Perfection Never Looked So Good
Written: Jun 27 '01
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Pros: BEAUTIFUL LOOKS...BEAUTIFUL SOUND...UNMATCHED BUILD QUALITY
Cons: You gota be kidding if you are even looking in this section!
The Bottom Line: Its an Alpine...you can just take their word for it, or you can take mine: Sweet sound...sweet looks...sweet features
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| herzeleid's Full Review: Alpine CDA-D857 |
I purchased this Alpine head to replace my 1 week old stock headunit. Considering I have a GM and the SUV is only 1 week old, I was hesitant about replacing the stock unit with a DIN. From experience, DIN in a DIN-1/2 just does not look professional. So, at the time all I knew about was the Pioneer Din-1/2's. I checked them out but they just looked cheap; not to mention the huge buttons. So I researched around for other good Din-1/2 (not Jensen or Sanyo) and 2 other brands popped out; Alpine and AutoTek. I liked the AutoTek because it had a Tape/CD combo and their good quality but until now I have yet to find a retailer. Regardless, once I saw the Alpine, it was love at first site. The price tag was a little high but it was worth it.
Cosmetics:
Like I said before, this unit is beautiful. The colors look professional and you can choose between green/amber. The massive EQ display is beautiful and you can choose to display in 6 patterns. Buttons are very firm and the overall build is perfect.
Mechanics:
CD player never...ever skips. I have the Alpine 12 Changer hooked up to it and the controls are very easy. This unit is not capable of CD-Text but you can still title your CDs. Radio stations can also be titled. The radio picks up very well and you have amble memory. The remote supplied with the unit works very well and is big enough to hold in your hand.
Sound:
The reason I replaced a brand new stock unit is because of clarity. I was not able to hear certain instruments in my car that I was hearing in my Denon at home. But from experience, stock units were not the only ones with such setbacks. Many of the aftermarket brands have the same problem. I listened to Clarion, Sony, Kenwood and Rockford and non of them impressed me. This Alpine headunit with BBE and 2 4v preouts produces the clearest music I have ever heard.
Negatives:
OK, there is one. It does not have a third preout for a sub with level control.
Conclusion:
If you want to buy a new headunit and need it to look good in your car, and you have a Din-1/2 opening, then I would save myself a lot of time and get this headunit. Beautiful is not even a big enough word to describe it. Aside from the great quality if Alpine, the amazing sound, this headunit is a real eye grabber (did I mention it has a removable face for security??).
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 440
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Epinions.com ID:
herzeleid
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Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Reviews written: 12
Trusted by: 1 member
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