Stereo & Electronics - Which CD player to Get? Opinions please.

http://store1.yimg.com/I/discountsonline_1840_35723792

Panasonic CQ-HR1003U 50W x 4 CD Player/Receiver
with Ghost TM Display CQ-HR1003


Product Features
Display Blackout Panel with Touch Sensor Operation
Slim Fit Mount
Double Security
Pre-Amp Outputs, dual outputs (5V/60 ohms)
Non-Fading Subwoofer-Out Yes, 5V high voltage with low impedance of 60 ohms
Music Formats Supported CD/CD-R/CD-RW
Sirius(r) Satellite Ready
4-Channel High Power Amp 50W x 4
MOS-FET Output Stage
Ghost Display with Shutter LCD
Touch Sensor Operation
Jet Black Finish
Spectrum Analyzer
LCD Illumination Color Multi ColorS-HDB (Super High Definition Bass)
CD Changer Control Yes, Track/Disc Scan, Search, Track/Disc Repeat, Random Play
Radio Features Alphatuner V
18 FM and 6 AM presets with preset scan
Auto preset memory with scan
FMO (FM Optimizer), AFE (Adaptive FM Front End), and INQ (Impulse Noise Quieting)
Muting
Attenuator
Bass, Treble, Balance Fader Controls
Multi-stage Noise Shaping 1-bit DAC
3-beam Hologram Pickup
One-chip Digital Circuit
8x Oversampling (Digital Filter)
CD Controls Scan, Search, Repeat and Random Play
Cd Pause
AUX Input
Open Face CD Access
Removable Faceplate
Built-in Quartz Clock
Wireless Remote Control
Speaker Impedance 4-8 ohms
ONE YEAR WARRANTY

or


http://store1.yimg.com/I/discountsonline_1840_31074087

Pyle PLCDCS200 1-1/2 Din AM/FM-MPX Cassette & CD Player w/ Flip Down Face


Product Features
Anti-Theft 1 1 /2 DIN Flip-Down Face Panel
Compact Disc Player
Auto Reverse Cassette Player
Remote Control
PLL Tuning
30 Station Memory: 18FM/12AM
Spectrum Display
DSP Control
Multi-Color Display
Full Logic Cassette Player
ISO DIN Chassis
4 x 50 Watts Max Power
CD-RW Compatible

not deciding just between these too. But what do you think about either of them?
PLL Tuning

http://store1.yimg.com/I/discountsonline_1840_35723792

Panasonic CQ-HR1003U 50W x 4 CD Player/Receiver
with Ghost TM Display CQ-HR1003


Product Features
Display Blackout Panel with Touch Sensor Operation
Slim Fit Mount
Double Security
Pre-Amp Outputs, dual outputs (5V/60 ohms)
Non-Fading Subwoofer-Out Yes, 5V high voltage with low impedance of 60 ohms
Music Formats Supported CD/CD-R/CD-RW
Sirius(r) Satellite Ready
4-Channel High Power Amp 50W x 4
MOS-FET Output Stage
Ghost Display with Shutter LCD
Touch Sensor Operation
Jet Black Finish
Spectrum Analyzer
LCD Illumination Color Multi ColorS-HDB (Super High Definition Bass)
CD Changer Control Yes, Track/Disc Scan, Search, Track/Disc Repeat, Random Play
Radio Features Alphatuner V
18 FM and 6 AM presets with preset scan
Auto preset memory with scan
FMO (FM Optimizer), AFE (Adaptive FM Front End), and INQ (Impulse Noise Quieting)
Muting
Attenuator
Bass, Treble, Balance Fader Controls
Multi-stage Noise Shaping 1-bit DAC
3-beam Hologram Pickup
One-chip Digital Circuit
8x Oversampling (Digital Filter)
CD Controls Scan, Search, Repeat and Random Play
Cd Pause
AUX Input
Open Face CD Access
Removable Faceplate
Built-in Quartz Clock
Wireless Remote Control
Speaker Impedance 4-8 ohms
ONE YEAR WARRANTY

or


http://store1.yimg.com/I/discountsonline_1840_31074087

Pyle PLCDCS200 1-1/2 Din AM/FM-MPX Cassette & CD Player w/ Flip Down Face


Product Features
Anti-Theft 1 1 /2 DIN Flip-Down Face Panel
Compact Disc Player
Auto Reverse Cassette Player
Remote Control
PLL Tuning
30 Station Memory: 18FM/12AM
Spectrum Display
DSP Control
Multi-Color Display
Full Logic Cassette Player
ISO DIN Chassis
4 x 50 Watts Max Power
CD-RW Compatible

not deciding just between these too. But what do you think about either of them?
PLL Tuning
I like the pyle, is it a perfect fit?

I personally would stay away from pyle and panasonic.

How about a nice pioneer DEH-P77DH 229 from http://www.carmedia1.com/
or a pioneer DEH-P47DH for 199

Just a suggestion

I personally would stay away from pyle and panasonic.

why are they cheap quality?

Yep. Not sure what the cost difference is but I would really try to get the pioneer. Ive uninstalled so many panasonics its not even funny. Pyle is even worse.

alpine anything is the best out there if you are willing to spend the well worth it extra money

alpine anything is the best out there if you are willing to spend the well worth it extra money


Well in my experience, I would take a pioneer over an alpine. The alpine i had would cut out and didnt have very good sound quality. The 3 pioneers that i had were good quality and i was very pleased with them. That is just my experience.

STAY AWAY FROM THEM.

Thats all I can say, especially the touch-screen. Let me justify my position:

I've installed over 15 sound systems in my garage, each one using a different HU, and these ranged from MGT's, probes, hondas, toyotas, volvos, and soon I'll be tackling my camaro.

In my former car, I had that exact head-unit (panasonic). The pre-outs are fantastic, and powered my 3 amp setup beautifully. However, the problems list on. I've owned countless HU's, and that specific one skipped more than my very 1st Pioneer 140$ HU I bought 6 years ago. Every bump, railroad track, pull-the-ebrake-and-slide, and even on a slight bump on the highway caused a problem.

Second, the Panasonic has no radio buttons on the screen. To change radio stations, you need to use the remote control.. PITA (at least in my opinion).

Finally, they say 'scratch-resistant panel' and that is a LOAD OF BS. I had mine not 3 months and it had surface scratches like hell. I have a picture of it installed in my old car (I no longer own it) but I am still hunting down filespace since I graduated college and they no longer let graduates use their space. I'll see if I can get it posted, though the pic isn't that great.

Ok, on to the pyle.. or should I say Pile :turd: ?

Luckily, IMO a good head unit isn't hard to come by, and you don't need to spend a lot. Even if you don't think you're going to build a bad-ass system, I'd get one that has 3 sets of pre-amp outputs, and if you are going to put in a subwoofer, I can't stress this enough, make SURE the HU has SEPARATE pre-amp outputs for SUBWOOFER CONTROL, NOT just 'rear pre-amp outputs'

The reason is without true dedicated sub-outs, the bass you hear in your regular speakers is at the same level of your sub, so you can't reduce the bass in your mids-highs to prevent distortion and crank the bass in your woofer at the same time without tweaking the amps them selves. This is not an expensive option at all!

Go with what looks good, but stay away from touch screens and more genericish (ya like that word?) Hu's like lightning audio, pyle, pyramid, etc.

I agree that many Pioneer's kick ass, as do some Alpines, though my friends auto-flip down screen got stuck, Sony ex-plod are another I'd stay way away from, seeing multiple motor burnouts. My personal favorites are Kenwoods and Clarions, but eh. I'd say you're smart for asking and preventing a bad purchase :) :)

Pioneer DEH-P670MP or DEH-P6700MP. The only difference between the 2 is the 670 is the Premier line and the 6700 is the regular radio. The premier difference is that the pre-outs are uped to 8volts vs 4 volts for the 6700.

Can be found on E-bay for around $190-200 new. Retail price is $250.

For the money I don't think any other radio can touch it for the FEATURES it offers.

Hard to wrong with this model

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39752&item=5763127949&rd=1

http://www.cardomain.com/item/PIODEHP6700MP

Pioneer DEH-P670MP or DEH-P6700MP. The only difference between the 2 is the 670 is the Premier line and the 6700 is the regular radio. The premier difference is that the pre-outs are uped to 8volts vs 4 volts for the 6700.

Can be found on E-bay for around $190-200 new. Retail price is $250.

For the money I don't think any other radio can touch it for the FEATURES it offers.

Hard to wrong with this model

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39752&item=5763127949&rd=1

http://www.cardomain.com/item/PIODEHP6700MP

Thats definately a good recommendation. Here's what I picked out for myself:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39752&item=5763706010&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

(or may get)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=50558&item=5764139285&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Rediculous quality of sound, still a damn good price on either.

I put in the new Kenwood CD player this week it also has a G=tek built in it. It sounds good and looks good.

Here is the picture of that touch-screen radio @ 2 months old. Its a crappy pic, but notice the marks on the screen? Thats not dirt or oil, thats actual screen wear.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y123/ultraz28/DCP_1091.jpg

wow. thanks everyone for the feedback!

that definatly makes me rethink my whole decision! i like those two on ebay.

Out of curiosity, will any of those work with the factory option CD changer? and what kinda spacer would one need to get one of them in the dash, cuz, isnt the regular/Monsoon radio kinda big?

Hum, if there's not a spacer available, I suppose it's possible to just make one out of plexiglass - could leave it clear/see-through, could put cathodes behind it, or paint the back-side black.

Just my 2 cents, but, Pyle is generic and you wont be happy with it. The Panasonic, they are ok, but not something I would get. I have never been a big fan of Kenwood, but now I am after installing a Mp922 in my 02 z28. Good thing about the Kenwoods is you can adjust everything to make the monsoon speakers only play mids and highs and use subwoofers for the bass. Made my whole system sound great. Kenwood has a new model that even shows the G force when you hit the gas and a timer built in for around $250 on ebay and has everything you would ever want it to do, even time alignment.

you need a install kit like any other larger than din car stereo. Humount.com has the install kits with any custom lettering you want backlit with leds to mount your stereo for around $60. I haven't tried them, but ordering mine in a few minutes and will do a full write up when it comes. Also, you will need a PAC swi-x if you have steering wheel controls you wnat to keep working like on the stock monsoon.

Out of curiosity, will any of those work with the factory option CD changer? and what kinda spacer would one need to get one of them in the dash, cuz, isnt the regular/Monsoon radio kinda big?

Hum, if there's not a spacer available, I suppose it's possible to just make one out of plexiglass - could leave it clear/see-through, could put cathodes behind it, or paint the back-side black.



No need to make your own. Metra has a kit out thats already made for your car.

I own Alpine but Pioneer gets my vote. My next HU will be a Pioneer.

Pioneer DEH-P670MP or DEH-P6700MP. The only difference between the 2 is the 670 is the Premier line and the 6700 is the regular radio. The premier difference is that the pre-outs are uped to 8volts vs 4 volts for the 6700.

Can be found on E-bay for around $190-200 new. Retail price is $250.

For the money I don't think any other radio can touch it for the FEATURES it offers.

Hard to wrong with this model

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39752&item=5763127949&rd=1

http://www.cardomain.com/item/PIODEHP6700MP

The 670 is $160 + shipping from Ikesound.com...

http://www.ikesound.com/product-product_id/3001

I have the DEH-6400 in my daily driver and I must say for the price you can't beat Pioneers HU's. The functionality, the appearance, and the simplicity are great for what you pay for them.

I own Alpine but Pioneer gets my vote. My next HU will be a Pioneer.


There you go. Great advice :cheers:

id have to agree, get pioneer, alpine, and even JVC.

stay away from some Sonys, Pile, panasonic,