Head Unit advice

[Psimpson7]

Hi All,

I am after a new head unit. I currently have an Alpine CDA-9815RB which has finally succumbed to dust.

I am after a replacement and wanted to know if anyone had any recomendations.

Ideally it needs:

CD Player (although I could probably do without this if I had too)
Ability to read computer generated WMA/MP3 files (currently have this and it means I can burn 180 odd tracks to a CD)
Connection for Ipod.
Radio.

Anyone have any suggestions.

I like Alpine and Pioneer stuff, but am willing to buy other brands.

Budget would probably be around the 500$ mark as a maximum as they dont get an easy life.

these look ok, although no cd player

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ALPINE-iDA-X200-MP3-WMA-USB-IPOD-DIGITAL-MEDIA-RECEIVER_W0QQitemZ140398797289QQcmdZViewItemQQptZA U_Car_Parts_Accessories?hash=item20b06ba1e9

Rgds
Peter

[B92 8NW]

I've got this one in my D1

Alpine Electronics of Australia (http://www.alpine.com.au/showItem.php?item_id=43)

Does iPod control, BlackBerry Bluetooth and everything else I'd possibly need.

[B92 8NW]

And you get a dollar change:D:D

[rogan]

Alpine are good but if you need to add adapters (like the 400BT module) then budget can quickly get blown. If the product say "BT ready" or "Ipod ready" then you'll need an adapter. My only dislike of Alpine units is that their menu systems aren't that user friendly. Only get the Alpine units with parrot BT, the older stuff wasn't the best.

Pioneer are also good. One thing I like is the esc button that all Pioneer units seem to have. Means that my wife can easily get back to the start menu if she presses the wrong button.

JVC are doing some good units so consider them as well.

Pricing of headunits is pretty much determined by feature levels and quality between brands is reasonably similar. Determine what features you want and then go hunting on price and user friendliness. Presuming you don't play CDs, then look for something with a rear USB connection. You feed this to the glovebox and can then have ipod or memory stick in glovebox as your audio source. Forget burning WMA/mp3 onto disc, get a 4gb USB memory stick and use that instead: more storage so you can either run higher compression or store more music, no moving parts, small, much easier to burn onto or edit music.

preamp outputs: I always recommend getting something with a subwoofer output which usually means 2 x preamp outputs. Gives you flexibility down the track should you ever decide to add a sub or amplifiers.

One option: JVC Products Australia : Welcome (http://www.jvc-australia.com/JVC/client/c_products_details.jsp?catID=27&prodID=598)
Has vari-colour display so you're not stuck with the blue illumination. If blue illumination isn't a worry then consider the R716 which is $349 retail.

[ScottW]

Keep an eye on ebay. Usually you will find someone clearing a whole bunch of 'old model' pioneer headunits for about half of what they are to buy in the shop. The will dribble them out at 1-2 a day. My pioneer does all the things you ask (needs an adaptor for the ipod though) as well as taking a USB stick full of MP3's. Much easier to use than CD's.

I got a good one for $250 delivered with the warranty.

[Yorkshire_Jon]

Ive just recently upgraded the 110 sound system. Ended up going for a JVC head unit with the sub and pre out connections. It has iPod & BT control along with front Jack socket and 2 usb connectors. The new JVC units have a motorized flip front access panel at the front. I didn't think that would last five minutes in the 110 so I managed to get one of the old stock - exactly the same functionality but with a removable front.

I then went on to replace the existing speakers with JBL units - these give more throw and depth but I chose to compliment them with some (Boston) small mid & tweeter type things that sit ontop of the dash near the A pillars.

On the rear bulkhead (it's a 110dc) I put an 8" powered sub.

All in all, works very well.

[one_iota]

I finally gave up on the standard unit and yesterday installed a Pioneer DEH 4250 SD. It has noticably better radio reception and it's great to be able to plug the iPod in. Speakers might be the next consideration but the Fender is hardly an audiophile's sound lounge.

The only trick was making the connection between the ISO plugs and the unit. I bought a Harness (aeropro APP8PIO) but the unit end plug supposedly for Pioneer units didn't fit so I ended up cannabilising this and adapting the harness that came with the unit.

[tapout]

Hi Peter, expansive head units is something i gave up on years ago, i brought one from repco at nerang for $75 Amazon.com: Jensen CD6112 CD Receiver: Electronics, It has everything i need and great sound, easy to use and droped it into the d2 in about 30min with the adaptor plug things so i didnt have to cut my wiring harness. Its cheap and works as good as anyother, ive bounced it around heaps.

Jason.

[Oboman]

HI,

I am also wanting to replace the standard cd player in my 2000 for one with usb and mp3 support.

I was just wondering if anyone knows how to remove the one thats in the 2000 model TD5 Disco auto.

Thanks.

[inside]

I'm looking at head units too. Marine units may last a little longer, not sure.Alpine Electronics of America, Inc. (http://www.alpine-usa.com/product/category/marine)

[mattyg]

I've put in a JVC R 816 into my D2a. Great unit, built in Bluetooth, does wma, mp3 ,cd ,aux in ,and USB.
It has sub output and control as well as 2 other pre outs.
I love the custom colour display. It's green to match the dash lights.
Also If you had steering wheel audio controls, get a PAC swi jack off eBay and you can still use them.

[rob.35]

Hey all, I have a 1991 series 1 discovery with the standard eurovox headunit but i have to reset it when the battery was replaced. I have the password but I think something else has to be done. Could anyone help?

[101RRS]

Just enter the numbers on the number pad - that is all that should be required.

[rob.35]

Thanks Garrycol, but it didnt work. any other ideas?

[101RRS]

Then you are either doing it wrong or you have the wrong number.

If I remember correctly you turn the radio on and enter the numbers and that is it.

Garry

[Pedro_The_Swift]

I just downloaded the 2011 cattledogs from Alpine and Pioneer and neither of them do a cd receiver that has-
3 preouts
front usb
and inbuilt bluetooth,,

600 bucks and they cant put those three things together,,
forget steering wheel controls,,

that JVC looks good though,,,
hmm JVC.com??

[Pedro_The_Swift]

interestingly,Kenwood do one for 400



KDC-X8016BT rear usb though,,





clarion do one around 400, the CZ500A,, but rear usb,,
JVC make one that says bluetooth --
"adaptor included"

anyone elaborate on that,, is there a module on the end of that adaptor?

[ScottW]

My pioneer has a rear usb, but came with an extension lead which I can run to wherever. I'd worry about knocking and breaking a usb stick poking straight out the front of the stereo.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

I just downloaded the 2011 cattledogs from Alpine and Pioneer and neither of them do a cd receiver that has-
3 preouts
front usb
and inbuilt bluetooth,,

600 bucks and they cant put those three things together,,
forget steering wheel controls,,

that JVC looks good though,,,
hmm JVC.com??


interestingly,Kenwood do one for 400



KDC-X8016BT rear usb though,,





clarion do one around 400, the CZ500A,, but rear usb,,
JVC make one that says bluetooth --
"adaptor included"

anyone elaborate on that,, is there a module on the end of that adaptor?



OMGOMGOMG!!

I might have found one,,,:o:o:o:o

KD-R926BT | JVC Australia (http://www.jvc.com.au/car-av/head-units/kd-r926bt)

and it has DUAL USB's,, and steering wheel connector,, OMGOMG!!

[banarcus]

I just bought this for my disco:

Sound Master Car Audio - ($369) Kenwood KDC-X8016BT Car CD Tuner KDCX8016BT (http://www.soundmaster.com.au/Kenwood-KDC-X8016BT-Car-CD-Tuner/KDCX8016BT.asp)

Has built in BT, three preouts, steering wheel remote wire, rear USB with a long cable to loop it to wherever you want etc etc. Ticks all the boxes for me and SWMBO. Great price from these guys aswell.