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CD Head Unit Shortlist Help (1 Viewer)

Brian Mansure

Second Unit
Joined
Mar 15, 2000
Messages
460
My 10 year-old Sony CD head unit is dying so I'm in need of an inexpensive but decent CD car receiver to replace it.

What I'm looking for:
Must play CD-R audio CDs (CD-RW playback would also be nice)
Black face-plate (removable would even be better)
Rotary volume knob (highly desirable)
15W X 4 RMS or better
At least one set of amp preouts
MP3 playback would be an added bonus

As with most purchases, I have a limited budget of around $100-$150 including tax/shipping.

My current shortlist consists of:

Clarion DB335 ($119.00 + shipping online) or ($139.95 local)

Alpine CDM-9801 ($159.95 @ CC) or ($128.00 + shipping online)

Alpine CDM-7874 ($159.00 local)

Alpine CDE- 7872/70 ($139.95 / $129.95 local)

Pioneer DEH-1500 ($119.00 + shipping online) or ($129.00 local)

So if you know where I can get my grubby little paws on a head unit along these lines please let me know.
I appreciate your opinions and suggestions.

Thanks,
Brian
 

Andrew S

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Sep 30, 2001
Messages
214
Do those units play MP3? Just curious since it was on your list but I'm pretty sure the Pioneer 1500 does not.
Anyway, I own a Pioneer DEH-3500 and am very happy with it. It has everything I need, (including a pop-up rotary volume control which was one of MY musts as well). It has everything on your list, except for MP3 playback, BUT, the Pioneer DEH-5500 is exactly the same as the 3500, except it supports MP3 and WMA playback. As you can tell I'm a little biased towards this deck, but I figured I'd give you my opinion anyway.
Andrew
 

Brian Mansure

Second Unit
Joined
Mar 15, 2000
Messages
460
Thanks Andrew.

Actually none of the above play MP3s to my knowledge.
I added it to my list as an "extra" that would be great.
I figured spending only $150 I'd be hard pressed to find a head unit that also has MP3 playback but I thought I'd throw it in and see what others suggested.

Thanks again for your reply.

Brian
 

Sean Me

Grip
Joined
Nov 18, 2002
Messages
24
Clarion DB336MP
http://www.clarion.com/sourceunit/srcunit08.htm

The headunit that I found that meets every one of your criterion is the Clarion DB336MP on ebay from ikesound.com for $115+$18 s/h. I called them and they said that you could order it directly through them instead of using the "buy it now" feature on ebay, for the same price. If I were you, I would email ikesound.com asking if they have that particular product for sale (it doesn't show on their website but I know that they have it on ebay under scala1). Then, take their reply which will say that they have it for $X and send pricematch requests to www.sounddomain.com and www.thezeb.com (details on their websites). This way, you will either get a better price, or at the very least you will have better warranty service should a problem arise.

Other potential options, with prices taken from ikesounds website are:

Pioneer DEH-P4500MP $148.50
Pioneer DEH-P450MP $149.40

Blaupunkt MP3000 $130.50 Rotary knob
Blaupunkt San Jose $139.50 Rotary knob

JVC KD-S890 $141.30 Rotary knob
JVC KD-SX990 $146.70
 

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