Hey guys,

Time has come to upgrade and toss the Sony Xplod where it belongs (the bin)

Basically I wanted to know what you would recommend as far as head units go.

What I want in it:
- single din preferably
- time alignment functionality/advanced speaker adjustment eq/crossover capabilities that will output that signal to individual pre-outs as I want to run all the speakers off amps
- Ipod connectivity with Ipod dock cable (not 3.5mm AUX)

I'm not interested in DVD playback or GPS functions would like to keep it simple and just play music.

I have heard good things about Alpine models like the CDA-9887 but I wanted to know if there was something newer and better now or if this was still a good model.

Also would that model do time alignment, eq etc on the preout signal?

Open for all suggestions so give me your opinion/recommendation.

Ps. I do have a budget of around $500

Looks like Alpine have got newer stuff out.

Say if I was to get an iDA-X303 LINK (http://www.alpine.com.au/showItem.php?item_id=38) would it be good to get the PXA-H100 paired with it to do advanced setup stuff?

So on Alpines newer stuff you do need the extra PXA-H100 to do the time alignment etc so I would need that regardless

If the PXA-H100 handles the processing and output would that mean theres no point in getting a higher end head unit with a better preamp section?

can't go past alpine, I got a CDA-117E, I love that headunit made by alpine as the features are lovely and its nice having a bit of a bigger screen and easier to navigate, personal taste really, the CDA-9887 has been a favoured for money against productivity, haven't looked much at the newer of alpine products, but those are favoured and are reliable, very reliable.

that iDA-X303 to me looks very odd design, but always, personal taste as well for what you want it for, thats my opinion really.

From what I hear aroundthe traps, the older alpine, last models, are better than this years, the 9887 over the 117 whatever the numbers are, I got the jvc926, it would be the shizzle If I had an Iphone, but with android, it sucks majorly. Plus my EQ is crap, but I have a plan.
As for running speakers off each channel, do you want an active setup?

From what I hear aroundthe traps, the older alpine, last models, are better than this years, the 9887 over the 117 whatever the numbers are, I got the jvc926, it would be the shizzle If I had an Iphone, but with android, it sucks majorly. Plus my EQ is crap, but I have a plan.
As for running speakers off each channel, do you want an active setup?

Yeah I plan on running fully active, wont be using a rear channel though just the splits up front and subs

yeah I just found out recently that my rear right speaker is dead, tested connections and it's gone sadly, so I am not sure what I am to do next, I do like having a more surround sound, can fit any type of speaker as its not a restricted base, just a carpet material stock thing like at the moment, but want to build a solid floor for speakers to sit on, like TUFFTR did but not stand them up so high.

Cant go past the 9887 for a completely adjustable SQ setup mate. Little bit old but amazing by todays standards. Either that or a newer one with a H series processor

The Alpine 9887 is a fantastic headunit, if you can find one i would snap it up within a second, the down side is they are discontinued.

So you will have to look for a 2nd hand or an Ex Demo unit, for the ex demo you could ring around a few JB Hi Fi's and see if they have some and you should be able to pick one up for $300-$400 2nd hand.

Otherwise.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ALPINE-CDA-9887-CAR-STEREO-IPOD-USB-HEADUNIT-RECEIVER-/180571255440?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a0ae2b290

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Alpine-CDA-9887-MP3-USB-Receiver-KCE-422i-iPod-Cable-/260819495268?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cba0da964

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Alpine-CDA-9887-Head-Unit-CD-Media-Player-Mp3-ipod-/170442965777?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27af314311