YACT: Need stereo recommendations.

[Jeff7]

I've been sifting through Amazon, Best Buy, and Crutchfield looking for a decent stereo, but there are lots of reviews to look through, so I'll consult this database instead.

I see stupid things such as players which are so bright that they interfere with night vision, stereos that beep loudly when the faceplate is not removed after shutting off the car, or systems that don't allow for easy navigation of large music libraries. In the case of the latter, this would mean moving one song at a time, even in a library of hundreds of files, with no way to skip ahead by multiple files, or better yet, by folder.

I am looking for:

- USB thumbdrive or Secure Digital card input
- Easy, eyes-free navigation through hundreds of files, with the ability to skip many files at a time searching for the right one
- No stupid features such as those extremely bright lights or annoying beeps
- I don't care if it takes up to about 15 seconds for it to start playing. The player it's replacing (something by KOSS) takes about that long to start playing MP3-filled-CDs anyway.
- Price <$200

I may add others as I go through more reviews.

Car: '97 Hyundai Elantra GLS sedan, with an aftermarket stereo

Thank you all in advance.

For those who may remember my Best Buy thread, well, after all that, I am going to attempt installation myself.:Q


Bonus question: Since I have an aftermarket stereo installed already, are the extras included "free" at Crutchfield even worth it, or necessary?



Presently, the Kenwood Excelon KDC-X491 is a front-runner. $180 at Crutchfield, but $125 at Amazon. However, a review of a similar product, the KDC-MP535U, says, "File browsing through a USB drive or CD with MP3s is extremely counter-intuitive with this controller. And you certainly cannot do it and still watch the road."

 

[xanis]

I'm in the market for something similar, so I'm going to piggyback on this thread.

 

[thedarkwolf]

I have two kenwood MP632U headunits and they are easy to use, cheap, and have a usb connector. The really nice thing about them is there really is no size limit to what the USB input can handle so I can plug my 60gig external drive into it. Most of them at least when I was looking were limited to 5 gigs or less. The only problem is the headunit doesn't supply a lot of power to the USB connector and if your drive draws more then it can handle you have to rig it a bit. I had to buy a PSP car adapter dohicky that comes with a cig lighter to USB adapter and I use that to give my drive the extra boost it needs to spin up. Not sure they make the mp632u anymore but any of the MP###U head units will work and they start at around $100. Just depends on what features you want.

 

[Jeff7]

Thank you, Mr Wolf.
I'd be using, at most, a 4GB thumbdrive. Unless of course, I happen upon a cheap-enough player that can interpret FLAC files.

Anyone else?

 

[FoBoT]

http://forums.anandtech.com/ca...tid=67&flcache=2021230

 

[LS20]

kenwood and jvc usually are "technology-forward"

otherwise, youre asking too much for <200$

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
http://forums.anandtech.com/ca...tid=67&flcache=2021230

That said something about "Home" theater, so I wasn't sure that this'd fit in there.
And the description of the forum says, "A/V equpiment for the living room and beyond." Yes it says "and beyond," but it seems more centered on home stuff.


Any comments on my bonus question?
"Since I have an aftermarket stereo installed already, are the extras included "free" at Crutchfield even worth it, or necessary? "