Raptor

Alpine has a great head unit with Bluetooth phone and iPod integrated. Problem is that it looks sooooo Bling. I really like the look of my CDR-220 (withy new face plate) BUT the Alpine functionality is very appealing. The Alpine would be paired with 6.5" speakers and very big amp (replacing CD changer up front).

I already have a non-stock look with side skirts on a white/blue 993 Cab, so it isn't such a huge deal, but is a replacement audio too much?

Any thoughts/experience from the Rennlist audience would be appreciated, as I am on the fence. I realize that I am going to be using it, and other's impressions shouldn't be a factor, but I have tried to be true to the design so far (notwithstanding the aero kit which was on when I bought the car).

Non-mechanical mods: Anterra hollow spoke wheels, split-spoiler (white), bumperttes in white (bumperplugs.com), silver crests (Boothdesign.com for wheels, hood, SW), center console (Bird), auto-up windows, home-link toggle, Gemballa tips, Gemballa aero kit.

allill

Raptor,

Most new decks look "bling" or just plain wack to me. I need a new deck too but won't go for anything that looks like modern boom boxes. Even speaker grilles look crappy. I don't know what cars the manufacturers gear this crap for, it certainly ain't ours.

Kika

the Alpine CDA-9885 has the biolite display, which is what I think you are referring to, the same unit without the display is the CDA-9883, and maybe one or two features less. I had an Alpine in my 911 SC, and it was great, never had a problem with it, and it sounded terrific thorough a Linear Power amp and Boston Acoutics pro speakers. My recommendation is to by the functionality and sound you want and don't sweat the looks.

beers4all

Get a set of supercups and forget about the stereo

Kigiin

They installed yet?

beers4all

Not yet Rob - it's killin me. As luck would have it we got snowed-in last weekend. Aiming for Thursday. The forecast looks good

TYNUSKT

Not too long ago I bought an Alpine DVA9860 off of another Rennlist member and I am having it installed with the following components this weekend.

Alpine KCA-420i (iPOD adapter...the new DVA 9861 doesn't require this)
MB Quart Q216 Signature Speakers
JL Audio Slash Series 300/2 Amp

I ripped out the old stereo in the car a few years ago and haven't had any sort of tunes in the car. I found that I do miss having some music on longer trips and I like this setup.

Tom W

I'll be installing the new Alpine iDA-X001 in a few weeks (I'm first on the list at the shop). It looks a lot less "bling" that most Alpine head units and will work much better with an iPod. I also plan to add the bluetooth to it.

pezza

Becker Becker Becker........have a great range or head units with bluetooth and ipod options, recently purchased a cascade which also has sat nav.

The new models look pretty OEM, like the cdr 220 etc....

Butzi

I looked at their website the other day. Very nice looking units, are they available in the states? The Becker USA website doesn't have much info at all.

faster

Tom, I have been waiting for the release of that dude, please post pics and your thoughts when you get it installed. Thanks

jusafan

Unfortunately, bling seems to be popular with stereos these days. I think Nakamichi has some very good units that are a little more subdued in their look. You might give that a try. BTW, I second TYNUSKT's (nice Avatar) recommendation on the Q216 signatures. They're a little pricey, but the sound is absolutely worth it. Oh, and the speaker grill for the Q216's is flat black and not very flashy. But you'll need an amp to run them properly, so, again, the price could start to rise for your system.

Cheers, and good luck.

Chris

Butzi

No bling, and it's a Blaupunkt (Hamburg MP57), if that matters to anyone:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-x1rDVqe...0&I=023HBURG57

Raptor

Allill - I agree with you, but ...
kika, Tom W, pezza, Jusafan and others - many thanks for taking time to respond. The Becker would be nice because of its roots, but I am going to go with the IDA-X001 with an overkill Alpine PDX 4100 amp (mounted upright in place of CD changer) and Hertz HSK165 speakers (flat black and unobtrusive), with Alpine BT for phone. I am told the X001 unit is not available until April, however. Meanwhile, I'm trying an Alpine 9885. Fortunately, my interior is blue so I guess the blue screen on the X001 will be sorta reasonable. Again, thanks for helping with my dilemma.

allill - nice ride!!! I'll post pix when it's in so you can check out blue-in-blue.

Kika

Raptor,

I would be interested in how you like the Hertz speakers, I am considering the componets either HV or ES for the doors of my coupe. The tweeters come with a nice mount that looks factory.