I'm finally thinking about upgrading my stereo (I've used it for maybe 3 hours total over 8k miles). I don't want to blow tons of money on a stereo like I have with my two previous cars, but need something that I can actually hear.

Can someone please recommend head unit for me, as well as where to buy it?

What I'm looking for in features:
- as inexpensive as possible
- compabile with modfry or other dash control kit
- high voltage RCA outputs
- no car modifications to install
- RCA input would be nice
- CD player and radio (24bit DAC would be nice, but definitely not a requirement)

What I don't care about:
- What it looks like. It can have a black face, no colors, and no buttons.
- Onboard amp. I'll go with a separate amp to power my speakers
- XM compatibility
- Fancy sound processing controls

This head unit will go with a basic 2-channel amp to power some basic coaxials (too lazy to install components). I don't plan to put in a sub. My bass days are over

Like the rest of my installs, I'm doing this myself.

Thanks!!

 

alas, these days you have to pay extra for features like plain black,
no onboard amp, etc.
nakamichi cd400 is simple black, no DSP, 4v preouts, decent DAC, $300-350
(I have one of these and I'm happy with it).
eclipse cd2000 is cheap (< $200) and has 5v preouts; higher-end eclipse
has 8v preouts. (no experience with them though).
some pioneer premier have 5v preouts & BB 24bit DACs (again no
personal experience)
many people on this board love their alpines.
all of the above should be compatible with modifry's DCI, at least the IR
version, though of course confirm the specifics before purchasing.

 

Cheap 24 bit DAC is not going to happen.

Blaupunkt has 5V preouts

(again, we went over this MANY times....) having high voltage pre-outs SOMETIMES helps, most of the time, it hurts. If you have a 5V preout headunit, and a 2V in amp, you are actually LOSING SQ, since the signal needs to be dumbed down to proper voltage. Dont "listen to numbers"

Eclipse and Clarions both have 4V on certain models.

I have a 2V alpine, and I have yet to hear a better sounding system than mine, many of which have higher end gear. (Not sounding conceited....Im sure there are members here that have WAY better systems than myself, I just havent heard any)

 

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm going shopping this weekend.

 

Check out the Eclipse 8445:

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseac...1&category_id=8

It's a year old model, but a good value. This deck originally sold for $600 plus.

 

have you looked at the pioneer premier deh-p880prs? clean simple look w/ 5v preouts.