I am looking at a new h.u.
06-22-2009, 04:30 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 03-03-2008
Location: Ft.Myers.FL
Posts: 762
I am looking at a new h.u.
I am looking at these new (to me) stereos with no cd player, just usb port, is their anything that makes one better than the other? I see alot of different "processors" or whatever in these things and I don't know what I am looking for, some of these boast better sound and blah blah blah. 
I do not like the sound quality of my ipod and the factory stereo, I have an 06 no usb port. I just recently upgraded my factory door speakers and am considering an alpine amp for those so while I am at it what should I look for in a stereo? I am trying to decide if there is an advantage or disadvantage having a cd player or not, don't really carry any anymore. Any of you have experience with this stuff? Thanks, Guy 
I do not like the sound quality of my ipod and the factory stereo, I have an 06 no usb port. I just recently upgraded my factory door speakers and am considering an alpine amp for those so while I am at it what should I look for in a stereo? I am trying to decide if there is an advantage or disadvantage having a cd player or not, don't really carry any anymore. Any of you have experience with this stuff? Thanks, Guy
06-22-2009, 04:47 PM
#2
Member
Join Date: 01-15-2009
Location: Florida
Posts: 68
things to look for to get good SQ out of a head unit:
- 24 bit digital to analog converter
- High voltage preamp outputs (if using external amp) (4 or 5 volts preferred)
- High signal to noise ratio (if using internal amp)
- good equalization (3 band parametric or better) (some nice pioneer units have automatic EQ and include a microphone to EQ to your specific car / speakers)
- Time alignment capabilities
If you find most of those in a brand name head unit, you should be ok. not super audiophile quality, but way above average..
if anyone has any other suggestions / modifications to mine, plz chime in.
As far as CD player or not goes.. from what i've seen, they are about the same price to get the cd player (i haven't looked all that much though) and ive always used the just in case approach. always better to have more capability
- 24 bit digital to analog converter
- High voltage preamp outputs (if using external amp) (4 or 5 volts preferred)
- High signal to noise ratio (if using internal amp)
- good equalization (3 band parametric or better) (some nice pioneer units have automatic EQ and include a microphone to EQ to your specific car / speakers)
- Time alignment capabilities
If you find most of those in a brand name head unit, you should be ok. not super audiophile quality, but way above average..
if anyone has any other suggestions / modifications to mine, plz chime in.
As far as CD player or not goes.. from what i've seen, they are about the same price to get the cd player (i haven't looked all that much though) and ive always used the just in case approach. always better to have more capability
06-26-2009, 01:13 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: 12-21-2007
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 136
things to look for to get good SQ out of a head unit:
- 24 bit digital to analog converter
- High voltage preamp outputs (if using external amp) (4 or 5 volts preferred)
- High signal to noise ratio (if using internal amp)
- good equalization (3 band parametric or better) (some nice pioneer units have automatic EQ and include a microphone to EQ to your specific car / speakers)
- Time alignment capabilities
If you find most of those in a brand name head unit, you should be ok. not super audiophile quality, but way above average..
if anyone has any other suggestions / modifications to mine, plz chime in.
As far as CD player or not goes.. from what i've seen, they are about the same price to get the cd player (i haven't looked all that much though) and ive always used the just in case approach. always better to have more capability
- 24 bit digital to analog converter
- High voltage preamp outputs (if using external amp) (4 or 5 volts preferred)
- High signal to noise ratio (if using internal amp)
- good equalization (3 band parametric or better) (some nice pioneer units have automatic EQ and include a microphone to EQ to your specific car / speakers)
- Time alignment capabilities
If you find most of those in a brand name head unit, you should be ok. not super audiophile quality, but way above average..
if anyone has any other suggestions / modifications to mine, plz chime in.
As far as CD player or not goes.. from what i've seen, they are about the same price to get the cd player (i haven't looked all that much though) and ive always used the just in case approach. always better to have more capability
06-26-2009, 03:11 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: 06-09-2009
Location: Clinton, Mass
Posts: 2,950
Is it the current model?
I have a USB dongle(!) hanging out the back of my latest Kenwood CD player and love being able to carry 400+ cds in my jacket pocket (4 memory stix).
