ok, i don't have a lot of money...maybe 300 at most. where does everyone go to get car audio products at nice prices. I can install my own stuff so i'd prefer an online place where i can save money. I've been out of the sound system game for about 3 years > converted to "go" scene. but i need recommendations for cd players. i still want to stay away from sony, pioneer, jvc, kenwood. and i am looking at alpine, clarion, eclipse, and.....thats all i can think of.

if anyone can help me out, its appreciated.

 

Ebay. Alpine. Enough said.

 

Smart man...

 

ok, i was looking at alpine decks online, and i came across this one that i like CDA-7893. is that a decent deck? i really could care less about "ice" at this point, but i just want music that sounds clear and nice. i don't want any subs or anythying, i have a hatchback and i have to save my money for other things. if anyone has any other advice, i'd appreciate it since i'm still in the dark about what's good and what's not at this point.

 

Go w/ ///Alpine; definitely!!

Just keep in mind the expandability features (You damn well know you are going to want better stuff down the road! ). How many sets of pre-outs? Cd changer controlable? stuff like that. Ask many questions at a shop. Don't be afraid, and don't let anyone tell you to buy when you ar enot ready.

 

Try http://www.ikesound.com

 

Ikesound is cheaper when you buy throught ebay... Their username is Scala1

 

Go with the Eclipse you can't go wrong...kenwood is making a strong deck now also

 

make sure when you buy the deck, you get it from an authorized dealer. Dont want to get screwed out of a warranty if something goes wrong. And get Alpine, they're great.

 

Many online dealers will offer a warranty on the products that they sell. It will not, be a factory warranty, but they will match it.

I've purchased all kinds of stuff online, and I've never had a problem. As long as you deal with a reputable dealer you'll be fine. I refuse to put up with an authorzed dealer's B.S. and prices.

 

I picked up an New Alpine 9813 for $300 today from a local stereo shop. That's cheaper than Ebay. If you buy from a non authorized Alpine dealer you may end up in trouble getting warranty service.

 

Alpine

Eclipse by fujitsu ten (best decks ever)



http://www.crutchfeild.com

 

i prefer to go to "local" shops as opposesd to goodguys, circuit city and stuff. if you're in san francisco, check out city stereo just off van ness (around broadway) i think. pacific stereo is alright too, sites and sounds in colma (near the target) is good too.

clarion's new line for 2003 looks pretty good. they have an mp3 player unit for around $200 (336MP is the model number.) i like the alpine decks features but they can be ugly...with the exception of the 7995! its hella expensive though (close to $400), and you need to buy an amp cuz it doesn't have an internal amp. it's the only alpine that plays mp3's if i'm not mistaken.

this may have changed but: i think city stereo offers both clarion and alpine, pacific stereo (redwood city) offers clarion only i think but might be able to get clarion..and sites and sounds (colma) offers clarion, but can get alpine if you need it. double-check with them.

pacific stereo will negotiate with prices, as will sites and sounds, as far as i know. pacific stereo will sometimes even take a loss on the deck (below dealer price) just to move it. it can depend on the deck though, and how you negotiate--they see anyone leaving the store with the intent to buy as a lost sale.

the people at city stereo are cool overall...can't remember a name though. pacific stereo employees are cool but aggressive. sites and sounds are cool overall too, ask for this guy name vince. you can probably get it either cheaper or the same online, and it is only a deck so it's not really a problem as long as the warranty is supported. i just prefer having a face to point a finger at if the deck happens to be defective...and it gets faster results than having to resend stuff back by mail.

i don't know much about eclipse though. hope this helps!

 

you're mistaken because the alpine 7894 plays mp3s along with their new 9813 and some other just check the website.

 

The Alpine 9813 does play MP3s and WMA files. It has a media xpander that makes the MP3s sound even better. It puts back some of the bass. I like it more than my Nakamichi, even though I haven't tried the NAK with the same amp and speakers.

 

go to http://www.etronics.com. i work at circuit city and those prices are only like 5%higher than my employee discount.

 

apparently nakamichi has shut down their car audio division as of last year. It was too bad though, since they were one of my favorite brands a few years ago.

and thanks for all of your opinions guys, esp the post about all the different bay area car audio places. THX!

 

u should save that money and get the pioneer AVX-P7300DVD AVM-P9000R.

 

honestly the new panasonics don't sound bad, nor do the new pioneers. They nearly match or might even edge out the alpines.. but alpines definantly lead in the reliability catagory!

 

thanks for the correction