Audiophile quality
Written: Mar 28 '02
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Pros: The best sound quality at or near this price, period.
Cons: Hard to use removable face plate.
The Bottom Line: The Nakamichi is the only choice for the ultimate in sound quality for under $500.
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| marchi's Full Review: Nakamichi CD-45Z Car CD Player |
This is the first time I have been driven to replace my speakers by installing a new head unit. I have of course replaced the cheap factory speakers in a car when I replace the factory radio, and I have replaced speakers because a new amp or head unit exceeds their power ratings. But when I recently installed the CD-45z, all the sonic short comings of the five-year-old Polk co-axials that had sounded so good with my previous head unit jumped out to slap my ears and make me run to find replacments. I was simply amazed at the improvement in sound quality provided by the Nakamichi.
I chose the CD-45z to replace an older Kenwood CD-receiver in my Honda Accord. The Kenwood had served me well for five years, but it had recently begun to skip, and I had dropped the removable face plate enough times that it was scratched and ugly. I decided it was time to get a new unit.
I knew what I didn't want. I didn't want flashy graphics, moving face plates, in-dash DVD or flip-up LCD screens. I didn't want something that would be so noticable it would scream at passing thieves, "Steal Me! Steal Me!" I didn't want chrome and neon and bright colors.
I wanted a single CD player with a good radio. I desired line-level pre-outs for both the front and rear so I could add outboard amps, and I wanted a seperate sub pre-out. I wanted a powered head unit so I didn't have to use outboard amps if I didn't want to. I wanted a rotary volume knob, not "up and down" push buttons. I wanted good sound quality, not a slew of useless features. I wanted a remote control, and I wanted easy single-DIN installation. I wanted an elegant appearance that would enhance the interior of the car, not compete with it.
I researched many available CD head units on the market - and there are hundreds - and decided the Nakamichi had the look, feel and features I most desired. Plus, other reviews in Epinions and elsewhere routinely called its sound quality top notch.
I found a local car stereo dealer who carries Nakamichi, and was blown away by the look and sound of the CD-45z. I was taken back by the price, however, as the retail outlet wanted $550, installed. Eek. The lower-priced CD-40z was better at $300, but it lacked many of the features (such as 20 bit DAC and multiple pre-outs) that made the 45 so attractive. So, it was time to check the web.
I found a dealer in Florida by searching eBay who sold me a brand new CD-45z for $279 plus shipping. No sales tax, and less than the local dealer wanted for the model 40. I ordered it.
Like I said at the beginning of this review, I was blown out by how good this head unit sounds. Everything is crisp, distinct, and powerful. The built-in amplifiers are rated at a true 43 watts per channel, and the sound from them is clean up to ear-bleeding volume levels. The three-zone tone controls allow me to compensate for recording diffenrences between CDs, and for the awful acoustic environment of the car interior. The non-fading 4v sub pre-out drives my sub woofer amp at much higher levels than the Kenwood ever could. I turned the gain on the amp down by half from its previous setting, and still can thump the block if I want to. The feel and flexibility of the multi-function rotary encoder is far, far superior to the pushbuttons common on almost all other brands.
The sound difference between the Nakamichi and the Kenwood is like the difference between the paint jobs and driving experience on a 2002 Lexus compared to a 1975 Chevy Vega. There is, simply, no comparison.
The only two complaints I have about this unit are: I, like many other reviewers, would like sub level controls. This is a minor problem, and one easily overcome by proper sub woofer setup. It would be nice, however, to be able to turn the sub woofer down when I listen to baseball games on AM radio.
The other complaint has to do with the difficulty in getting the front face plate on and off. It (at least on my unit) seems to stick, and I have to force it off. Then, when putting it back on, there is no guide to let me know it is in the correct position before I snap it down. I am being picky here, but on a unit of this quality, the face plate should glide on and off and feel like a door mechanism on a Rolls Royce.
I replaced my worn-out Polk speakers, by the way, with Sony Xplode in the front doors and Coustic components in back. These, along with my Infinity subwoofers, create a sound like the inside of a recording chamber in the car.
I am very happy.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 279
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Epinions.com ID:
marchi
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Location: Redwood City, CA
Reviews written: 12
Trusted by: 2 members
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