Help me pick out a new high end headunit for my e30.

[Jordan]

I have been watching a auction on eBay for a Nakamichi CD700 for the last week. I had planned on buying it but the seller closed/deleted the auction in the last ~2hours.

Now I need to find something else.

I want a very high end deck, and my specific requirements are listed below. Please suggest headunits I may be interested in that fit into those specs. Looking to spend up to $800 or so. Feel free to list units above that cost, as I can likely obtain them well below retail.

Headunits I would like:

Nakamichi CD700
Nakamichi CD700II


Specs any headunit I get must have:

1-2 24bit DAC(s)
>100dB S/N ratio
3 sets of preouts (must be >4volt)
No internal amplifier
Knob based volume control (buttons = no)

Specs any headunit I get should have, but are flexible:

Amber illumination
Aux Input
Analog volume control knob

[mph]

Re: Help me pick out a new high end headunit for my e30.

The Eclipse CD8454 has everything you asked for in the must section except for the 3 sets of preouts. Thats going to be tough to find.

http://www.eclipse-web.com/index_cd.html

[Jordan]

Eclipse headunits are too ugly to be considered IMO. The Eclipse CD8454 also features a internal amplifier.. a big no no.

I need 2 fading preouts, and 1 non fading preout (for subwoofer)

[DEV0 E30]

Not too interested in the higher end Alpine's?

[Jordan]

Not too interested in the higher end Alpine's?

Nothing in Alpines current lineup appeals to me.

[mph]

Eclipse headunits are too ugly to be considered IMO.

I need 2 fading preouts, and 1 non fading preour (for subwoofer)

I would agree they aren't exactly the best looking ones out there, but they can really handle a high end system. I've heard them in cars that have $8,000+ in audio alone.

The car audio place I do misc computer work for sells Eclipse and I almost had them put one in my car. Went for the Alpine instead.

[royalflush313]

Jordan do you care if you buy the deck used or new? If not you should check out (If you haven't already) Elite Car Audio ( http://www.elitecaraudio.com/ ). I see lots of high-end gear go through that place.

[Jordan]

Jordan do you care if you buy the deck used or new? If not you should check out (If you haven't already) Elite Car Audio ( http://www.elitecaraudio.com/ ). I see lots of high-end gear go through that place.

Used is fine, so long as its all in order.

Listings are closed on that site.

[royalflush313]

Jordan do you care if you buy the deck used or new? If not you should check out (If you haven't already) Elite Car Audio ( http://www.elitecaraudio.com/ ). I see lots of high-end gear go through that place.

Used is fine, so long as its all in order.

Listings are closed on that site.

what do you mean closed? You could just put a WTB ad in their classifed and someone might come up with a nice deck.

Also, if you can find one for a good price, there's the Denon DCT-100 ( http://www.audiocubes.com/product_in...roducts_id=717) These come in black w/ amber illumination and would match the Bimmer nicely. I have no experience with such high end gear, and I probably wouldnt even tell the difference haha, but I thought I'd mention it because I saw it at a shop, and 'looked' nice.

:)

[Jordan]

I am familiar with the Denon DCT-100, however its a bit overpriced IMO. For the money I would buy a brand new Nakamichi CD700II. I'm not looking to spend $1500 on a deck tho really, hence why I don't have a new Nakamichi CD700II.

[Mystikal]

Not too interested in the higher end Alpine's?

Nothing in Alpines current lineup appeals to me.

You do know the internal amp in the 9835 can be completely shut off, and sound quality is claimed to be improved. Sharing in case you didn't know, the Alpine site doesn't mention it.

New models are due in a month anyway, I'd hold off buying right now.

[Jordan]

Shut off or not, it is still there. Moreover the 9835 only has a 1bit DAC. Unacceptable.

The only thing Alpine offers right now that is semi-acceptable is the CDA-7990. But retail on that is $3k

[KenC]

Rockford RFX-8250

[Jordan]

Rockford RFX-8250

The Denon DCT-100 with a different name plate on it. Still doesn't do it for me enough to buy it Its only available in a brushed aluminum face plate.. pretty much kills it right there.

[KenC]

Your options are EXTREMELY limited with the analog volume control knob. I know of no others than the ones already listed in this thread.
If you can do without the analog knob, I think the Nak CD-400 would work for you.