I was doing some research and noticed that Pioneer and Alpine have I-pod integration boxes that can directly hook up to the HU and provide control of an Ipod. Which one is better? Which one is easier to use? which one is faster? I need to decide which HU to buy (hopefully within the next 24 hours) so that I can start my stereo install this weekend (figured the long weekend would be perfect). I want to spend around 200 or so for the HU. Which HUs would you recommend? I have done research into the Alpine 9851.

Also would it be better (and cheaper) to use an AUX hookup to drive the IPod? I know that I wont be able to control my Ipod from the HU or factory controls but will this be faster? Any help would be much appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Chirag Patel

 

wow we have a bunch of newbies posting on the junkie's forum today

I had Alpine 7955 before and now I have the Kenwood x889, go with either one in my opinion.

I venture to say that Pioneer sucks. People buy their headunits mainly for the graphics and looks.

 

I wouldn't go as far as that. There are some great pioneer Headunits out there. I would look into thier higher end units, don't get a cheapo headunit. 4v RCA outs usually indicate quality. The DEH-P80MP is very nice.

After having both an Alpine and many high end pioneer units. i would have to admit i prefer the Pioneer UI, but i know from experience that the longevity is somewhat limited; they don't last over five years.

I have the KCA 420i, the Alpine ipod interface with the 9833. it's mind numbingly slow. I would save money and just hard wire the ipod into the Aux. Put that $100 bucks towards a headunit that can be the centerpiece of a great system.

 

I talked to the local car stereo guy and he said that the Pioneer ipod adaptor is faster than the Alpine one. That is one of the main reasons that I want to go with Pioneer. Dont want to go with Kenwood since they dont have a factory ipod adaptor and I dont want to use an Icruze or something like that.

I was looking into the DEH7700MP and the DEH4700MP. I do not need a crazy headunit but just something that will be able to interface with the adaptor, a 4 channel amp, component or coaxial (not sure which one yet) speakers, and a 8" or 10" sub. I really like the DEH7700MP but I think that it may be overkill for what I seek.


Also, what is so good about 4V preouts compared to the 2.2V that are in the DEH7700 and DEH4700MP HUs?


Any opinions would be appreaciated.

 

Actually Kenwood has the KCA-iP500 iPod

 

4 volts provide a bigger better signal. it's the sign of a good headunit. don't skimp here, if you are getting amps get 4 volts.