Sorry about the long string of questions...just went to Autobarn - and saw a Clarion DXZ846MC - looks and feels very nice.

However only a 2 band paramteric equalizer and no time alignment feature.

What I really like about it is that it lloks GREAT and you can change colour to match your car - not a big fan of Pioneer's blue and orange lighting...

Specification wise (in ability to fine tune sound) I think the Pioneer wins but damn the Clarion looks nice.

Just wondering if anyone got any expereince with this Clarion unit (it also has a built in hard disc - which IMO is not really useful)

I "compromised" and am picking up a brand new Clarion DXZ946mp at a nice price of $500 :) .

Specifications as follows:
Motorised Detachable Control Panel
• Plays CD-R & CD-RW
• Plays MP3 and WMA Encoded CDs
• Optimedia Display
• Touch Panel Control
• 16 Gradation Full Dot LCD
• AC Processor III with Anti-Distortion Filter
• Dolby Pro Logic II
• CeNET Control of: Optional Dolby Digital/ dts 5.1ch Processor, TV Tuner, DVD Changer
and 6-Disc CD Changer
• CD Text, CD Titling, Station Titling
• IR Remote Control
• 24-Bit D/A Converter
• 3-Band 1/3 Octave Parametric EQ
• Built-in DSP for Time Alignment, Seat Position,
Virtual Space Enhancer
• 4-Volt/6ch Gold Plated RCA Line Level Output
• 2ch AUX Input
• Built-in adjustable High Pass Crossovers for Front/ Rear/Centre Channels: through/50Hz/80Hz/120Hz
• Built-in adjustable Low Pass Crossover with
Subwoofer Volume Control: 50Hz/80Hz/120Hz
• 2 Zone Control with Dedicated RCA Line Level Output
• Adjustable Display Contrast
• 212W (53W x 4)
• 18FM/6AM Presets
• Screen Saver With User-Programmable Message Information
• Detachable Control Panel with Blinking LED for Anti-Theft
• Rotary Volume Control
• Aluminium Faceplate
• Built-In Amplifier Bypass Circuit

I'm not a fan of monochromatic or blue displays but I guess I can live with this one as opposed to the Pionner DEH-P1Y which I wouldn't be able to live with (red dials clashes horribly with bright blue stereo) and Clarion just have a nice feel to them.

can we get some pics of this blingy headunit now? :D

Just a pic of the internet...too large to paste so here is the link

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-WGjr1gtT8Vu/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=62700&id=morephotos&pi=2&i=020DXZ945&display=XL#Tab

That's $500 USD...do you live in the U.S?

You are buying through Crutchfield????
import tax will be bad..

If that head unit does not make you happy.. Nothing will.. Nice choice..

No I am not buying from Crutchfield I am buying from a shop in Sydney - so I get an Australian warranty - and it is AUS $500 - they misadvertised it... They meant to have it at $599 which I think is still a good price, but they said since they had advertised it at $499 I could have it at that price (+$30 postage to Melbourne). :D

sounds like a sweet deal...

Clarions aussie website is down till August.. Bummer