the tuner (radio) on my current deck (JVC KDSX985) has died...(CD player works fine)
can't live without a radio, so i am looking for suggestions for a new one
(new or second hand)..
needs to at least have a seperate subwoofer out
play MP3s
and possibly an AUX input..
want to spend roughly $200-$300
any recommendations, or would you have one that you want to off load??
let me know
cheers

A pioneer 4850 is quite good for that price. Actually even a 3850, as the main difference between the two is that the 3850 has the slot showing, whereas the 4850 has the motorised drop down face to expose the cd loading slot. It all comes down to what you prefer style wise. The 3850, 4850, and 5850 main differences is style.

I'm surprised your radio died, JVC is a good brand. Sure its not the antenna, antenna connections or something? The centre wire of coaxial cables are single core, and if flexed to much can break which means your radio won't work...

you can pick up a pretty good deck for that price range :) I have seen a JVC deck with USB support for around $260. It also plays mp3's :)

To answer your PM, nah i havent bought the deck. I've decided to get something better. I have 3 amps, good speakers and want something decent to connect them up too.

A pioneer 4850 is quite good for that price. Actually even a 3850, as the main difference between the two is that the 3850 has the slot showing, whereas the 4850 has the motorised drop down face to expose the cd loading slot. It all comes down to what you prefer style wise. The 3850, 4850, and 5850 main differences is style.

I'm surprised your radio died, JVC is a good brand. Sure its not the antenna, antenna connections or something? The centre wire of coaxial cables are single core, and if flexed to much can break which means your radio won't work...

i've checked, and double checked cause it P****Ed me off so much, checked all the wiring, the connection, the acutal antenna, the earthing of the antenna etc...
it comes on for 2 seconds then cuts out...nothing, nadda.. even without the engine on, so there is no movement in the car, it still does it... definitely to me, it's the deck!!.. damnit!!!
i've had 3 JVC decks in my lifetime (in different cars).. and this is the first one to die on me!!!

Take a look at panasonic decks, they have alot of features and you can pick them up from under $300.

I got mine with dot matrix display for just under $400 brand new, 3 pre-outs (5volts), aux in and stacker in. Plays mp3 and wma.
They had the non-dot matrix display, but with all the same functional features for just over $300.
Pretty sure there's an even cheaper one out now.

I'm surprised your radio died, JVC is a good brand. Sure its not the antenna, antenna connections or something? The centre wire of coaxial cables are single core, and if flexed to much can break which means your radio won't work...

Im not surprised. We brought a cheaper JVC headunit for my mums birthday, a week later the radio died. Dad checked it throughly, and everything was connected. JB replaced it no problems, but maybe JVC need to fix the radios in their units...

Im not surprised. We brought a cheaper JVC headunit for my mums birthday, a week later the radio died. Dad checked it throughly, and everything was connected. JB replaced it no problems, but maybe JVC need to fix the radios in their units...

i can tell you that this deck was not a cheap one... it was the top of the line in the days
anyways..i'm looking at another JVC deck (with DVD, and a little higher than my budget)
KD-DV7205.. mmmm about $350-$450 off ebay

Not sure about the panasonics, I've heard that some of them can be pretty bad also. Sure they make some good stuff, but they also make some stuff thats absolute crud!

And for tuners, panasonics aren't the best reception wise. Their portable with strong signals get overriden, which basically means that strong signals show up elsewhere on the dial that aren't meant to.

Panasonic TV's and VCR's are a good example of bad tuners also. When the signal is weak the panasonic tuners lose the signal, or the sound goes distorted (the panasonic VCR's were otherwise superior to most others on the market). They make up for it in the higher models with good picture and sound quality.

Hmmm, so if you're in a weak reception area (or not strong if that makes sense) panasonic probably isn't the best choice, but its up to you :)

The JVC tuners for TV's etc however, do hold the signals very well and are able to display weak signals much better, just for comparison. They're probably the best modern tuner available in a TV. For portable radio's Sony are very good (the proper sized portable radios) and their decks are probably the same. Although for Sony the sound doesn't suit some people.

Alberts car stereo Morley have a special on the Eclipse CD4000 if ya want. Normal RRP $499, theyre doing it for $299
http://www.carstereo.com.au/specials.htm


We have scooped an awesome deal from Eclipse on the CD4000 CD Tuner. This unit has AM/FM radio, plays CD/CD-R/CD-RW, MP3 and WMA. Bass/Mid/Trebble control. 3 band Eq. Crossover. 3 pairs RCA 5volt pre outs front, rear and subwoofer. 1 auxiliary input plus 1 aux input-ready. CD Changer ready (2 units), ESN security, remote control included. 3 colour LCD, 5 pattern illumination. E-iSERV connectivity. Full motorized swing face. 200watt built in amplifier!!

i can tell you that this deck was not a cheap one... it was the top of the line in the days
anyways..i'm looking at another JVC deck (with DVD, and a little higher than my budget)
KD-DV7205.. mmmm about $350-$450 off ebay
Did you buy the last one off ebay? Could have well been a refurb. If you didn't then never mind :).

burfadel - Tuner in mine seems fine, though i hardly ever listen to the radio so i wouldn't know what it's like in weak areas.

Alberts car stereo Morley have a special on the Eclipse CD4000 if ya want. Normal RRP $499, theyre doing it for $299
http://www.carstereo.com.au/specials.htm

nice!!... might go have a lookie, awesome features....

Did you buy the last one off ebay? Could have well been a refurb. If you didn't then never mind :).

burfadel - Tuner in mine seems fine, though i hardly ever listen to the radio so i wouldn't know what it's like in weak areas.

not from ebay... bought it from ICE_MAJIK (forum member, in very good condition)

I'd take a look at Alpine units or pioneer if you can't find an Alpine cheap enough :)

The panasonic car tuners may be better! They'd have to be. Yeah the Pioneer or JVC would be my choice, Alpine are a little more expensive in general. Alpine do have some really cheap models but they lack the features that are available in a similar priced Pioneer. So for a cheaper headunit Pioneer are better, but for more expensive ones Alpine are better, in general :)