Anyone local have the imprint system for tuning newer Alpine head units? I'm thinking about swapping out the factory one for a new head unit and was looking into it.

 

I don't have one, but if you buy from crutchfield they will rent one to you. If you want to do this let me know, I've been thinking about running one on mine. I did buy from crutchfield, so I think I can still get one that way.

 

do you have the 9887?

 

It's $50 on crutchfield...
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500KTX100E/Al...Q.html?tp=27863

I'm surprised the 9887 hasn't been updated yet.. it has been on the market for several years now already...

 

I hope they've improved the technology, I used to have an Alpine PXA-H701 processor, it was pretty useless. This was back in the day when I used to compete with an old car in stereo competitions.

 

yep, I have the 9887. Pretty sure its discontinued, or will be soon. I think it's still pretty good, but they seem to be going a different direction. Mostly IPod controllers as head units.

However, the imprint system is the same for all.

I also have the same thing for my Dennon home stereo. Wonder if that would plug into the car radio? hmmmm...

 

It's not discontinued..... still one of their flagship HU.

http://www.alpine-usa.com/product/view/cda-9887/

I'm debating between the 9887 and the ida-X305s. I think my number one concern is that I'll miss not having a CD player


http://www.alpine-usa.com/product/view/ida-x305s/

 

I bought the CDA-9886. With the noise in the car with the top up or down it is good enough. I really like it!

BTW, I also bought Modifry's control unit and am very happy with both.

 

Not discontinued is good news. The 9887 has some definite advantages over 9886, and the idx... units. However, you do have to amp it, and get good speakers to notice the difference. And if you are listening to your "best of American Idol" CD, it won't matter. Crap in, crap out

I listen to my music loud, probably too loud, but I'm not likely to change now. Things like running an "active" setup and multiple equalizer options on the 9887 are the best reason to get the 87 over the 86. Might surprise you to know that I was actually musically trained as a young person. This has given me a sense of what I want to "hear" from the system. Therefore, I've always thought I could tune it as well as the Imprint, for what I want to hear. That being said, I'd still like to try out the Imprint, as I can always cancel out the setting. Oh, and my understanding is that the 9887 will allow you to store 2 " Imprint tuning curves". I always thought of doing one top up, and one top down. I'm not sure how to do the top down without too much backround noise.

I personally could not give up CDs. I find that some IPOD music downloads fairly "lossless". However, for the most part, I will tell you that I can tell a difference in the fidelity of IPOD vs CDs. So, sometimes, I really prefer to hear the music from the CD. Others may not be able to tell. I think that has to do with your expectations, and sensitivity to what you are looking for.

One thing that is absolutely better on the IDX..'s is the looks. Frankly the 9887/9886 looks plain/boring/old compared. I think some of the IDXs will display album art. Kinda cool.

Good news is if I ever see you again, you can always listen to my setup. But you have to remember, the other big variable is the speakers. A totally different but probably much larger subject. I always go by the rule of thumb: Buy the head unit (reciever/amp) based on specifications and features not on perception of sound, buy speakers on how they sound not on specifications.

 

Couldn't agree more