what is a good cd chager/tuner deck that is cheap and works well?

 

I can only recommend what I know (have). I got the Sony Xplod CDX-CA750X. I got it in a package deal, so I can't break down the price for you.

Try a setp down with the CDX-CA650X. It should be $200 in major stores. It got all the same specs as mine, same output, remote control, etc, EXCEPT the DSO (Dynamic Soundstage Organizer). This feature automatically adjust the sound so it will be balanced. DSO also adjust the sound where it does not sound like your speakers are coming from the bottom of the door. But it does have MBP (My Best Position), which adjust the sound to seating position you select.
http://www.xplodsony.com/products/?C...&MD=CDX-CA650X

The 650 looks almost exactly like the 550X, which does NOT have CD changer controls.

P.S. Using the CD changer controller on the Sony HU would require you to use only Sony CD changer.

 

I completely disagree with GoLowDrew.
Sony is crap, unless you're buying something along the lines of a TV...If you compare Sony car audio products with other brands..you'll find out that it's really nothing to be happy about.

To run a CD changer in most systems, you use a cassette deck, and CD changer that usually gives off a radio signal (so your CD music is now radio quality). You should consider a single in dash cd player.

I would get a CD player off ebay (I got a great deal, and great service), just make sure the person selling it has a lot of good feedback.. If you want something cheap, get a Pioneer. If you look at the specs, many of the lower models have the same features, just without the ugly screensaver function..

 

that DSO feature. dose that mean that it makes songs sound like its at a 128 bitrate? say that do you DL mp3s off of the net and make it into a WAV format to put on a cd. if they are at diff bitrates the DSO would make it sound like its all one bitrate?

 

The Sony Xplod HU I got does not play mp3 (plays recorded CD), but other models do. So I don't know, and I don't know anything about mp3 other than it's a DL format. Maybe others can jump in on this about mp3. Sorry.

 

Do you mean an HU with CD changer controls?...or an HU with a built-in changer? In any case, if you're looking for an HU with changer controls, check out Nakamichi's. The CD40z and CD45z have SQ on par with Eclipses and cost much less. If you want an HU with a built-in changer, than either Eclipse or Alpine. Nakamichi has a couple of models also, MB75 and MB100, but I've heard of some probs with the MB75...haven't heard anything bad about the MB100.

 

On MP3's when you expand them to .wav to put on an audio CD, the .wav files have a fixed bitrate (around 150 KBYTES/sec) regardless of the bitrate of the source mp3. If your mp3 source file is a 128 kbit one, it will be 150 KBYTES/sec in .wav format...but the sound will not improve because you are not improving anything in the source file. MP3's at 160 or 192 kbps should sound better as WAV files but they will be no larger because the CD audio files (what your wav files become when you put them on CD are fixed at 150KBYTES/sec).

Summary: higher bitrate mp3's sound better, but take up no more space as wav files.

The DSO basically adjusts your relative speaker levels to even out the sound depending on your seating position.

My CDX-MP450 plays mp3s directly from CDR or CDRW...I can put 200 songs on a disc...it's great