unOfficial 2008 alpine iDA-X--- series HU thread

[kknack 10+ year member]

Does anyone else have an issue with popping when changing songs ? I'm getting this from a ipod "classic" via USB. Other than that, I'm quite happy with the setup. Although I just dumped a bunch of money for the RUX to be able to keep my H701, and now the imprint looks like it's happening real soon, so we'll have to see how that plays out. BTW, if you scan the later pages of the X100 manual, there are some pics of the H100 controls, looks really nice compared to H701 controls from anything other than an IVA.

 

[USCFAN 10+ year member]

Nope, I haven't had that problem. When does the popping happen?

Guys at crutchfield confirm the PXA-H100 release date.

Hello uscfan,
Let me start off by apologizing that it's taken us so long to respond to your question.

The information we received from Alpine indicates we should have this product in stock on the 31st of March. This could of course change, however the dates we receive from the manufacturer on an out of stock product are generally dead on. I hope this clears things up a bit. Once again--sorry for the delay in responding.

 

[kknack 10+ year member]

Almost everytime I switch songs at any reasonably high volume level (50%+). I'm not really that worried about it right now, there's too many factors at play. I slapped it in my new car real quick to replace the casette deck while I wait for some more gear for a real install, so it's just playing through the factory Bose system. More than likely something in that path.

 

[edy 10+ year member]

I'm not hearing a pop either.

 

[JrVtecAccord 10+ year member]

Has anyone tried the x100 with the bluetooth module yet? If yes, what is your impression?

Mike...

I'm using the KCE-300BT unit and so far I have had GREAT results. I am using a Motorola Q9c from sprint with it. I can access phone book, caller id works, pairs like I should when I start the car. Incoming calls are clear, outgoing sound is decent. I like the fact that it also pairs up my stereo bluetooth profile as well, with out having to do it manually. I used to have a pioneer 980bt, it will automatically pair the hands free profile, but not the stereo profile, you had to do it manually.

My observations:

• Changing tracks from an ipod classic are slower than my previous HU 980bt. I am not sure if it's the HU or classic or maybe a defective HU? It usually takes 1 1/2 seconds from when you press next track. With the 980bt you press next and it changes instantly.

• Navigation/searching is extremely fast, night and day compared to the 980bt. That was my biggest pita with the 980bt, I only used playlist with it because searching was really annoying.

• I have random reboots of the ipod, I am not sure if it's the ipod or the HU causing the reboots. I will switch a track, then the displays shows "NO USB DEVICE"

 

[goldenthumb51 10+ year member]

hey guys, with this unit, is the radio easy to use as the other classic alpine hu's? the presets specifically?

 

[edy 10+ year member]

Using presets is a little different. There are no dedicated button to switching between them. Instead, you have to hit the preset button, the list comes up, and you scroll to the one you want (shows you the station number). You select the station you want to listen to with the select button (in the middle).

I hardly listen to the radio, but the few times I have, it was different than usual, but not hard. Requires a little more attention since you have to see what's currently selected.

 

[rippinitup7 10+ year member]

Using presets is a little different. There are no dedicated button to switching between them. Instead, you have to hit the preset button, the list comes up, and you scroll to the one you want (shows you the station number). You select the station you want to listen to with the select button (in the middle).
I hardly listen to the radio, but the few times I have, it was different than usual, but not hard. Requires a little more attention since you have to see what's currently selected.

short version:

it's a pain in the *** to switch from preset to preset station.

 

[kaigoss69]

Anyone have any experiences with a USB hard drive? How do the songs show up on screen? Do you get ID3 tags or not?

Or has anyone hooked up another MP3 player that supposedly this HU can read, like the Creative Zen?

Thanks!

 

[smeltron]

Anyone have any experiences with a USB hard drive? How do the songs show up on screen? Do you get ID3 tags or not?
Or has anyone hooked up another MP3 player that supposedly this HU can read, like the Creative Zen?

Thanks!

Perfect timing for that question! I just installed the ida-x100 and am really enjoying it with my ipod classic. I also tried a thumb drive and it seemed to work fine and show id3 tag info (no album art though). My girlfriend also has a creative zen vision m and it is supposed to also work via the usb connection, but no matter what I try the alpine screen only shows "no usb device found" (not sure if that is what is says exactly, but something to that effect). It's frustrating because I was expecting this headunit to be the perfect match for my ipod and connection to my girlfriend's zen every now and again.

Any ideas or recommendations? I'm stuck.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif

Thanks in advance.

 

[kaigoss69]

Yeah, I would have been surprised if it actually worked with other MP3 players... especially since supposedly Apple helped Alpine develop the interface!

So it seems that I can hook up an external USB hard drive and have the Alpine pull the songs off the drive digitally, and then use the internal DAC to convert to analog. However, it seems the USB connection cannot read lossless, so I will be stuck with 320kbps MP3's. The other alternative would be to get an IPOO, put all the songs in AAC (lossless) and I am sure that would be the best scenario for SQ. But I really hate the idea of having to deal with an IPOO, iTunes, etc.

I would also consider getting the IMPRINT module, once available, to be able to fine tune the system and have 4V pre-outs to get a cleaner signal to the amps and lower the noise floor.

I am really torn now between the IDX-X100 plus IMPRINT module and the CDA-9887. However, while the CDA-9887 is wonderful in almost every way, it has two major setbacks that may deter me from buying it: 1. It does not have a digital connection with the IPOO, so the IPOO does the analog conversion instead of the far superior DAC inside the head unit and 2. You cannot hook up a USB drive without having to buy another module and even then, I think you cannot get ID3 tages so I have heard....

Decisions decisions......................

 

[goldenthumb51 10+ year member]

theres seems to be too many disadvantages with this unit. i hope alpine comes out with an improved version of this in the future.

 

[ngsm13 5,000+ posts]

I wont but a HU unless it has 4V or more,alpine has not made a good HU in about 3 years since dropping the 9833/9835

These look awsome and are reasonably priced but I am guessing they lack the features

for high performance sound quality

Truth.

nG

 

[Ford302Redneck 10+ year member]

Truth.
nG

This is among the truth for a lot of companies.

 

[kaigoss69]

Shortcomings, yes but with the additional IMPRINT module, it has just about everything you could want, including 4V pre-outs. Not sure about the build quality and SQ, though compared to earlier Alpine models. I'm still not sure I want it, I'll have to keep an eye on this thread a bit more before I make up my mind.