sound quality and iPod interface? Just got an iPod nano and want to switch out my Kenwood H/U for something that works a bit better with an iPod. I know that several H/U out are capable, I have been looking, just wondering if any forum members can pass on some advice on which are good for SQ, ease of operation and ease of hookup? As a starting point I am looking at a Pioneer Premier DEH-P880PRS,
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...rs/DEH-P880PRS
but would consider other brands as well, example Alpine ect, or even a different model Pioneer.

Thanks in advance for the opinion and have a great New Year,

Darion

 

Alpine is pretty much king for ipod interface. The new 9887 appears to be almost as good as the decks from 2005 and previous.

it has a 5 band parametric which is much more useful than graphic EQs.

 

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...ers/DEH-P980BT

16-Band Graphic EQ will def help with a sql build.

Look on pricegrabber.com for good prices.

http://electronics.pricegrabber.com/.../search=p980bt

 

I have the 880 and I love it, especially for it's SQ. I also like the IPOD interface, but I think the Alpine is a bit better. I use the IPOD nearly exclusively and typically leave it on a random play in one of the playlists. In this situation, it works very well. If you want to search album, song or artists alphabetically, then you have to scroll (somewhat slowly) through them and it becomes a bit arduous.

I don't want to pull you off the Pioneer because I am very happy with it; but, if you use the IPOD interface to search a lot, you might be a little happier with the Alpine. I don't think you give up much SQ to the Pioneer.

Speed

 

the SQ is pretty much solely determined by your IPOD anyway, since the audio portion is analaog. Just the interface/controls/tagging is digital.

Though there is a dedicated alpine unit for the ipod, which supposedly decodes the music from the ipod.

 

You are referring to the Alpine iDA-X001. I have one and you are right, it performs it's own decoding. It connects via USB and reads the music in data form, using it's own DAC's to give you the best sound possible from an iPod.

It supports MP3 (MPEG-1/2), WMA (Ver. 7.1, 8, & 9), and AAC (m4a) files.

As taken from the Alpine website:

USB

* • USB Requirements: USB 1.1/2.0
* • Max. Power Consumption: 500mA
* • USB Class: Mass Storage
* • File System: FAT 12/16/32
* • MP3 Decoding: MPEG-1/2 AUDIO Layer-3
* • WMA Decoding: Windows Media™ Audio
* • AAC Decoding: ACC-LC format “/m4a” file
* • Number of Channels: 2-Channel (Stereo)
* • Frequency Response: 5-20,000 Hz( ±1dB)
* • Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.008% (at 1 kHz)
* • Dynamic Range: 95 dB (at 1kHz)
* • Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 104dB
* • Channel Separation: 85dB (at 1kHz)
*Frequency Response may differ depending on the encoder software/bit rate.



http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/prod...model=iDA-X001

I have to say that I am not impressed with it's "features," or lack thereof... no crossover, no tunable EQ (presets only), no TA. I am using the crossover in my Xtant amp for now, and I plan on upgrading to a 701 combo when I decide what direction to go with my system.

In the mean time, the HU had been great! The sound quality is really, really good! It works with my jump drive (2 gigs) as well as my Nano and my iPhone. Album art on the screen is pretty sweet, too.

If you are looking for the very best in iPod connectivity, this HU has it hands down.

Mark

 

Thanks for all the replies. At this point I am leaning toward the Alpine 9887. I like the fact that I only need a cable to hook up the iPod and not an additional interface and I stopped in to look at one today and came away pleased.

I wont be making a decision for a few more days so any other information would be helpful,

Thanks again,

Pat

 

I put a 9885 in the wife's 4Runner about 7 months ago. She's an iPod nut, even more of a PITA to please than me, and she likes it.

The ipod interface is great. From my reading, all the Alpine decks with the Full-Speed feature function the same way, and it's a digital connection, making the iPod's analog conversion irrelevant. Not all Alpine decks have the BioLite display. If you're staying with single-DIN, the BioLite display is worth the extra cash.

I liked the iPod interface enough that I followed Komoman's decision to get an Alpine W205 for my truck.

 

I agree, definitely Alpine.

I am in the process of building my system now.
Just bought an Alpine CDA-9886.

Rick

 

but it doesn't even have a cd player


alpine ipod interfaces are hands down the best, where kenwood is pretty slow, and would be at the bottom of manufactuers decks I would put in my car

 

Thanks for all the feedback. I'll be ordering the Alpine 9887 in the next few days.

Darion

 

Darion:

Good choice....

I came down to the 9887 and the 9886, i went with the 9886, one because i wanted all blue buttons and no red, also the 9886 comes with the ipod cable for free (included in the package).

Good luck.

Rick

 

Yup, I looked at the 9886, very nice, but in the end I decided on the 9887 for the additional tuning features. Look forward to getting the unit, had to order it, and getting it in there.

Darion

 

Your pretty subtle.


Darion

 

you can "rent" the tuning interface from Crutchfield. check it out.

 

Thanks for the tip Kale, I'll do that. Is that service avalible online or do you need to call? I looked around at Crutchfield.com and didn't see it.

Darion

 

Finally, someone with the stones to assess Kenwood correctly.

 

With all this love going toward Kenwood I'm gonna have to sell my current 25 anniversary H/U on E-bay.

No worries thought, its all good.

Darion

 

yeah it was on theirsite a whileago, give them a call though.

 

Yea... I know.

I haven't really messed with CD's in my C5 since I owned it. My last HU (Sony MEX-1HD) had an internal hard drive, so I would just rip a CD into the deck and go on. Now I just rip a CD into my PC and move the files to a memory stick, my Nano, or my iPhone. Easy as can be, no losing CD's, no scratching or damaging them, either.

If I really missed the CD portion, I could always add a changer... but I really don't see that happening anytime soon.

Mark