firefly

Any one have experience with them? I am thinking about getting a HU but I don't like most of the ones out there except the Nakamichi. I like the simple look and they're suppose to be top notch in terms of SQ. But I heard some of the earlier models are not very reliable. I'm looking at the CD-40z with amber backlighting. Any comments?

Dave Cameron

Nakamichi make first rate hardware. You would not be disappointed in one. The rave review go to the CD700 which is the top of the line, and cost it. The 35-40-45 are all fine units and compare with most other units in that price range.
Truth be known, it is impossible to descern any reall difference between two CD units if set up exactly the same. CD units outperform our ears, with great 20-20,000 frequeny response, 90+ DB of channel seperation, and at least 95DB of Signal to Noise.
Headunits can be bought sound unheard based on feature sets and looks, so if the Nakamichi appeals go for it! It would be an outstanding start to any audio chain (Headunit, amp, speakers).

Huey

Nakamichi decks are nice looking decks (IMHO) & are supposed to have good SQ. In fact, I was about to get one for my car as well until I compared the amber lighting to the dark orange dash lighting of my car & reallized that it didn't match. Stuff like that just picks me. Like Dave said, there have been some reliability issues & some of them are a little picky reading CD-R's.

firefly

That's what I'm concerned about as I heard they have some issues with CDRs. Also the disc eject mechanism seems to get stuck when it gets cold. I've been looking at other HUs out there and none of them appeals. Personally I don't like flashy HUs and it seems that all the money are spent on the display and motorized flips while the internals are more or less the same as the lower models. Ok...maybe there is one other HU I like but at over 1k I'm not too sure....it's the Becker CD Pro...and I think it matches the interior quite well too!

Aydu

Are there any after market HUs that match the red interior lighting of the 2002 Pro ES. I'm sticking with the stock hu just because I don't want to give up the nice appearance of the interior at night. I know I would get more flexiblity and better sound with an after market unit, but oh that beautiful red glow of the stock unit!!

doctor_r

Didn't Rockford used to make Nackamichi HU's or was it the other way around????

Mac Daddy

email me, I got a couple of Nakamichi units that will let go cheap. Also got the in-dash changers.

firefly

What's your email? The one in your profile doesn't work.

Mac Daddy

rzr669@aol.com

hihoslva

Plenty will match well. Rockfords, Kenwoods (with the switchable button illumination - and some models have a color-shifting display with a nice amber or red to choose), some Balupunkts - basically, any deck that has red illumination.

Finding an ALL red one might be tougher, but I think Rockford's come pretty close (red and white) and some Sony's (ouch, sorry).

I was worried about illumination also - I have Kenwood 8017 - matches pretty well. Whan I eventually change it out, I have decided that I just DO NOT want green lighting. I think anything but green will match/complement the interior just fine.

Sweedenhouse

How come nobody ever mentions Eclipse? They are the ****** hypest head unit out there. Nobody hardly ever talks about those *******. They look killer, have exceptionally sound quality, and kick *** reliability. I have the in dash 6 disc changer myself, and it is the freshest CD plauer I've ever had. Nak is nice, but I would take Eclipse any day.

hihoslva

Agreed - Eclipse is often overlooked, and is definitely a high-end deck maunfacturer. I've heard nothing but good things, other than maybe the prices. But hey, you often DO get wht you pay for.

Oh, and another amber deck - there is a newer line of Alpine decks that have either green or amber button illumination. Alpine definitely makes quality stuff, too.

Dave Cameron

Eclipse is good stuff, and the headunits do very well. They had a rap about two years back for higher than industry standard DOA rates, but not a peep on that in the last year. A big reason that you don't hear about them too much is that like a few other companies, they try to control the sales channel of their hardware. Not many authorized dealers on the internet, like none! Good number of grey market units on E-Bay.
Very fine stuff.

HubbMP5

a little off the posted Q, but going with the high end discussion... I was at a local premium electronics store and was looking at some install pix they had on the wall. They did a blue Lamborghini Diablo Roadster with all McIntosh components. I had never heard of them before... are they the bopmb-*** ****, or what? Considering the application, I'd have to assume so.

JJB

I have only heard of McIntosh components used in cars as an OEM installation by some of the really high end car manufacturers... when it comes to their home stuff McIntosh is at the very top of the price range... but also at the very very top of performance. Their amplifiers are absolutely spectacular.