I'm having a tough time finding a headunit that has the features I'm looking for:

- 3 sets of pre-outs, at least 4 volt
- MP3 playback
- flip-down NON-MOTORIZED faceplate (I hate motorized faceplates, they always seem to break and just seem pointless to me).
- auxiliary input (either built-in or with an adapter, I don't care)

Can anyone help me out? I thought I had found a Pioneer that I liked, but it had a motorized faceplate. ALL the Kenwoods seem to have motorized faceplates.

I don't care for Alpine all that much, but would consider it if it had the features I'm looking for.

Any help would be much appreciated.

<-- bought GS-R nearly 4 1/2 yrs ago and still using the factory tape deck, plus factory Alpine changer which will not read any CD's at all anymore

 

Dude your going to have a tough time finding a deck with all those features and a non motorized faceplate. Most of the decks want to hide the input slot and save the room for more interface buttons or graffics.

I have had my Alpine for 3 years now and have never had a problem with the faceplate motor.

As for your factory CD changer, if you want to read a CD open it up and clean the laser lens with a Q-tip dipped in alcohol (rubbing!). You have nothing to loose and it is not that hard.

 

Yeah I definitely want a faceplate with no slot in it, but I want one that just has a release button that you push and the faceplate drops down (via gravity).

Pioneer's 7700MP almost fits the bill, but has 2.2-volt pre-outs. I may settle for it, though.

 

OMG I can't believe it, I actually fixed my CD changer! I opened it up and removed the rails that the laser lens assembly slides on so that I could flip the assembly over and see the lens, and cleaned it w/ an eyeglass cloth and cleaning solution. It actually works now, for the first time in months.

 

I dunno man I would go with Alpine... it will have all the features you are looking for, but it does have motorized faceplates. However I have worked with Alpine for 6-7 years now and have never had a problem with them.

 

I'm just not a fan of the faceplate design... all the models look mostly the same.

 

I am going to agree with JDM_Ej and capdaddy222 about the Alpine HUs motorized face plates, non of the over 100 that I have installed has had a problem with the face plate motorization, that said I have had motorized face plate Alpine and others come into my shop with problems, and with the exception of 1 or 2 it has always been an install problem, [the most common being no back support installed]
My Alpine CDA-7893 has been working flawlessly since I installed it into my 94 teg, that I autocross, [lots of vibration, and very stiff suspension] it is also my daily driver.

One other thing, even the Alpines that don't have an AUX input, if it is a CD changer controller, there is an adpt. you can get to make the CD changer port an AUX input and if its for an iPod there is the KAC-420i, [iPod interface]

IMO it will be hard to beat the Alpine CDA-9855, MSRP $500 packed with features, http://www.alpine.com 94

 

I agree with FCM. I also have had an Alpine for about 4-5 years now with a motorized face, and have never had a problem with it. They seem to have most of the features you are looking for expect for the motorized faceplate.

 

Yeah I want something that has no internal amp because they create a bitchload of heat,

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by low430 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yeah I want something that has no internal amp because they create a bitchload of heat, </TD></TR></TABLE>Not if your not using it. But I know what you mean, I have some flexible tube and a disperser mounted below my CDA-7893, hooked up to a modified 12V hair dryer, [3 speed] [heater, handle and most of barrel remove] mounted behind the glove box, works like a dream. 94

 

Heat aside Decks with preamp outputs only are better quality signal and higher end.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by low430 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Heat aside Decks with preamp outputs only are better quality signal and higher end. </TD></TR></TABLE> Well I agree that HU without internal amps, are generally the higher end units of any one brand, but that does not mean, that the preamp output stage is any better in a non amplified HU then the preamp output stage of a HU with an internal amp, Alpine CDA-7998 @ $800 US or the CDA-7990 @ $3000 US are Alpines top of the line and no argument from me that the CDA-7990. [Alpines F1 status Hu] is the best sounding HU Alpine has, [probably one of, if not, the best sounding HUs out there] but then it won't sound any better then Alpines entry level CDE-9843, if connected to a $ 99.99 1000W Leer-jet amp., but that's just my opinion. 94