Nakamichi CD-400 Car CD Player

Pros: Outstanding sound quality, design / ergonomics, rotary encoder-type volume, value for money
Cons: No CD changer control, lousy case for faceplate

DESIGN / APPEARANCE The first thing you will notice about this unit is that the face is all busin ...

Pros: Seriously high-end sound and build quality.
Cons: Ummmm....the mounting bracket could have used more tabs.

You can argue whether or not 24-bit DAC's or low THD %'s actually mean anything off paper or not, but you can't argue that this deck has amazing sound. So tight, so accurate, so rich, so smooth....make that smoooov with a "v". Compared to the harsh, ...

Pros: Old-school godsend. Great pre-amp. Sound quality.
Cons: No RDS. No RTA function.

I have had this head unit for over 3 years. As anyone knows, you can't walk into a Circuit City or Best Buy and find Nakamichi. The market is saturated with head units that have flashy displays and light shows. Lacking are the old school units that have ...

Pros: Looks great, looks similar to my stock BMW unit and has orange illumination.
Cons: Cannot find a local seller and the CD player does not work.

First, it is difficult to find someone who sells Nakamichi. So I bought one from an on-line ebay seller. Then I returned it for another CD-400. Both had the same problem--the CD player did not produce any sound. The unit played the CD and I could skip tracks and watch the second counter increase, but no music. Both units were manufactured in April 2005, which may indicate a bad production month. But I also question why car audio units are still available from 2 years ago! I found a local shop that used to sell the CD-400, but said they had too many problems with the CD-400. I guess it's time I believe them...

Another issue that I have yet to resolve is that both units created a crackling in my speakers when I cranked up the volume. I did not have this issue with my previous (Kenwood) unit, so I won't know if the issue is with the CD-400 or my mature speakers, until I get a good working head unit.

Nakamichi customer service did respond promptly (within 30 minutes) of my complaint, but their response was they are not familiar with my issue.

Pros: Fantastic sound, Good Value, Superb Build Quality
Cons: Radio sounds a bit flat but that's being really picky.

Quite simply the best sounding unit at this price. It's easy to use and has some really great features.

If you like lots of flashing lights and graphics then buy something else but if you're over 20 years old you can't go wrong with a Nakamichi. The connections to the rear are excellent with 4 volt outputs. It has an Aux In socket so you can connect your IPOD or TV directly to it.

If I had to be really picky then the radio isn't excellent, but when cd's sound this good you won't miss it.

Pros: You obtain much more than what you paid for.
Cons: Service and parts are not available here in Mexico and is hard for re-sale.

All my friends and parents donīt want to believe (or understand) that this brand is very much better than others in all aspects. I have had: TD-500, TD-700, RD-450, Cd-35, and now this wonderful CD-400 unit!. I think the TD-700 sounds a little better than this, but this sounds great too.
Now I want to up grade to the CD-700II.
During the last 17 years I have been a Nakamichi fan.
This unit looks FINE like a tail piano and not Ugly like a Christmas tree with hundreds of colors blinking with the rhythm of the music.
Itīs a fine stereo for fine audience.

Pros: everything
Cons: not a single thing

All one has to do to know that you have purchased a great piece of engineering is to shut up and listen to any good CD. Even without an external amp this deck is absolutely going to make your jaw hit the floor. I installed the deck in a regular cab truck using just two top-line Infinity door speakers and my God the dynamic range,balance, clarity and staging are enough to strike you speechless. It always pays to buy quality and not just what the herd buys. If you care about breathtaking sound quality instead of thump-thump then this is your deck. I paid $289.00 and would gladly pay double that after hearing this deck. Nakamichi is not for the mass marketers who want to sell a gazillion units then change the colors and sell a gazillion more using a new model number. Quality super high end electronic circuitry and parts are not mass produced by the millions. Maybe some want everything in a hurry but I will always wait for the sweetness of a rare experience.

Pros: 24 Bit DAC Processor. Easy to use features. Clean looks.
Cons: Trouble reading any disc. When it finally read the disc, it SKIPS!!!

One has to be impressed by the specs this thing has. Very nice features, sound quality, and clean looks. However, if you like listening to cd's without headaches, consider ANYTHING else. From the beginning of our troubled relationship, this thing has had trouble reading discs, both burned AND store bought. Come to find out the loading mechanism has trouble doing it's job. Eventually it stopped reading EVERY disc I tried. To fix it costs more than a brand Blaupunkt of Alpine receiver. Good thing I can hook up a portable cd player to the AUX input. Seriously, unless you're putting together an impressive system in a Maybach, buy something that costs less that $400

Pros: sound
Cons: Lousy CD transport build, to service support. Cheap AUX in & Sub out wiring.

A few months after I purchased this unit (brand new) it started skipping, and now a few years later the CD transport is useless. They have the WORST service support, having their customers wait endlessly as they connect you from one recorded voice to another. They have a list of service centers, however when you call them they will tell you Nak is no longer supplying service parts or manuals. It sounds great (when it doesnt skip)I have contacted Nakamichi about these issues however they don't seem to care. I digitally master audio for a living, and an avid audiophile. Go with SONY!, they have more experience with CD transports and they don't skip when you make a sharp turn.

By the way 24 bit is DA conversion resolution, so if anyone compares 24bit D/A to 1 bit thinking the higher the resolution/number the better, they are uninformed. All CD D/A conversion is dithered down to 16 bit. Don't listen to reviews/people without knowledge of digital audio. All CD players sound crystal clear, there are many more important factors, unless you're comparing it to a cassette player!

Pros: WOW
Cons: None

Asides from its only competitor (the Nakamichi CD-700) this is one of the greatest CD players ever! Includes a 24-bit DA (Digital to Analog) converter where others only range from 1-8. This one blows Alpine, Infinity, and so on out the hole! So if seeking EXTRA EXTRA CLEAR audio, get this!