New Clarion and Alpine receiver thoughts
#46
Rennlist Member
#47
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
I have to be honest, the PDX amp is about $400, is probably 1/3 the size of that memphis amp and mine is a total of 770 watts. They conservatively list at 600 but they are quite a bit more then that.
#48
Rennlist Member
Who would recommend buying from?
#49
Nordschleife Master
Well i finally got the new iDA-X100 today and just finished installing it. First thoughts are that i LOVE IT! I think it matches the look of the 928 with its single central control **** much like the controls in the 928: big round *****!
Turns out that the included usb link allows for the fully digital communication between the latest ipods and the unit itself. This allows you to see album art on the screen, something that the typical ipod adapter does not.
The illumination in blue and red dosent come out when using the flash but i do really like the way it looks. I am very happy that this unit is mostly black and has darker tones then the typical silver units. This was one of the biggest reasons i wanted to replace my old alpine unit, because it was silver and i think looked like ****!
I checked Crutchfield and they wont be shipping them for another few weeks as this thing has literally just been released.
I will most likely be buying the add on power pack module that bumps up the RMS watts to 45 per channel over the stock 18 and will consider buying what i think could be the best add on, that being the new, as of yet unreleased IMPRINT system that would tune the accoustics to the car.
I should also have the Infinity Basslink early next week and will install that immediately, I think that should give me a really nice upgrade as I really am missing all the low frequencies currently. I may still decide to replace the aftermarket Polk speakers with Q-Line MB Quarts but thats currently out of the budget right now.
PS: If anyone has a line on a used or new central display (just above the radio) for a 90 model please let me know. These alarm or radar diodes look like crap and ive wanted to replace them since the day i bought the thing.
Turns out that the included usb link allows for the fully digital communication between the latest ipods and the unit itself. This allows you to see album art on the screen, something that the typical ipod adapter does not.
The illumination in blue and red dosent come out when using the flash but i do really like the way it looks. I am very happy that this unit is mostly black and has darker tones then the typical silver units. This was one of the biggest reasons i wanted to replace my old alpine unit, because it was silver and i think looked like ****!
I checked Crutchfield and they wont be shipping them for another few weeks as this thing has literally just been released.
I will most likely be buying the add on power pack module that bumps up the RMS watts to 45 per channel over the stock 18 and will consider buying what i think could be the best add on, that being the new, as of yet unreleased IMPRINT system that would tune the accoustics to the car.
I should also have the Infinity Basslink early next week and will install that immediately, I think that should give me a really nice upgrade as I really am missing all the low frequencies currently. I may still decide to replace the aftermarket Polk speakers with Q-Line MB Quarts but thats currently out of the budget right now.
PS: If anyone has a line on a used or new central display (just above the radio) for a 90 model please let me know. These alarm or radar diodes look like crap and ive wanted to replace them since the day i bought the thing.
I will be using this initially as a Sirius radio controller (dash mounted antenna) exclusively and will be deleting the antenna holes on the roof and rear quarter when the car goes to paint.
I will post install pictures as my 1980 interior comes together. I have decided to use Fatmat/Dynamat while I am at it. The numerous head-unit and speaker threads are very helpful. Thanks Ryan and this forum.
Check out my cool red button (nice compliment to the 928 red button):
#50
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
Based on this review, I just picked up the Alpine ida-X300. The screen is not as nice as your unit and it has been discontinued/replaced, but the red button was the clincher for me.
I will be using this initially as a Sirius radio controller (dash mounted antenna) exclusively and will be deleting the antenna holes on the roof and rear quarter when the car goes to paint.
I will post install pictures as my 1980 interior comes together. I have decided to use Fatmat/Dynamat while I am at it. The numerous head-unit and speaker threads are very helpful. Thanks Ryan and this forum.
Check out my cool red button (nice compliment to the 928 red button):
I will be using this initially as a Sirius radio controller (dash mounted antenna) exclusively and will be deleting the antenna holes on the roof and rear quarter when the car goes to paint.
I will post install pictures as my 1980 interior comes together. I have decided to use Fatmat/Dynamat while I am at it. The numerous head-unit and speaker threads are very helpful. Thanks Ryan and this forum.
Check out my cool red button (nice compliment to the 928 red button):
Actually on the IDA X-100 you can change the backlighting from blue to RED. And yes mine was RED when i had it in the car.
I then had a car with the IDA-X-200 with a little better screen than the 300 but not near as nice a display as the 100 and hated it. The 100 had the good stuff.
If i were looking at this again though. I would buy the Clarion FZ-409. Its $150 on Ebay and it looks very low profile! I love it. I didnt like the big round dial on the Alpine but the display was very cool on the IDA-X100.
Ideally, I would love to find a touch screen, and have a Mac mini controlling an onboard computer system, Linked to some type of Google maps turn by turn GPS thats mac based and then i would control all my media via itunes and coverflow via the touch screen. I guess an ipod touch enlarged to 200%-250% would also work for much less money! But they dont make a 200% scale iphone or ipod touch. Actually, the iphone with its SOON to be enabled "tethering" would then give the whole system internet access so it would be online as well.
This is the Clarion that i would settle for in the meantime.
#51
Nordschleife Master
There is a new apple product (I am a HUGE Apple Fan boy as well) coming soon (though maybe still the big event next year or even the end of next year) that is about what you are looking for size wise. Said to be a touch screen product about 2X to 3X the size of the iPhone... That is what I hear anyway and have seen a mock up of it as well and even talked to a guy who's company was contracted to BUILD he mock up... Lets hope it happens!
#53
Nordschleife Master
Michael,
Actually on the IDA X-100 you can change the backlighting from blue to RED. And yes mine was RED when i had it in the car.
I then had a car with the IDA-X-200 with a little better screen than the 300 but not near as nice a display as the 100 and hated it. The 100 had the good stuff.
If i were looking at this again though. I would buy the Clarion FZ-409. Its $150 on Ebay and it looks very low profile! I love it. I didnt like the big round dial on the Alpine but the display was very cool on the IDA-X100.
Ideally, I would love to find a touch screen, and have a Mac mini controlling an onboard computer system, Linked to some type of Google maps turn by turn GPS thats mac based and then i would control all my media via itunes and coverflow via the touch screen. I guess an ipod touch enlarged to 200%-250% would also work for much less money! But they dont make a 200% scale iphone or ipod touch. Actually, the iphone with its SOON to be enabled "tethering" would then give the whole system internet access so it would be online as well.
This is the Clarion that i would settle for in the meantime.
Actually on the IDA X-100 you can change the backlighting from blue to RED. And yes mine was RED when i had it in the car.
I then had a car with the IDA-X-200 with a little better screen than the 300 but not near as nice a display as the 100 and hated it. The 100 had the good stuff.
If i were looking at this again though. I would buy the Clarion FZ-409. Its $150 on Ebay and it looks very low profile! I love it. I didnt like the big round dial on the Alpine but the display was very cool on the IDA-X100.
Ideally, I would love to find a touch screen, and have a Mac mini controlling an onboard computer system, Linked to some type of Google maps turn by turn GPS thats mac based and then i would control all my media via itunes and coverflow via the touch screen. I guess an ipod touch enlarged to 200%-250% would also work for much less money! But they dont make a 200% scale iphone or ipod touch. Actually, the iphone with its SOON to be enabled "tethering" would then give the whole system internet access so it would be online as well.
This is the Clarion that i would settle for in the meantime.
Next up is the amp, sub and speakers. Your alpine amp looks like a winner too. However, since my interior is early, I will have to find something other than the MB Quartz you have.
Not to harp on the superficial, the red button I was referring to is the source button; which is actually red and not back lit that way. I cannot resist red buttons.
#54
Nordschleife Master
#55
Rennlist Member
I have the original-gangsta Alpine IDA-X001. I love the iPod interface, but the FM reception sucks butt and some of the controls and ergonomics are just dumb: you press the Big **** to go to the iPod menu, use the know to scroll to your selection (eg, "Albums"), but then you have to press the "ENTER" button instead of the **** to select it. Why on earth would they make the biggest and most obvious button (the ****) not be the primary selection button?!?!
#56
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
There is a new apple product (I am a HUGE Apple Fan boy as well) coming soon (though maybe still the big event next year or even the end of next year) that is about what you are looking for size wise. Said to be a touch screen product about 2X to 3X the size of the iPhone... That is what I hear anyway and have seen a mock up of it as well and even talked to a guy who's company was contracted to BUILD he mock up... Lets hope it happens!
I have the original-gangsta Alpine IDA-X001. I love the iPod interface, but the FM reception sucks butt and some of the controls and ergonomics are just dumb: you press the Big **** to go to the iPod menu, use the know to scroll to your selection (eg, "Albums"), but then you have to press the "ENTER" button instead of the **** to select it. Why on earth would they make the biggest and most obvious button (the ****) not be the primary selection button?!?!
#58
Nordschleife Master
Ryan,
Not the tablet... as you noted about half that size...or a bit less actually I think. Not positive it will see the light of day but I know much has been invested in it to get it to mock up if not full working prototype stage...
Not the tablet... as you noted about half that size...or a bit less actually I think. Not positive it will see the light of day but I know much has been invested in it to get it to mock up if not full working prototype stage...
#59
Nordschleife Master