Which mp3 head unit to buy?

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cpals

Diamond Member
Mar 5, 2001
4,494
0
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*reusing old thread on same topic*

So, which one is the best for my use? Right now it will just be powering my factory speakers and nothing else... the next thing I would do in the future would be upgrade the factory speakers and sub/amp would be last (maybe never).

The choices (closely priced):

1. Alpine CDA - 9847
2. Pioneer DEH - 7600MP
3. Eclipse 3414 (don't know anyone who carries this??)

Probably going to purchase tomorrow... would like to keep it around $200.

EDIT: My bad, it's the pioneer 7600, not 6700.
 
ScoobMaster

ScoobMaster

Platinum Member
Jan 17, 2001
2,528
10
81
I bought a JVC unit for my wife's minivan for Christmas from here:
Cardomain.com

Great to deal with, good prices, and they throw in the wiring harness and mounting kit for FREE.
 
radioouman

radioouman

Diamond Member
Nov 4, 2002
8,632
0
0
Repost!
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=1493882&enterthread=y
Well, your second question anyway...

Does your car have a factory alarm, or did the radio that you wanted to buy from Best Buy have an alarm? You certainly don't need to have the radio's alarm hooked up, unless you choose to. I don't know about a factory alarm.

I still deal with Crutchfield because of their unbeatable return policy. Crutchfield throws in the wiring harness, mounting kit, and instructions for free.
 
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cpals

Diamond Member
Mar 5, 2001
4,494
0
76
Originally posted by: radioouman
Repost!
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=1493882&enterthread=y
Well, your second question anyway...

Does your car have a factory alarm, or did the radio that you wanted to buy from Best Buy have an alarm? You certainly don't need to have the radio's alarm hooked up, unless you choose to. I don't know about a factory alarm.

I still deal with Crutchfield because of their unbeatable return policy. Crutchfield throws in the wiring harness, mounting kit, and instructions for free.
Click to expand...

Okay, finally some answers... thanks guys!! :)

Three things:

1. Does the mounting kit that Crutchfield/cardomain provide work for my car? It is a double din.. .would they provide the double din kit that leaves a storage area under the cd player?

2. The two posts were different questions, but it is not an alarm, but some warning system. So far the only time I've heard it ding is when the keys are left in the car.

3. I was looking at the pioneer deh-p7600mp for $219 at cardomain. Looks pretty sweet for that price and crutchfield is selling it for I think $270. How does it compare to the eclipse mentioned. Also, mp3 playing is a must.
 
A

alien42

Lifer
Nov 28, 2004
12,869
3,299
136
Originally posted by: NutBucket
Eclipse CD-3414. $200 for an audiophile quality HU.
Click to expand...

I have an Eclipse (not sure if its the 3424, 3414, or 3404) but i love it and it was only around $150 for the previous years model
 
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Viper GTS

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
38,107
433
136
Originally posted by: cpals
It is a double din.. .would they provide the double din kit that leaves a storage area under the cd player?
Click to expand...

On a similar note, where can I buy such a thing? I have my deck installed in the upper slot in my Subaru, currently the lower slot is filled by the (now useless) factory tape deck. I'd love to pull it out & gain some useful storage space.

Viper GTS
 
NutBucket

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,155
635
126
Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Originally posted by: cpals
It is a double din.. .would they provide the double din kit that leaves a storage area under the cd player?
Click to expand...

On a similar note, where can I buy such a thing? I have my deck installed in the upper slot in my Subaru, currently the lower slot is filled by the (now useless) factory tape deck. I'd love to pull it out & gain some useful storage space.

Viper GTS
Click to expand...

BB and other retailers should sell a pocket kit that will work for you. Its under $20.
 
I

IceBlue

Member
Aug 23, 2000
108
0
0
search ebay for Item number: 5744776940. this is a good price on this module. double check that it works for you car, though. the main thing this provides in addition to the chimes is the RAP.

RAP is "Retained accessory power" which is the feature that makes your radio play until you open the door or about 10 minutes pass. there might not be a "switched accessory +12V" line behind the dash, and the RAP takes care of that. If you do not use this, you will have to physically turn the radio off and on each time you get into the car.

Look around the net for Cavalier forums with posts addressing stereo upgrades. You should do more research before electing not to use an OEM interface.

Disclaimer: The above info is based on my experience with a 2002 GMC Envoy, which uses a similar radio/Class-2 databus system. Again, please look for more info on the web.
 
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cpals

Diamond Member
Mar 5, 2001
4,494
0
76
Originally posted by: IceBlue
search ebay for Item number: 5744776940. this is a good price on this module. double check that it works for you car, though. the main thing this provides in addition to the chimes is the RAP.

RAP is "Retained accessory power" which is the feature that makes your radio play until you open the door or about 10 minutes pass. there might not be a "switched accessory +12V" line behind the dash, and the RAP takes care of that. If you do not use this, you will have to physically turn the radio off and on each time you get into the car.

Look around the net for Cavalier forums with posts addressing stereo upgrades. You should do more research before electing not to use an OEM interface.

Disclaimer: The above info is based on my experience with a 2002 GMC Envoy, which uses a similar radio/Class-2 databus system. Again, please look for more info on the web.
Click to expand...

Thanks, that is what I was wondering about and it looks like I should really buy the additional kit. Is that the only kind out there? Can I pick this up locally?
 
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IceBlue

Member
Aug 23, 2000
108
0
0
The following companies make interface adapters, look at the Application Guides and pros/cons of each unit to be sure it works with your make/model/year/trim car.

PAC

Peripheral Electronics

P.I.E.

Blitzsafe

I bought an adapter from CarDomain.com... fair price and quick shipping, but it will take longer if you're on the East Coast since they are in the Northwest.

Ebay might be your best bet for price, but returns could be a hassle if the part does not work in your car.

You can also order the MasterSheets for your car from Crutchfield for $4.99 and they will even email them in a PDF so you get both electronic and a hardcopy. I called them and they hooked me up. The MasterSheets were very handy as my dash was hard to disassemble.
 
nakedfrog

nakedfrog

No Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
63,061
19,373
136
On another note, does anyone know of a unit from a reputable name that will also accept DVDRs full of mp3s? I see some on eBay, but rarely from a name I know and trust.
 
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b0mbrman

Lifer
Jun 1, 2001
29,470
1
81
Meh...decide what features you want. Then pick a deck of the following brands fits the price range: Alpine, Clarion, Eclipse, Kenwood, Panasonic, Pioneer

You have to know what you want before you can narrow it down...there's lots of decks out there that'll do the bare minimum
 
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cpals

Diamond Member
Mar 5, 2001
4,494
0
76
Originally posted by: b0mbrman
Meh...decide what features you want. Then pick a deck of the following brands fits the price range: Alpine, Clarion, Eclipse, Kenwood, Panasonic, Pioneer

You have to know what you want before you can narrow it down...there's lots of decks out there that'll do the bare minimum
Click to expand...

I did that already... they were posted in my main post. I have a different deck from alpine, pioneer, and eclipse
 
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