funkdaddysmack

After a faithful 3 or 4 years of constant use, my Pioneer DEH-3000 is dieing. It will be playing a CD and constantly cut out, sometimes for minutes. All my connections are tip top, it just seems like it stops outputting sound for some reason (except when I press the buttons it still beeps).

So, now I need a new CD Player. Anyone have any recommendations for around $200-$250? I'm planning on running a multi-amp setup eventually if this will affect my choices. Anyone have the newer Pioneer HUs? I love mine so much, I wouldn't mind getting another Pioneer. Single DIN only please, 1.5 and 2x DIN = UGLY, in my opinion. I don't want to have to be looking at that.

Oh yea, where can I buy a good install kit for my '90 323? The one I have now is falling apart, and missing peices Thanks gents!

Maz94Protege

i found that out with my Sony X-Plod headunit. I paid almost $200 last year isntalled in my old Buick. And this past year it jus stoped working...amfm radio crapped out...wouldnt play cds and ****.

It was cheap craftsmanship... and plus its a sony....

that was my exp with that cheap cd player.

now i got a DEH-P7400MP Premier Headunit

JAC

If you plan of running a multiamp system, I'd sugest you get a HU wit 3 pre outs, it will allow you to have fade as well a sub controls right out of the HU.

I believe that alpine's CDA-7893 is more or less what you're looking for and Alpine's quality is top notch.

-JAC-

funkdaddysmack

Thans gentleman, I'll check into that Alpine HU

funkdaddysmack

What do you guys think about this one:

http://www.blaupunktusa.com/receiver...01_austin.html

It a Blaupunkt Austin. It's 25/4 RMS, and has 3 preamp outputs. Also if I order from crutchfield I get a free remote and install kit for my car. I think it was $200 on their site.

onehawaiian

onehawaiian likes blaupunkt. but not the "japanese" looking decks.

blue- those aren't the same remotes as the skylines are they? i love my remote, but i noticed there are other remotes available for other models. for my munchen hu, i like the convenience when i'm driving in heavy traffic.

still a good price for a good hu tho...

funkdaddysmack

Yea, i think it's an ugly *** deck too, but for the price and the options, it can't be beat. the button layout looks like a sony cd player my dad has

Someone please tell me where I can buy the installation kit for my car???

funkdaddysmack

Thanks for the link! Stupid *** me didn't think of looking until I last posted, and then I found the same one. Thanks again! Yea, those prices are definately very reasonable... Makes me want to order and amp now too! hehehe...

pr5owner

DO NOT GET SONY they suck so bad i cna't even begin to explain how much sucking they do...

ANYWAYS

i have a Pioneer DEH-6400 Deck and i couldn't be happier, it works great! if you have the extra money get the 7400 it can play mp3's and it has the built in HPF! definatly a good deal!
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Bmw tech

pr5owner

umm yes i do have factual evidence that sony sucks

#1. i owned a sony CDX CA-750 Deck before it got stolen, it wasn't bad but it had alot of problems, coulnd't read some cdr's properly, once in a while it would read a CDRW. Vol **** broke a couple times (stoped working and then started working).
#2. my friend has 2 xplode 10" subs they dont sound good at all
#3. ive listened to sony coaxial speakers, they sound really bad compared to speakers of the same price, they arent very clear
#4. my friend has a sony xplode amp, it does NOT put out 760w, this is some sort of myth rating, but it was discontinued and he got it at a VERY good price, $150CAD from futureshop
#5. ive seen a sony xplode amp go dead for no apparent reason, was not even being abused, just normal listening.
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LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO

funkdaddysmack

Well, I have had some bad experiences with sony HUs, but they were older models. I had one come in my 323 when I bought it, and it was horrible. It was however pretty old, so I didn't think too much of it. My friend bought a sony cd player a few years ago for his car and returned it to get a pioneer.

Yea, these were older models. My dad had a sony cd player in his truck for a while, but it wasn't in long enough to prove reliable. Right now it's sitting at home somewhere. I'm sure the newer HUs are nicer, and more reliable but the ones I've had experience with weren't too great.

funkdaddysmack

Unfortunately I don't have a best buy within reasonable driving distance from here My roomate from school works at a Best Buy where he lives, though.

I have nothing against sony, at all. I think they are definately one, if not THE best electronics manufacturer in the world. In fact, if there stuff wasn't so expensive (but still quality), I would probably buy all Sony products (with the exception of car audio stuff).

I'll probably be ordering my CD player soon. I'm going to see how long I can go without flipping out.... I'm planning on buying a new (at least new to me) car soon, and I don't want to put too much money into the one I have now just in case... Trying to save for a nice down payment and stuff.

Thanks for all your help guys!

hihoslva

My problems with Sony stuff is mostly through friend's experiences, but still valid reasons.

I've had several buddies who purchased Sony decks, speakers, amps, etc. - and none of it seems to be of great quality. It may not be the most expensive stuff, but as far as speakers and subs, I think Sony car audio is like buying overpriced Jensen stuff. It sounds better than stock, but when you decide to push it to its limits, the stuff just falls flat. The power handling is mediocre. The best description is that the sound is better than stock, but it can't get any louder - distortion sets in at around the same levels.

I haven't played with any Sony decks or amps in a few years - but a few years back, I was not impressed at all. I saw many Sony decks - installed securely - skip like crazy, blow output sections, etc. And the amps seemed quite overrated in terms of power. The stuff just seemed overpriced, all for the Sony nameplate.

I have the same issue with Sony TVs - my buddy has a sweet flat-panel Sony - like a 32" maybe - and the screen is fucked after like 9 months. Like the "alignment" is off or something - there's a bright strip at the top right corner that never goes away.

I think in many other areas, Sony rocks. I like their home stereos, and my CyberShot digital camera is excellent. My only Sony complaints are car audio and TVs.

~HH

funkdaddysmack

I think they are too. I bought a JVC 27" flatscreen a few months ago for cheaper than a WEGA of the same size and less features. Sure, I didn't really want the PIP, but it was still cheaper than the Sony. I believe the picture quality is better on the JVC as well (they were right beside each other in sears when I was looking). Also there was a toshiba 27" flatscreen that had a better picture than the sony did too. I don't think that Sony's are over-rated, it's just they are pretty much used as the standard. Let's face it, they were the first ones to put flat TVs into the mainstream, and today all of the flatscreen TVs even copy off the same design (silver casing, etc.).

My friend just bought a 36" WEGA, and watching it is incredible... But then again I'm more than pleased with my JVC. I wish I could have afforded a larger set, though. Looking at 36" and then comign back to a 27" just isn't fair! (and now I watch my shitty 19" because my nice set isn't at my apartment yet)

Dave Cameron

I try to aviod getting into freys like this but the blood is in the streets- Most of you all know that car audio is a passionate hobby of mine- I often help friends design and install systems. I have a large shop on my property that I use mostly for car audio with room enough for five cars to be worked on at once. And friend uses it as overflow for his shop and his longer term projects and competition vechiles. I used to compete, and am qualified as a judge for IASCA although I do not participate anymore.
First, I think Sony is one of the sharpest business organizations around, and I have had a good deal of their hardware, and still have a two WEGA tvs in the house and I do in general like their stuff. I have enjojed sony ES hardware.
My gripe would be with the car audio, Sony has produced some outstanding stuff, but I do worry about thier general direction.
Most notable to me is that they have ceased the ES line for car audio, which I think is a huge mistake. Pioneer/Premier, Sony/Sony ES in like Honda/Accura, great marketing and one company producing multpule products for different market segments.
The way ES was terminated bothered me, a whimper not a roar on thier parts. If you owned it at the time, your two year warrenty would simply not be honored in year two (that was and is Sony's position). That is not the way customers should be dealt with in my book.
I have since read Sony determined that while upper end car audio was profitable, it was not as profitable as they wanted to be (making money, but not enough?) and they did not care to commit to the advertising and car audio competition that the US market requires ( If you don't know good when you see it, we won't bother?).
The ES systems that I worked with were and are simply top noch.
I like the feature sets of the newest Sony hardware that I have seen, and played with. I am however not as impressed with the specifications of this hardware. Granted to all most of the specificatons are it areas few if anyone will ever truely hear a difference, they are notheless lower than many of thier competitions specfications in the same areas, at the same price points- CD signal to noise ratios of 90 DB compared to Pioneers 94 Db, or Kenwoods 105 DB, or Blaupunkt 108 Db, the use of 2 Volt RCA outs compared to many 5 of 8 volt outputs. None of this makes for a bad unit, but I get the impression they are marginalizing performance for A) flash options, and B) profit margins.
I miss the old stuff. I am addictted to high end audio, so the ES was great stuff to someone like me.
Like I say, I won't trash Sony as bad, or shoddy construction, but I would say they are not on my list of immediate pick vendors for my friends these days.....