How many of you guys have heard of the Nakamichi CD-700 and its successor, the CD-700II? It is arguably the best head unit in the world. It retails for $1,500-1,800. Sound quality is impeccable. Simplicity at its best.

But look at it. It looks like crap! Who wants a head unit that doesn't even fit the current designs of the 21st century?

And what about features. Well, it has none. The CD-700II is basically the same as the model it replaces, except for that it has better skip protection. Wow... Who even worries about that anymore?

Granted, the sound quality is amazing (this couldn't be stressed enough) and their target market is not teeny-boppers or the type that loves to have little loops of video playing on their HU. But still, is the sound quality THAT amazing that one is justified in forgoing all of the above just to have improved sq over the competition? Is the competition that far behind? I don't know... Clarion makes a mean HU. For that matter, my Apline 9887 isn't too shabby either. It too, has a 24-bit Bit Burr-Brown D/A converter and a host of features that the CD-700 won't see until it is on version XIV.

What's your opinion?

 

I have been a dealer for pretty much every brand of head unit out there over the past 15 years and I hands down prefer the Alpine. Based on quality, performance, options, user interface, cosmetics and cost.

 

I don't really understand the point of this post but I will say that it's pointless to try to achieve home audio sound quality in a car. Once the engine is running; once the car is moving at speed, that sound quality is gone. You can go to great lengths to reduce the sound floor and then spend thousands on audiophile grade equipment and custom fiberglass install, but why? So you can hear the compression of your mp3's? So you can watch 5 minutes of a movie in 5.1 surround on a 7 inch screen while you wait for your food in the drive thru?

I love great sound quality in a car, don't get me wrong. I just don't think that you have to get all top of the line stuff to get there. Once the vehicle is out in the environment, there is going to be very little perceptible difference in sound quality between a very good install with good equipment vs a very custom install with exceptional equipment.

People just want brand name **** so they can swing their nuts for baller status. That **** doesn't impress me in the least. Sorry baller status; had to use your screen name in my post.

 

suspendedHatch: For someone that doesn't understand the point of the post, your comments were well made and your contribution is appreciated! I agree with your assertion; trying to achieve audiophile quality sound in a car is rather foolish for anyone on a budget. Even still, nothing can compare to a studio environment.

broadfield: I'm getting my first Alpine unit installed as we speak. I've owned Kenwood, Panasonic, and Clarion before -- all in the same system. Of the three, I liked the Panasonic one the best (the Clarion was low end). I think if for whatever reason I am not satisfied with my Alpine I will upgrade to Clarion's new flagship model (8V preout...Mmmmm). I like to think of Alpine as the "BMW" of the stereo world -- their head units, at least. For the money, they are great, solid products that deliver exceptional performance-- but they aren't the very best in the world.

My 2 cents anyways.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DC_Civic08 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">broadfield: I'm getting my first Alpine unit installed as we speak. I've owned Kenwood, Panasonic, and Clarion before -- all in the same system. Of the three, I liked the Panasonic one the best (the Clarion was low end). I think if for whatever reason I am not satisfied with my Alpine I will upgrade to Clarion's new flagship model (8V preout...Mmmmm). I like to think of Alpine as the "BMW" of the stereo world -- their head units, at least. For the money, they are great, solid products that deliver exceptional performance-- but they aren't the very best in the world.

My 2 cents anyways.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You say they are not the "best", but how do you determine the best. Sound quality, features, cosmetics, user interface, power output, price, build quality, warranty etc? Taking all of those things into consideration, with some being more prominent than others, I feel the Alpine is the "best". Best sound quality: NO, best price: NO, most features: NO........ but close in all categories.

Have you ever owned a high-end Eclipse?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by broadfield &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Have you ever owned a high-end Eclipse?</TD></TR></TABLE>
I have the CD7000. I have to believe that this HU is one of the ugliest out there. I think any mid-high end Alpine would look 10x better than the Eclipse. Sound quality though, I don't know about that.

 

No, I have only owned the brands mentioned. Never even heard an Eclipse in action, though I am aware of their reputation. Most consider Eclipse, Clarion, and Nakamichi to make the best SQ receivers.

Couldn't agree more on your assertion regarding what is "best." When I was referring to "best," I was only speaking to the sound quality aspect of a head unit. In the broader sense of the word, I would agree that Alpine is probably the best brand out there. Likewise, I would, all things considered, say BMW makes the best cars in the world (though I personally don't like the direction the body styling is going with their 3 series).

PS I just got my car back from Tweeter: unbelievable sound quality coming from my Alpine unit. A full review will be posted soon enough!

 

Yeah, I really have to agree with you on the BMW styling. Also, I look forward to hearing your review on the Alpine. After personally installing in over 20,000 vehicles, I tend to get desensitized to the whole "what sounds the best".

 

20,000 vehicles!? I hope that was an exaggeration! Even if you installed a HU every day of the year, it would take over 50 years to reach that mark!

But yeah, I can see where you would get desensitized after many years of installing systems.

I'll post the review after I take some pictures.

 

I personally average 4-6 vehicles a day, 300 days a year for 15 years now. Of course some big installs may take a week or more, but there are days that I might do 10 vehicles a day.

So it was not an exaggeration