What's the best wire gauge to run to the HU?

[phrarod]

Its kind of lame. For the same initial price you could get their 7889 model which has a CD and all the built in EQ. Then you just need the $30 mic and software. However even though this is iPod/memory stick only and doesn't have the space eaten up by a CD transport they didn't include the EQ. That's a separate box for $179. In the end I have to say its pretty awesome. I thought my old Soundstream wasn't very good and figured I would have to change it out. I guess I'm hearing it for the first time. I never heard it sound so good...

[EWorkshop1708]

I just can't see spending $400 on just a HU when that could go to amps and speakers. You can get great SQ on a HU just over $100-$180 if you shop around. Sony has a HU with CD, MP3CD, USB and Ipod hookup for $160. It may not like some HU, have a flashy super-fancy color LCD display showing pictures of cities, buildings, and demo video, but IMO that's not needed just to play some music.

*I've also saw DVD HU's for less than $400 as well, and it has connections for extra video screens too.

[phrarod]

The Alpine replaced a Sony. I always had Sony's. When I went to replace my older hi-end Sony the salesman warned me Sony SQ isn't what it used to be. Boy was he right! It was horrible. Beyond horrible! Making me think all my speakers were blown and the amp was no good.

[EWorkshop1708]

Originally posted by phrarod
The Alpine replaced a Sony. I always had Sony's. When I went to replace my older hi-end Sony the salesman warned me Sony SQ isn't what it used to be. Boy was he right! It was horrible. Beyond horrible! Making me think all my speakers were blown and the amp was no good.

In that case, if the SQ is better I understand.

Also, a friend of mine has an Alpine HU in his Mercedes-Benz 560SEC and it sounds really good.

The idiots at Circuit City incorrectly wired his 4 speakers to 2ohms/ch to the front channels and didn't connect the rear channels at all, and despite the overdriven front channels, the sound was good! However, I convinced my friend to return back to Circuit City and have them correctly wire the 4 speakers to all 4 channels. The SQ really didn't change any, but at least he's running the right impedance now. The Alpine is a good unit, I don't remember what model.

[phrarod]

I don't know why, maybe it was the faceplate layout, but I never liked Alpine. The iDA= X100 changed my mind. I was skeptical and looked at all the units by all the manufacturers at CES and no one came close to the Alpine for true iPod integration or the fact that the Alpine has the license to bypass the internal iPod dac chip and instead use a Burr-Brown. I think this makes a huge difference too.

Someone told me Alpine went through a rough patch but the new ones are back to good SQ. If you want CD the 9887 has CD and the imprint software is built in. All you need is the $30 software and mic.