I'm considering getting the Alpine CDA-7863 headunit for my S2K and I was just wondering if anybody here has this headunit and if so, do you like it? I'm pretty set on getting an Alpine headunit because I have an Alpine CHA-1214 12-disc changer laying around that I'd like to install also. So if anybody has any input on this headunit, I'd like to hear it. Thanks!

 

I am not sure about the CDA-7863, but I have just put in the CDA-7873R and it is superb.

Where are you going to mount the 12 disk auto-changer? I am not sure whether to go for the 6 disk changer and put it under the passenger seat (on the left of the car in UK - so more space and flatter area to work in than your passenger seat) or have the conveniene of the 12 disk changer, but loose storage space

 

I just put in the CDA-7876. I think the CDA-7863 is last year's model and quite similar to the CDA-7876. Both have Bass Engine Plus, tilt head and "60 watts x 4" (twentysome watts rms/channel). The CDA-7876 has a choice of colors for the buttons: Alpine Green or Honda Amber. I prefer the Alpine Green so if the CDA-7863 lacks it, no worries mate.

The power is amazing. We did wire the head's power cord to the battery rather than to the Honda wiring harness. Of course we also put a substantial cable in for ground rather than use the wiring harness's ground. I'm not sure it made a difference, but Alpine recommends it and it couldn't hurt. I'm supplying Kenwood KFC xr600 speakers which are pretty efficient on their own. It might not be enough power for less efficient speakers or for separates. It is the most power you'll get without a separate amp.

I've got the "mute" button working with $4 of Radio Shack parts. I'm waiting for my PAC controller. I'm sure Pinky would do a nice install on the Alpine harness too.

Check out CDA-7863 reviews here:
http://sharky.buybuddy.com/sleuth/8/1/7020101/450813/

I hope this helps.

Barry

 

The owner's manuals to the current Alpine CD head units are here
https://www.idrive.com/s2000online/files/Shared/
I didn't see the CDA-7863 there, so I think Barry is right about it being a previous year's model.

Be prepared to lose the Dash Controls, though, unless you order from Pinky or get a PAC device.

 

Well, yesterday I got the "mute" dash switch to cause the CDA-7876 to "interrupt" using a $2.50 Radio Shack relay. Today, I wired up the $49 PAC SWI-3 so that the "mode" button changes the Alpine's source (tuner vs cd) and the "Ch" button either advances the CD one track or scans the radio to the next strong enough station. Volume up and down cause the volume to go up and down.

I like the PAC unit. After all my whining and searching for a hard wired solution, I really like the PAC. I don't notice any lag at all. I put the PAC's LED right next to the Alpine's IR receiver.

I brought the PAC out into the passenger footwell and into the end of the net nearest the firewall. I can reprogram the PAC without any disassembly. I brought it out through the false speaker cover at the left of the passenger's knee.

The Alpine rep stopped by my stereo shop today and said that the "60 x 4" watt Alpines put out 27 watts rms/channel. Pretty darned good.

Barry