Hokayyy.

Looking to replace my head unit sometime later this year, and I'm looking for suggestions :) What I want in the head unit is;
- 5V preouts
- 3 pairs of RCA (Front pair, Rear pair, Subwoofer Pair)
- single/double din doesn't worry me
- Aux input for my ipod
- Decent brand

What do you fellas recommend that would suit my criteria? I'm open to suggestions regarding the 5V preouts and my number of preouts, I just want something that will suit my all-speakers-amped system I run at the moment off my Sony MEXR1 DVD unit (which is not a bad head unit for a sony, dare I say it)

I have an Eclipse CD5425 (old series) and it has everyone, one din, 5v outs (Eclipse start at 5v, i think the top is 8v, not sure on that though), 3 outs, HPF & LPF, MP3 etc.. and AUX in BUT the AUX isn't iPod, it's just a 3.5mm jack so it's universal, we use my fiances Nokia N95 and my iRiver MP3 player and I have used a laptop and later it will be for my carpc.

I rate it, is nice. Was around the $350-400 mark new on sale about 2 years ago now.

yeah i would look at the eclipse range
most of the decks have 5v pre-outs
the high class ones have 8v pre-outs
they also sell those ipod connectors, same as what alpine do

eclipse FTW!

running an 'old school' CD8445, nearly just as much goodness as the much hyped CD8455. 8V preouts, all the other stuff :)

Alberts Morley here in WA (http://www.carstereo.com.au/specials.htm) still have the CD5000 (well if its on that page they should have it still) for $499... bargain for what you get (8V preouts) and save some cash in not buying the latest out
(wouldnt think it would cost that much to post to you)

Yeah I don't know about the current Pioneers but the 8650mp has 6.5V outputs.

I remember eclipse had 8V pre outs plus another "spare" pair out of phase that you could use for a massive 16V outputs! Its been so long since I have looked at headunits though:doubt:

lol The decision is rather unanimous! Eclipse it is :D Are there any specific models that people recommend?

depends on budget
but either a CD3000 or CD4000
my old man has a CD4000, ive had abit of a play around with it, its completely different to the alpine decks, takes abit to get used to
but apart from that its a pretty decent deck :D

Eclipse is great for headunits, but also consider Pioneer and Alpine. If you stick to one of these three, your guaranteed a good head unit for the money

Ollie

jvc has a kdpr55 - you can get it for about 400 fitted. i reckon value for money its the best as it has front aux input and also has the ipod cable already attached!

lol The decision is rather unanimous! Eclipse it is :D Are there any specific models that people recommend?

if your budget allows, go the one i've got posted, its like the same price as a CD4000, yet ur getting the model up... and trust me theres a difference with Eclipse between the 2nd top and 3rd top. so best bet is either the 2nd top model or the top, all the others you may as well go another brand to be honest.

if noone around you stocks the CD5000 (last years model), call Alberts here and see if they have any and if they can ship it... you'll be happier, trust me :)