Sorry for being a new thread monkey lately.. but I appreciate the advice.

I've been offered a cheap 2nd hand VDO-Dayton CD-2803 (Exclusive line)

Page is http://www.vdodayton.com/index2_and_fznid=6_and_cnn=CD_2803_and_color=red_a nd_status=n4.aspx

Specs are:

The VDO Dayton Exclusive Line is truly state-of-the-art with credentials to match: multicolour LCD display, CD MP3 player, Direct Presets, AUX in, Software Access Menu (SAM), 4 x 55 watts and Bass Boost are by no means all these systems have to offer. Which makes the VDO Dayton Exclusive Line the perfect combination of form and function.

http://www.vdodayton.com/image_view.aspx?id=4863

Highlights http://www.vdodayton.com/xt_img/space.gif http://www.vdodayton.com/xt_img/bullet.gif RDS Tuner http://www.vdodayton.com/xt_img/space.gif http://www.vdodayton.com/xt_img/bullet.gif CD MP3 Player http://www.vdodayton.com/xt_img/space.gif http://www.vdodayton.com/xt_img/bullet.gif Soft-Take-In CD Player http://www.vdodayton.com/xt_img/space.gif http://www.vdodayton.com/xt_img/bullet.gif CD-Changer Control http://www.vdodayton.com/xt_img/space.gif http://www.vdodayton.com/xt_img/bullet.gif 4 x 55 Watts (Max. Power) http://www.vdodayton.com/xt_img/space.gif http://www.vdodayton.com/xt_img/bullet.gif 4-Channel 4V Preamp Out http://www.vdodayton.com/xt_img/space.gif http://www.vdodayton.com/xt_img/bullet.gif 3D Surround Sound http://www.vdodayton.com/xt_img/space.gif http://www.vdodayton.com/xt_img/bullet.gif Preset Buttons http://www.vdodayton.com/xt_img/space.gif http://www.vdodayton.com/xt_img/bullet.gif Bass Boost System (BBS) http://www.vdodayton.com/xt_img/space.gif http://www.vdodayton.com/xt_img/bullet.gif Handsfree Phone In http://www.vdodayton.com/xt_img/space.gif http://www.vdodayton.com/xt_img/bullet.gif Speed Dependent Volume Control (SDVC) http://www.vdodayton.com/xt_img/space.gif http://www.vdodayton.com/xt_img/bullet.gif Software Access Menu (SAM) http://www.vdodayton.com/xt_img/space.gif http://www.vdodayton.com/xt_img/bullet.gif IR Credit Card Remote Control included (CA 1103) http://www.vdodayton.com/xt_img/space.gif
Options http://www.vdodayton.com/xt_img/space.gif http://www.vdodayton.com/xt_img/bullet.gif Steering Wheel Remote Control (RCS 5100) (http://www.vdodayton.com/index2_and_fznid=6_and_cnid=610_and_color=red_and_ status=n4.aspx) http://www.vdodayton.com/xt_img/space.gif http://www.vdodayton.com/xt_img/bullet.gif Handsfree Phone Kit
The best bits sound like the AUX in and 4 channel output. Sounds perfect for what I'd like to do (amp, splits in the front, sub in the back).

Any input before I put down cash?

JVC KD G615 has juist as good specs and you can pic one up Brand new for $299..
I love mine as it is MP3/WMA and has a Sub out and Aux in right on the Face plate and has a remote..

Unless you can see this head unit actually working, save the money and Buy Brand new..

I had the 2703. Was very happy with it. It doesnt have RCAs on the back, but has a cable which pulgs in to the back of the head unit which RCA termainals on the other end.
A great unit though with plenty of bass and easy to use. I got mine for $400 on special with the remote.
Pete

JVC KD G615 has juist as good specs and you can pic one up Brand new for $299..
I love mine as it is MP3/WMA and has a Sub out and Aux in right on the Face plate and has a remote..

Unless you can see this head unit actually working, save the money and Buy Brand new..
I can test it out and bring it back if it doesn't. It will be sub $200..

Also your G615 has 2.5V Lineout as opposed to 4v, it's also 50w max vs 55w but jvc don't mention the RMS value


I had the 2703. Was very happy with it. It doesnt have RCAs on the back, but has a cable which pulgs in to the back of the head unit which RCA termainals on the other end.
A great unit though with plenty of bass and easy to use. I got mine for $400 on special with the remote.
Pete
Great.. any idea where to source the cable from? Won't be an immediate concern for me as I'll be hooking it up to the stock speakers until I can afford better + amp (don't cringe).

It has 2.5 Volt for the Fronts and Rears and 2Volt for the Sub out

As for the 50W x 4 it is 19W RMS per channel..

The 50W x4 isn't going to bother you if you are amping it all up.. It is the RCA Voltage that Counts.. I agree 4 Volt is better, but The JVC will give you more control over your Whole system as the Crossover and Gains for the Sub can be set from the deck.. No more messing around in the boot..

I would always go for a Headunit with Sub out over one with higher RCA voltage as I have been down that path before.. Sub out is essential for me now.. My last 3 Decks have all had Sub outs.. I used to have a VDO Dayton CD3300, but lost the Clips with the RCA's on it..

The 50W x4 isn't going to bother you if you are amping it all up.. It is the RCA Voltage that Counts.. I agree 4 Volt is better, but The JVC will give you more control over your Whole system as the Crossover and Gains for the Sub can be set from the deck.. No more messing around in the boot.. Ok, I'll take that into consideration, thanks.


I would always go for a Headunit with Sub out over one with higher RCA voltage as I have been down that path before.. Sub out is essential for me now.. My last 3 Decks have all had Sub outs.. I used to have a VDO Dayton CD3300, but lost the Clips with the RCA's on it.. What's the advantage of sub out? Can't you just adjust the HU's eq to suit? Or if your HU doesn't have sub out do you need a seperate crossover / something else to run your sub (off the amp)

With Sub out you can drop your rear stage out all together and keep your subs pumping and when you have passengers in the back you can fade the rears in as so not to deafen them..
It is also handy for when you are Cruising, you can fool the cars next you by just pumping your 6x9's and Fronts , then blow them away when you fade in the subs!!!!

When you listen to R&B you can set the crossover to only play Frequencies below 40hz for Big boom and when playing Dance set the Crossover to send the Sub Frequencies of 80Hz and above for more Kick..

Sometimes a Sub can be annoying to listen to when playing Overly Bassy music , with a Deck with sub out you can Turn the sub off from the Deck.... Can't do that with a Headunit that only has Front and Rear RCA's...

Sub out/ remote bass control is very important if you have a sub.
Allows you to turn the sub up and down accordingly.

VDO - Dayton have a good reputation, i've never heard their stuff. Seen a few at autobarn i think.

Peace

Tim

i've had one of there older decks, and it went real loud for 4x40.
not so much it went louder but you didn't get the normal distorion like when crackin other H/U's
thats cos they run some form of clipping compression (not sure if it's still used in the newer deck) but i was told that (by a reputalbe pirvately own'd audio dealer) that only them and some Alpine units were runnin it, and outta the decks he had it was the VDo's he was recommending and sellin mostly.

VDO - expensive philips... but they do have some cool options

I can test it out and bring it back if it doesn't. It will be sub $200..

Also your G615 has 2.5V Lineout as opposed to 4v, it's also 50w max vs 55w but jvc don't mention the RMS value

Great.. any idea where to source the cable from? Won't be an immediate concern for me as I'll be hooking it up to the stock speakers until I can afford better + amp (don't cringe).

The cable came with the HU.

Yeah like everyone else said, get a HU with sub control if you can (if your gonna get a sub that is!)
Ive now got the JVC KD-LH300 in the magna (VDO stayed in the Skyline when I sold it) as I wanted the sub control. I love the JVC, you can fiddle with everything and have total control! Cost me $400 (RRP $600 but JB-HiFi have awesome specials!!)

Cheers
Pete

Well, the sub out seems to be a nice function. I had a demo in a friends car last night.

It's nice to be able to fade the sub in/out of the soundstage seperately.. particularly if your other speakers already have fairly good low frequency response.

But as man on a budget.. I may have to do without it.. Instead of the sub I might just replace the crappy rear shelf speakers with some decent 6x9's. At a later date I can always keep the amp + fronts, upgrade the HU and add a sub without too much trouble.

Not really a fan of the 6x9's I've seen, particularly as sub replacements.. but it's better then spending too little on a setup and having it sound worse.

Save the extra $100 and go for the JVC.. Flashing lights on a headunit wont make it sound any better..You said it was going to cost you $200 second hand, with the Extra $100 you can go Brand New and get Warranty !!

Save the extra $100 and go for the JVC.. Flashing lights on a headunit wont make it sound any better..You said it was going to cost you $200 second hand, with the Extra $100 you can go Brand New and get Warranty !!
Well I might have to now.. sounds like the thing got sold without warning..

I'm still not that hot on the JVC, I prefer the credit card remotes to it's kind.

But I will endevour to look for a stereo with sub out :P

The remote is a bonus, I mean how many times would you use it ?? Not unless you were hanging outside your ride with the doors open...

Check Alpine as I am sure most of them have a Sub out option, Premuim Sony Head units have Sub out, But expect to pay the other side of $700 for one...
Pioneer offer Sub out on their Premuim Decks, the ones that cost $500 or so only have a Selectable Sub out and not a True Sub out....

JVC have the most Feature Packed Headunit for the price..

But check out all your options and choose the deck that is best going to suite your needs and desires...