Got a question for you,

I am looking at an MP3 deck probably Fosgate as it is fairly cheap and has three outs. Does anyone have any experience with this head unit ie the navigation and quality of the files, thanks

 

Isn't that the MP3 deck that only reads from MMC cards?

 

No it takes standard CD-r's

 

I have the sony MP-450

I have to copy my MP3s as a database

You can also divide the tracks into folders so that you don't have to click the button 100Xs to get to a song.

I have a full system in my car and on avg. I fit about 115 songs on a CD.

The best part is you can still use the cd for your computer.

GoodLUCk!~!

 

Do you notice any difference in quality between that and CD's, alot of people speak of compression?

 

Yes, you can notice differences, regardless of how high-end the MP3 player is. With standard 128kbit encoded files, you can hear the degradation as the sound approaches 16khz (cut off point). There's also the 20hz cut off point but that side of the range isn't as noticable. Nonetheless as the compression bitrate goes higher the better quality the song, but the larger the size. Stick with 192kbit for near-CD quality, 128kbit if you want to stuff 140 songs onto a CD.

 

 

I have the Sony too.

Only weakness is the MP3 names don't scroll (8 characters only) and the CD takes about 10 seconds to begin play after insertion.

The songs can be arranged in folders...instead of saying "next song" you can say "next folder"

I can't comment on the built-in amps because I use externals. It is like 50W*4 max. The unit has 2 preouts and a remote control.

On MP3 quality, I'm generally satisfied at 160kbps. You'd really have to listen to hear a diff. from a full size CD.


[Modified by Stephen, 8:36 AM 10/13/2001]

 

I wanna know if I would notice the difference. I currently download my mp3s and burn them as wavs. They sound great.

I guess seeing that I am used to that level of quality there would be no loss when I get a mp3 head unit???

 

I have the Kenwood 828 and I can't tell the difference in 128k VBR compression and CD. I can however, tell the difference between MB Quart High end and low end speakers on the same system Audition one with both MP3@128k and CD and see for yourself. (Sound perception is completly subjective)

 

If you are extracting MP3s to WAVs and playing them...the sound is comparable on an MP3 player.

Extracting an MP3 source to WAV doesn't add any quality to it...while a WAV file has a higher sampling rate, it doesn't matter if the original source has a lower rate.

If you are happy with the way your WAV'd MP3s sound, you'll be happy with an MP3 CD player

Its possible to notice the difference from a fully sampled CD to an MP3, but its not much.

 

A WAV file does not have a higher sampling rate. Both the MP3 and WAV file are sampled at 44.1kHz unless you actually take the time to resample the file at another rate like 48kHz. What a WAV does have is a higher bitrate. When a MP3 is converted to a WAV it;s analogous to moving the entire contents of a small room into a huge room. The content is still the same but there's more room for everything.

 

are you guys with the sony mp3 deck satisfied with it? I was comparing that to the kenwood at circuit city. i brought in my own mp3 disc, and i noticed the kenwood takes seriously too long to load an mp3...are there any other mp3 players out there in the same price range but with ease of use? anyone have expereience with the aiwa? I think thats one of the cheapest ones out there.

 

The Sony is the quickest out there in reading the disks. Like someone stated on another post, it is worth the wait of the Kenwood for the sound quality difference. The Aiwa is just CRAP...nuf said. The Fosgate is OK but not like the Kenwood or the ALpine.

 

I'm decently happy with the Sony...the only real weakness is no scrolling file names. Also, it doesn't do play lists...ABC order and by folder only.

I use external amps though, so I can't comment on the sound, but I would have liked to see an EQ...some of the lower end Sony Xplods have it but this has the D-bass instead.

 

Anyone checking out a MP3 deck should wait for the release of the Clarion DXZ-815MP..

 

Yeah, that Aiwa MP3 deck is a pig POS. My roommate has it in his CRX and that ******* skips all over the place, what a waste of $. Aiwa=