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I Am Really Confused About What Hu To Get

Discussion in 'General Car Audio Discussions' started by texcon, Apr 16, 2004.

  1. texcon

    texcon Full Member

    So, some of you know about my quest to get a new HU from CAF. Let me say what is confusing me. I read posts about some Alpine HUs sounding "bright and lifeless" and Pioneers sounding "warm and inviting". I hear how time correction is a must and how the bigger the RCA voltage the better (to a point).

    I am on a budget and have seen and heard Alpines and Pioneers. In those audio shops rooms, it's hard to tell the difference between the 2 brands in terms of SQ. Also, I am confused if I really need to get a HU with time correction. I am the only one who rides in my car about 95% of the time, so TC might be a very good thing to have. But not many HUs have this feature, and Pioneers with TC are above the $300 mark.

    Overall, this is my first aftermarket HU in a loooooong time, and the first in this car. I feel as if I need to start with a less expensive unit, like the deh-760 and work my way up so I can enjoy the "journey" of building my audio system. Another part tells me to get the latest and greatest, like the 8600. The difference in price is about $100, which in the grand scheme of things is not too much.

    Anyway, I am confused big time. Please help!
     
    texcon, Apr 16, 2004
    #1
  2. sandt38

    sandt38 Full Member

    Well, I made a post at CAF about part of this, but I will elaborate on the rest here. Everyone who has been around knows I am a proponent of all install, no processing. While it is not a perfect science, I find the outcome more pleasing than an overly processed signal.

    Some say it is impossible to hear an EQed install over an installed install, but I will beg to differ. When we EQ or process a signal in any way, we are creating phasing issues. I have spent some time in minimally EQed systems with time correction however, and I don't really get the feeling of processing creating big issues with SQ. On that note, my preferance is, and I will stick with it, install, install, install... If you are simply unable to correct through install, by all means a TC deck will help.

    I played with the 760 today (the Premier unit of the 7600) and I really like the unit. I seriously only spent 5 minutes with it though, so my experiance is minimal at best, but as close as it is to my 740 I will say it is great. The 740 has provided me with 2 years of listening, and is feature rich. The load times for MP3s are a bit long on the 740 (but not on the 760, it is lightning fast). The PEQ on the 760 is very nice, and no differant than the 740. The display is clearer, and IMHO one of the best out there. Overall I like the 740 and 760 very much. However I am planning on upgrading to the 860 just for the heck of it... It looks great and is very feature rich. I do want to get my hands on it and try it first. I would be glad to leave some input early next week when I do.

    My feeling is, I am glad I got the 740, and not the 840. I just think the options didn't justify the price differance. However, it appears to me that the option differances between the 760 and 860 do justify the differance. However, I do want to play with it a bit before I take the plunge.
     
    sandt38, Apr 16, 2004
    #2
  3. The_Ancient

    The_Ancient Full Member

    if what seth states is true( which I am sure it is) the pioneer would be the one I would go with, the MP3 time was the only thing I did not like about them..... New CD Player might juts be in my Future too
     
    The_Ancient, Apr 16, 2004
    #3
  4. texcon

    texcon Full Member

    Thanks for the insight - it really helps, trust me. geolemon told me in some PMs that the HU is first a source, so I have to decide how many and what kinds of features I want. The 860 and 8600 look wonderful, but I am not sure if I should start off "slowly" and then upgrade as I crave more features. I really like the Alpine 9830 and it is below $250, but for just that *little* bit more (relatively speaking) I could get the Pioneer 8600.

    It's similar to the idea that someone's first car shouldn't be an S500, for instance, but rather something else so they can grow to appreciate such a fine automobile. I am probably just being silly though.
     
    texcon, Apr 16, 2004
    #4
  5. Honest Bob

    Honest Bob Full Member

    Go with the best the first time. I went through the upgrade path, its exciting but way more costly. Save yourself some cash in the long run. ;)
     
    Honest Bob, Apr 16, 2004
    #5
  6. sandt38

    sandt38 Full Member

    Well said.
     
    sandt38, Apr 17, 2004
    #6