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I know you have a MB-75 source unit. How do Nak units compare to Eclipse?
I am using a eclipse 5303 right now and it is starting to have problems. I am considering buying a CD45z with Amber backlight (will match my dash too :) ) I also wanted to know how well it plays CDR's
I also like the Treble/Mid/Bass control it has. I am just curious how much better it is. I really don't want a detach face but I would deal with it (this is why I have keep Eclipse units)
Lastly is how do you have power wired to your unit? meaning does the radio still stay on until you open the door?
The CD is the cleanest on the market.
The FM is OK but there are better.
If I have the tires inflated past 40 PSI it starts to skip on hard bumps. I keep it at 35 and its fine except on mongo bumps of which there are a few here in NYC.
I don't have a CD burner so I don't know about the CD/RW. I'd grab a disk and go to a shop and test one. I would be supprised if its a problem though.
I hooked it up to the stock head unit power wires. Yes, it does stay on until you open the doors, etc. like the stock unit.
But if I wanted the best sounding CD, Nak is it.
Good luck!
The only reasons I didn't go with nak:
1) Famous for not reading CDR/CDRW
2) Reliability concerns. I don't know if they are founded or not, but when enough people say it, I listen.
Denon is also very good. We carried them at our shop as well. They helped develop the CD digital recording format. They dropped out of the car sterio business for a little while because they were inserting their electronics into units with the drive, etc. made by JVC and the JVC parts were failing. They decided that since they couldn't make their own mechanical pieces yet that they would get out until they could. I guess they are tooled up now to make the units. Probably real quality pieces.
As to the quality of the NAK, I don't remember any problems when I was installing them and I haven't had any with mine. Doesn't mean anything though. Usually problems happen in a single model or mechanical frame and not in the whole lineup.
The Nakamichi units are great.... when they work. The problem is, they really don't last. As a retailer, I recently dumped Nakamichi, mainly due to warranty/reliability issues. When you're paying close to a $1000.00 for a stereo, should you have problems lets say you would with a JVC or a JENSEN type stereo? The Nak units have the cleanest preamp's but that's it. Much like the Nakamichi, I recently dumped the Eclipse as well. The products are great when they last, but the problems are far too frequent.
Someone mentioned DENON, yes, the $2500 stereo is a good one, but if you're going to spend that much money on a head unit, go for THE BEST, the ALPINE F#1 status unit. It's heads and shoulders above anything on the market. If you need proof, go to any F#1 status dealers (not all Alpine dealers are) and ask them to show you this unit. It's remarkable. The best stereo ever made, hands down.
As I said, I never had a problem with NAK when I was installing or my current unit. Other units may not be so reliable. I don't have any knowledge of them. I got mine for $400. The preamp is great and the CD is really clean. If I didn't get a NAK, I would get an Alpine 79 something, maybe 7998?
I have the Nakamichi 45Z head unit in my 98 C5 and am about to change it out. When I first purchased it, I thought I was getting top of the line. Granted the CD player is great, but that's about it. Here's what I have had problems with. 1. Horrible FM and AM reception, in fact the Bose had better. 2. Currently on my second head unit, had cd shipping problems. 3. Problems pending right now in the cd skipping on low bass notes again (I am running 1 JL 10W3). 4. CDR problems - will tend to play only some songs - I can't believe a 500 dollars unit doesn't have better capabilities.
In other words, choose Alpine or Eclipse, I should have......
Wow! That black face Dennon looks awesome! It's the only one that actually looks like it would belong in a C4 dash! Simple looking and a nice backlit amber glow. How much is one of those bad boys?
[QUOTE]As I said, I never had a problem with NAK when I was installing or my current unit. The preamp is great and the CD is really clean.QUOTE]
I switch between a Nakamichi CD7 (GOING ON 8 YEARS OLD) and my Kenwood Excelon. The CD unit in the Nakamichi has never given me one problem, great playback/sound quality. However the am/fm reception is **** poor. Consequetly road trips get the Excelon reinstalled.
I have to agree I loved the sound out of my Nakamichi. never listen to the radio so i don't know about the reception. only problem i had with the unit is that someone decided they liked it more than me. stuck with an old cheapo for a while till i get another Nakamichi unit. going for the MD unit this time
I have an Alpine in my 68 mustang. If you want something that doesn't skip this is it. My mustang probably has the stiffest suspension you have ever seen and it has never skipped. I have an older model (7829) which I like to keep my audio system a "sleeper" ;) . I have heard very good things about Nakamchi also but have no experience with them.