What kind of H/U do you suggest?

[c_hayhurst 10+ year member]

Hi, everybody!

"Hi, Doctor Nick!"

I need a new Kenwood H/U with an integrated CD controller. The CD changer I currently have is a Kenwood KDC-C719 and it connects to the head unit with a cable; it's not FM modulated. That can controls my Kenwood 10-disc CD changer.

The H/U also needs to have an auxillary input-on the front, preferably-so I can plug in my non-i-Pod mp-3 player.

I would prefer a tape-playing H/U. I am willing to go with a CD head unit, but it cannot have that stupid feature where it displays video clips while it is idling.

Any suggestions?

I contacted Kenwood directly with this request and they passed the buck to a dealer the next state over to give me the info.

Screw that.

I also went to TWO Best Buy stores and they said they do not offer anything like this.

Can someone PLEASE help me identify what the HELL model Kenwood offers to meet these needs?

Barring that, I may just sell the CD changer on e-bay. If I do that, I'll get a H/U from another manufacturer due to the stupid customer service and lack of incompatibility of Kenwood's OWN PRODUCTS.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

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[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

I need a new Kenwood H/U with an integrated CD controller. The CD changer I currently have is a Kenwood KDC-C719 and it connects to the head unit with a cable; it's not FM modulated. That can controls my Kenwood 10-disc CD changer.

ALL current Kenwood head units will control that changer via the cable you already have. One end plugs into the side of the changer and the other end into the back of the deck. Easy

The H/U also needs to have an auxillary input-on the front, preferably-so I can plug in my non-i-Pod mp-3 player.

Kenwood doesn't make a deck with a front aux input. There are several models that have optional aux inputs (by buying a separate adapter) and some that have built-in aux inputs....but each type is located in the rear of the HU

I would prefer a tape-playing H/U. I am willing to go with a CD head unit, but it cannot have that stupid feature where it displays video clips while it is idling.

Still rockin' the old school cassettes, eh? Good for you! I use the last Kenwood cassette receiver I purchased on my test bench (KRC-608) 'cause it keeps on working so I cannot justify getting rid of it. The receivers that have involved graphics on the displays are not made to where that is ALL that they will display. The graphics are defeatable if their presence is undesirable.

Any suggestions?
I contacted Kenwood directly with this request and they passed the buck to a dealer the next state over to give me the info.

I find this strange. Each and everytime I have emailed Kenwood directly with a question they've always replied pretty quickly with an actual answer to my problem. Sorry to hear you had a less-than-stellar experience //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

Screw that.
I also went to TWO Best Buy stores and they said they do not offer anything like this.

Can someone PLEASE help me identify what the HELL model Kenwood offers to meet these needs?

Weeellll......a head unit with the features you've listed as imperative doesn't exist. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Barring that, I may just sell the CD changer on e-bay. If I do that, I'll get a H/U from another manufacturer due to the stupid customer service and lack of incompatibility of Kenwood's OWN PRODUCTS.
Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

As I am a die-hard, loyal Kenwood fan I hate to see someone jumping ship just when Kenwood is starting to make truly outstanding decks again after a bit of floundering but if they do not make one that meets your needs then I reckon I understand.

Wanna buy my KRC-608?? lol

 

[stones 10+ year member]

Go to Wal-Mart and get their top o the line Jensen unit.

Nobody uses CD changers anymore because of the MP3/WMA thing, you can fit several CD's on one disk.

 

[c_hayhurst 10+ year member]

ALL current Kenwood head units will control that changer via the cable you already have. One end plugs into the side of the changer and the other end into the back of the deck.

Man, I am reluctant to buy a head unit on that assumption- especially when some sales rep is telling me that feature doesn't exist.

Kenwood doesn't make a deck with a front aux input. There are several models that have optional aux inputs (by buying a separate adapter) and some that have built-in aux inputs....but each type is located in the rear of the HU

I'm willing to live with that. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Still rockin' the old school cassettes, eh? Good for you! I use the last Kenwood cassette receiver I purchased on my test bench (KRC-608) 'cause it keeps on working so I cannot justify getting rid of it. The receivers that have involved graphics on the displays are not made to where that is ALL that they will display. The graphics are defeatable if their presence is undesirable.

Hell, yeah, on the tapes! GangStarr's "Step In the Arena" kicks as much bass, albeit different bass, as any Swishahouse cut.

Weeellll......a head unit with the features you've listed as imperative doesn't exist. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

To verify: I need a Kenwood H/U with the ability to control a Kenwood CD changer via a control cable- not an FM modulator. The head unit also needs to have an auxillary input- front or rear doesn't matter, but front would be super.

As I am a die-hard, loyal Kenwood fan I hate to see someone jumping ship just when Kenwood is starting to make truly outstanding decks again after a bit of floundering but if they do not make one that meets your needs then I reckon I understand.

I have been bumping Kenwoods since 1996 and they have proven themselves as reliable, feature-laden and inexpensive. If things have gotten to the point where Kenwood is unable or unwilling to provide the features I need in a head unit, then I am open to other H/U manufacturers. I absolutely REFUSE to submit to the crappy quality of FM modulators. Therefore, if I must get a CD player H/U, then I am free from the need to have a Kenwood H/U and am open to suggestions as to which manufacturer I should get.

Wanna buy my KRC-608?? lol

Nah, but thanks for asking!!1!!!

 

[DiamondFanatic 10+ year member]

The kenwood KDCX589 is a CD reciever that will run your changer and leave you with an aux input on the back for whatever else you want to plug in. No crazy displays either. Kenwood does make a current tape reciever that will allow you to plug in the changer, or use an auxilliary input, but unless your changer has a pass through I don't think you can do both at once.

 

[DiamondFanatic 10+ year member]

Go to Wal-Mart and get their top o the line Jensen unit.
Nobody uses CD changers anymore because of the MP3/WMA thing, you can fit several CD's on one disk.

Why would anyone purchase a Jensen headunit?

Secondly, plenty of people still use CD changers, otherwise why would companies still make them? Also, since he has specifically requested a unit that uses his current changer it only makes sense to answer his request with an appropriate comment.

 

[Ctminime 10+ year member]

true happiness is a cd changer with mp3 compatability... swwwweeeeet

 

[Ctminime 10+ year member]

u know what now that i think about it buy an ipod and go alpine..... then all ure problems are solved

 

[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

Man, I am reluctant to buy a head unit on that assumption- especially when some sales rep is telling me that feature doesn't exist.

I promise you - it isn't an assumption. The first cassette/changer combo I ever had was a KRC-302 coupled with a KDC-C604. Your changer is newer than that and they all use the same 13-pin (I think that's how many?) DIN cable to connect. Here is the text from the manual to my XXV-01D:KENWOOD disc changers/CD players released in 1998 or later can be connected to this unit. Refer to the catalog or consult your Kenwood dealer for connectable models of disc changers/CD players.

Note that any KENWOOD disc changers/CD players released in 1997 or earlier and disc changers made by other makers cannot be connected to this unit. Connecting unsupported disc changers/CD players to this unit may result in damage.

Set the "O-N" switch to the "N" position for the applicable KENWOOD disc changers/CD players. The functions you can use and the information that canbe displayed may differ depending on the model(s) being connected.

This passage has been in the manual for my now-retired KDC-X679, the KDC-X569 I had before that, the aforementioned KRC-608 i used before that, and the KRC-502 I had before that. I promise - ALL current Kenwood head units will control your C719 changer.

To verify: I need a Kenwood H/U with the ability to control a Kenwood CD changer via a control cable- not an FM modulator. The head unit also needs to have an auxillary input- front or rear doesn't matter, but front would be super.

Well - you can buy a new Kenwood KRC-335 and then get the KCA-S210A adapter which will allow you to run both a CD changer AND an aux input. Looking for something like that, maybe?

I have been bumping Kenwoods since 1996 and they have proven themselves as reliable, feature-laden and inexpensive. If things have gotten to the point where Kenwood is unable or unwilling to provide the features I need in a head unit, then I am open to other H/U manufacturers. I absolutely REFUSE to submit to the crappy quality of FM modulators. Therefore, if I must get a CD player H/U, then I am free from the need to have a Kenwood H/U and am open to suggestions as to which manufacturer I should get.

I completely understand. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

Nah, but thanks for asking!!1!!!

had to try, right? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/thumbsup.gif.3287b36ca96645a13a43aff531f37f02.gif

 

[c_hayhurst 10+ year member]

OMFG, this is turning out to be such a pain in the neck!

I called Cardinal Sales- the out-of-state sales rep that Kenwood told me to call. The person who answered the phone had absolutely no idea what she was doing when I asked for for product recommendations.

At least she was able to name some LOCAL authorized dealers I could go see. I went to the closest dealer and the sales manager said that I had to buy a $180 head unit (I think the model number was listed as Kenwood 4028?), plus pay $20-$30 for a specialized adaptor to allow my Mp3 player to connect to the head unit, plus $40 for installation labor, plus whatever parts would cost.

Sooooo...

I emailed Kenwood AGAIN, restating, very clearly, what I need in one of their head units and requesting specific product recommendations.

I'll probably call them later today, too, just to make sure somone gets back to me.

Heh.

 

[SuperJETT 10+ year member]

Dude, you're probably getting the best info/recommendation you could possibly get right here on this thread, by people that have Kenwoods. It doesn't seem like you're listening, so why ask? If you keep e-mailing/calling incompetent people and get frustrated with them, then you need to find the info on your own probably.

BTW, never owned a Kenwood head unit but I can do research on their site and figure out what I need, then ask for verification here.

OMFG, this is turning out to be such a pain in the neck!
I called Cardinal Sales- the out-of-state sales rep that Kenwood told me to call. The person who answered the phone had absolutely no idea what she was doing when I asked for for product recommendations.

At least she was able to name some LOCAL authorized dealers I could go see. I went to the closest dealer and the sales manager said that I had to buy a $180 head unit (I think the model number was listed as Kenwood 4028?), plus pay $20-$30 for a specialized adaptor to allow my Mp3 player to connect to the head unit, plus $40 for installation labor, plus whatever parts would cost.

Sooooo...

I emailed Kenwood AGAIN, restating, very clearly, what I need in one of their head units and requesting specific product recommendations.

I'll probably call them later today, too, just to make sure somone gets back to me.

Heh.

 

[adam71 5,000+ posts]

Nobody uses CD changers anymore because of the MP3/WMA thing, you can fit several CD's on one disk.

Speak for yourself. I have a Pioneer Cd changer mounted in my rear deck. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/eyebrow.gif.fe2c18d8720fe8c7eaed347b21ea05a5.gif In fact, there is a pic of it in the gallery.

http://gallery.caraudio.com/vg/showimage.php?i=3474&catid=member&imageuser=8492

 

[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

Dude, you're probably getting the best info/recommendation you could possibly get right here on this thread, by people that have Kenwoods. It doesn't seem like you're listening, so why ask? If you keep e-mailing/calling incompetent people and get frustrated with them, then you need to find the info on your own probably.

I was beginning to feel a bit that way myself, SuperJETT. Let me think back...the first Kenwood HU Iever bought was back in...'90 or 91 it would have been. It was a model KRC-something or other dual-shaft cassette receiver. (remember when a single DIN-chassis deck was an amazing pain in the ass to install having to hack up your dash to make a rectangular-shaped hole?!)
Since that very first Kenwood I have never bought another brand of HU for myself. I know for an absolute inarguable fact that each and every single HU Kenwood currently makes with built-in changer controls (some of the bottom-end models don't) and retroactively every deck from the past 5 years now with changer controls (at least!) will run his changer. Without a doubt. Matter of fact - if he buys a 2000-model or newer Kenwood deck that has changer controls, whether it be a cassette or a CD player and it doesn't work his KDC-C719? I'll give him my KDC-X679 that I just retired. Free shipping and all. I'm that certain of it.

Now to be able to run his outboard .mp3 player he'll still need some sort of adapter and the easiest of those would be the one I linked to above. Otherwise he still won't be able to run the .mp3 player with the changer - only one or the other.

 

[c_hayhurst 10+ year member]

Gotcha.

Okay, I think I'm gonna go with the Kenwood KRC-335. Thanks!