I was just tooling around Crutchfield's website, and it appears they are now handling the entire Eclipse line. Or, at least, Eclipse is making a line for online vendors.

I didn't spend too much time studying information. I was disappointed www.eclipse-web.com wasn't updated to show the new product.

Quick observations:

1. iPod integration built in.
2. Organic display on top model
3. 8V preamp out gone. Top model has 5V
4. Much simpler/cleaner design

I have mixed feelings about buying a closeout 8445. I like the iPod integration, but I also like the 8V. It will be interesting to see if there's more to the Eclipse line than what Crutchfield has.

Pleas post if you know anything!

 

I'm heavily leaning on the closeout CD8445, local shop has it for $500 installed. I also like the 8V preout idea. iPod integration is horrible. If you enjoy using the iPod at all, you will likely hate the integration. Most integration locks out the iPod so you can't control it from the iPod itself, and the iPod itself is still the fastest way to adjust anything. ALl the integration things are very cumbersome.

BTW - The CD5000 has 8V preouts. CD5000 on Crutchfield

 

Good catch on the 8V Eclipse. I jumped to the top number model, and missed it.

I picked up a new "closeout" 8445 in late December for $315. Your price seems high. I hope for your sake that may leave room for negotiation! I can certainly fax you a receipt for my purchase if it you think it would help your bargaining position.

I would desperately like to provide a review of the h/u. I regret mine is not installed. I've got every component ready to go except speakers. I've settled on Focal K2P's. I'm just trying to put the finance together, and find a decent price. The best I can do is $850 with a corporate discount at Tweeters. I like the fact they're an authorised dealer, but I think I could do better. Can someone hook a bruvva up?

I confess I still have a bit of iPod envy with the new units. I suppose you always want what you don't have! I accept that rationally the rca inputs [standard with the 8445] work about as well. It's not like the S is a car you really want to spend time twiddling knobs in. I intend to have the rca's placed in the vertical storage area between the seats.

If you do a search, you'll find the Eclipse settings for a chap who had his system tuned.

Please let me know how things go with your set-up.

 

^^^ Not sure where you are located, but I swear the K2P's I looked at were $799 at CarToys. I'll stop by tomorrow and confirm. I also want to say that there are actually two different K2P's. One I was told would pair up with my JL Audio 500/5 great, they other one would need more power. Regardless, I'll stop by and confirm it.

As for your head unit, where did you buy it? That's a large price difference, so will definately have to negoitate it with them.

 

Is a 1dB reduction in cable noise (if you have a noise problem) really that important? In a convertible? That's all you get by going to 8v instead of 5v.

Instead of upping the ante on pre-amp output voltages why don't HU and amp manufacturers just put optical outputs in the darn things? Completely eliminates the whole issue of high gain, low gain, and there would be no such thing as picking up noise from running the cable in a "bad" spot. Can't be that expensive, every home stereo on the planet has them and lots of car receivers cost more than your average home receiver.

Just a thought.

 

Porsche has a $10k (at least a few years ago when a friend of a friend bought one) stereo option with optical cabling. Some Eclipse units, like the CD 8053 that I have, allow for balanced lines which eliminates essentially all interference in the car wiring. That said, I have 5V preouts and high end gear, and at any volume that my ears can tolerate I hear absolutely no distortion or noise floor from the wiring. 8V is probably better but 5V on a very good HU is more than adequate for the length of wiring you'd use in an S.

 

Actually, I think one of the Eclipse units does have an optical output. There are a few HU's that do, I think the advent of DVD decoders is what's pushing them into the car audio market.

While the 8V is better than the 5V, the reason I want that head unit is the ability to dial it in more finely than most HU's. With our stock rear speakers, and little to no aftermarket upgrades on them, I'll want to dial them in pretty finely, moreso than just a standard fader would do, so that is the main draw to the CD8445.

I guess the next question is what is the difference between the CD8445 and the CD5000?

 

Sorry I've been away for a bit. I purchased my new 8445 from Stereo Garage, Naples, FL for $339.20. Chris C was the sales guy.

Modifry brings up a good point about spending money on performance. On some rational levels I think I'm nuts for putting money aside for a high end stereo for a noisy convertible. Of course, other people's noise is my vtec symphony. I think it goes to the type of person who buys a S2000. We're just willing to spend the extra dollar to get something special. There's certainly a lot of other cheaper convertible options that are uninspiring to a S2000 owner. That doesn't make them bad cars. Just cars that aren't so desirable to us.

By the way, I highly recommend everyone who hasn't yet been to modifry's site to check it out.

 

Just an FYI, the Eclispe website does reflect the new CD Reciever line, but the downloadable product guides are still the '05 line.

So now I need to decide between the CD8445 and the CD7000 (I love that OLED Display)!