I am planning on upgrading the entire sound system in my 06 S.

I have seen a lot of reccomentations for the alpine 9857, however, I really dont want or need a cd player. Are there HU's out there with just radio and aux (for ipod)

I think spending $275 (price of 9857 per pricegrabber.com) is too much to pay for a cd player that I will never use...

So basically, i am looking for a cheaper HU with good radio and aux quality... or is it possible to do a direct feed to the stereo and skip the aux since a lot of ipoddy devices have fm now...

and i am thinking i may not even need the dash controls if i can control tracks and radio settings on my ippody/zune device. however, I am a little worried that the radio may suck for these devices...

I will be getting the speakers, sub, and amp all from JL audio. (i am getting hooked up)...

 

The great thing about the 9857 and 9856 is the fullspeed iPod. If you are replacing the HU, don't go for a FM modulator for the iPod, get one with Aux inputs or the fullspeed iPod connection.

Aux inputs = ipod control through the ipod itself, fullspeed ipod = control through the deck, not the ipod itself.

You can get many other HUs with ipod interfaces but none are as good as the Alpine fullspeed currently, unless something new has come out.

If you get the 9857 or 9856 so you have the fullspeed ipod, get the DCI. Also makes volume adjustment easier (no need to open the door) and will pause the ipod with the MUTE key and if it's a modifry then you can do speed controlled volume to slightly increase/decrease volume with speed. If you go 9857 get the wired DCI otherwise IR model.

Hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the info. I did not know there was a "fullspeed" vs aux input...

how is the fullspeed??? i really like the interface on the ipod itself, the way it scrolls and organizes things... is the fullspeed a lot better?
also, i like that it has a long wire so i can hold the ipod in my hand...and control it (i dont like reaching to change songs cuz i am a lazy sack).

 

The fullspeed is good. I like hte ipod interface as well but I have the ipod mounted completely out of sight and never touch it. The fullspeed charges the ipod whenever the car is running also (it also leaves it on when you shutdown the car which can drain the ipod battery some). I like it because I never have to touch the ipod, in my install since i have a DCI I just leave it in Mix ALL mode and hit the Mode button on the dash to get to the next track.

If you really want the ipod interface, go with an aux input instead. I don't mind using the HU and like that I never have to reach for the ipod, just move my left hand a few inches.

 

Fullspeed is 100% pure signal, while AUX would be much worse in terms of sound quality. Headunits that DO NOT play CDs are usually in the $800 dollar range, as they are used for very different things. Your best bet would be to get a 9856/57 on ebay, or even PM Darkknight1999 and see what he can do. You will be able to control your IPOD though the headunit, and never touch the IPOD.

 

besides, if you've ever priced a cd drive for your computer, or a
portable cd player, you'd realize you aren't paying for obsolete
technology, they're throwing it in for free.

 

Press the reset button on your brain now.

An AUX input is a direct feed. FM input is about as indirect as you can get. The signal has to be modulated into FM, transmitted, received, demodulated and then played as a radio station. The loss of sound quality is very apparent.

Plus, if you use on of the devices that use the iPod's power it has a battery life of 3.5 minutes and piss weak signal strength.

Use an AUX input if you like the iPod interface. Or look at something like the Harmon Kardon unit with a jog wheel and screen.

http://www.harmankardon.com/drive-1/Default.aspx

 

You are 95% right. AUX is *usually* a direct feed. However, 95% of the time, Aux on IPODS is NOT direct feed.

Most AUX connections for IPODS plug into the headphone jack of the IPOD. This is NOT raw sound. It is processed by the IPOD, then again by the headunit, thus degrading sound quality. Direct feed, would be from the BOTTOM connection of the IPOD, to an AUX connection.

 

I think what trainwreck may have been talking about was not
using an FM modulator, but rather plugging an MP3 player with
a built-in FM tuner directly into an amplifier, skipping the headunit
completely, which I have heard of people doing, esp. in their
classic cars where they don't want a modern headunit.

 

Oth: He actually said HU with aux...