range would you guys advice?

 

[kunasan]

adam,

thanks for the input. still prefer alpine though.

 

[adam71 5,000+ posts]

To each his own man. But Clarion has less reliability issues then both Alpine and Pioneer. I'm a Pioneer guy and I can tell you that. But don't get me wrong I'm not trying to steer you away from those brands though, just letting you know that 2005 wasn't the best year for those two mfgs head units.

 

[AVSTANG02]

Clarion, alpine, pioneer, eclipse all very good brands.

Clarion was the brand to have wayy before alpine was.

**** clarion was doing indash flipout lcd before nav, dvd, ps2, rear view cameras... the flipout screen couldnt do much but **** they paved the way....

 

[Chainsaw45 10+ year member]

I have the Alpine 9847 and I like it. Upgradable to include the ipod adapter or Sat. Radio if you choose to. You also change the color of the buttons: blue, green, amber, or red //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wowflash.gif.89a61f4caede63a11dac36e97d61323e.gif

 

[kunasan]

Chainsaw 45,

Bought the 9847 over the weekend at Bestbuy for $180 (it was a return) plus free installation plus $40 for harness parts. Did not buy the cd changer as I realized I don't need it. Prefer to spend money to improve the sound quality.

I have 4 stock speakers in my 4-door truck. Want to upgrade the speakers without an external amp. Any suggestions? What do you have? Other readers have comments?

As I shop around, I realize Bestbuy, Circuitcity and Goodguys have lots of new returns which are marked down to be as competitive to ebay prices.

thanks

 

[Chainsaw45 10+ year member]

I have Rockford 6.5 Powers in the front and Alpine Type S 6x9's in the back. Even with the mixing of the brands it sounds great to me and gets pretty loud. I have a kenwood 4 channel 720 watt max amp powering my speakers. I'm getting the new Type R 12'' woofer next paycheck //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif . Deffinantely look into the Rockford Power Speakers. The Type S's are supposed to be the step below the Type R's but I love my S's and they sound great to me. I chose my 9847 based on the IPOD capabilities you'll have to look at the internal amp specs to see how much power your speakers will be getting. I'm sure some people on here can give you recommendations on some good speakers if you list a budget. They know alot more than me.

PS: $40 for harness parts //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/thumbsdown.gif.d22f25895e9b40f2300c953691dacfa2.gif My dash kit was 29 and came with harness parts they scammed you on that one.