Head units

[miz_wright]

I am looking to get a new car stereo, 'cos my lil' putt-putt is an older model and I'd like to upgrade the sound system. While there is something to be said for the tape deck, I prefer not to have my disc changer in my trunk, and would like to be able to plug my iPod directly into the system without having to fiddle with the FM-transmitter.

The problem at hand is that I have NO IDEA where to look for things like this and get, y'know, knowledgeable service.

So I solict y'all for your thoughts on a decent head unit and its attendant benefits. In my ideal world (HAHAHAHA!), I'd like to have an MP3 jack, iTunes tagging, and a tape deck (this is where the laughter comes into play). I can live without a CD changer, but options are, of course, always nice to have.

Spill yer guts!

[DannyCox]

I don't believe I have seen a deck with both a mini-plug jack and a tape deck! In fact, I don't think I've seen a deck that could handle cassettes in a couple of years.

There are plenty of good models with in-dash CD changers. My BMW had the thing in the trunk which was such a pain, and I said I'd never do that again. Currently, I have an Alpine with a 6 CD in-dash changer (just feed them in) and a plug for my iPod. Keep in mind it's the quality of the amp and speakers that are what are important for good sound.

[softball]

ah damn, I thought this was a thread about a new product from Emp EJ

[miz_wright]

ah damn, I thought this was a thread about a new product from Emp EJ

*cracks up*

And, sadly, it's not about the units to which I've given head, either!

[jdog]

Well I'd go with Alpine, depends how much you wanna spend I guess. I'm a Alpine fan boy, but there's other good brands out there. With Alpine you buy the head unit (decent one for $200, or you can get higher priced at $400-$500). But even with the cheaper $200 headunits, you can get a simple, $30 Alpine IPod cable and hook the iPod up through the head unit.

Then you can control your ipod from the head unit instead of fiddling with the ipod to find the songs. That's the setup I much prefer, but I believe other brands such as Sony, Pioneer, etc, have something of the same. The iPod cable is becoming pretty popular, but I will say that the new Alpines have a really fast hookup with the iPod and browse through your music FAST!

[miz_wright]

Well I'd go with Alpine, depends how much you wanna spend I guess. I'm a Alpine fan boy, but there's other good brands out there. With Alpine you buy the head unit (decent one for $200, or you can get higher priced at $400-$500). But even with the cheaper $200 headunits, you can get a simple, $30 Alpine IPod cable and hook the iPod up through the head unit.

Then you can control your ipod from the head unit instead of fiddling with the ipod to find the songs. That's the setup I much prefer, but I believe other brands such as Sony, Pioneer, etc, have something of the same. The iPod cable is becoming pretty popular, but I will say that the new Alpines have a really fast hookup with the iPod and browse through your music FAST!

Any models you'd recommend?

[DannyCox]

I've been using Alpine for all my car stereos for the past 30 years. I have never bought anything else, and I have never had a problem. They have a bunch of models that will serve you well, you just need to go look and find the one that feels right for you.

[Hell Puppy]

I like the Mark Levinson system.

It's rather pricey, but it comes with a free Lexus.

[miz_wright]

@ HP:

*grin*

Yeh, but then I have to go to all that trouble of unloading the Lexus, and that seems more trouble than it's worth.

[Hell Puppy]

Seriously, Alpine seems to be making the best bang for buck head ends these days. Good sound quality and you can get as nuts as you want with the feature set from just a basic AM/FM/Sat/CD/MP3 unit to full on pop out touch screens with GPS, hard drives for MP3, etc.

As I'm guessing you already know, the head end these days mostly just dictate feature set and interface. Your sound quality is going to be dictated by your speakers and amps.

[miz_wright]

Seriously, Alpine seems to be making the best bang for buck head ends these days. Good sound quality and you can get as nuts as you want with the feature set from just a basic AM/FM/Sat/CD/MP3 unit to full on pop out touch screens with GPS, hard drives for MP3, etc.

As I'm guessing you already know, the head end these days mostly just dictate feature set and interface. Your sound quality is going to be dictated by your speakers and amps.

Yeh, my fella is a car nut... But I have to deal w/ the interface bits, and since this is my Xmess present (*wink*), I wanna know what the parts *I* will be dealing with have to offer. He can handle the rest *laugh*