HU thoughts? Stock/fix current/other?

[gearheadE30]

My E30 currently has an Alpine CDM7874 with the optional aux in, but the backlights on the faceplate have all burned out, and I'm really wanting something a little more subtle.

The car has factory premium audio with the amp bypassed. No sub, and no plans for one. Too many other car projects calling my name for me to have money to do that right.

My needs are that it must fit the dash well. No flashy colors, must have red/amber backlight, and preferably be mostly or all black. Don't care about a remote or bluetooth really, but it has to have at least an aux in.

So currently my options are:
-get a new faceplate for the Alpine and call it good enough
-Find a working factory unit and do the aux in mod., and wire an amp back into it
-Sony CDX-GT40U.

-other? I haven't found any other reasonably-priced head units with similar features or looks, and the quality seems good enough for me. I know it won't be anything ground-breaking.

[Cabriolet]

Sony HU=crap always

Get a decent Pioneer or Alpine

I've had alpines for 6 years now and after using/listening to others, I couldn't never downgrade.

get a luke box E10 and quality amps. if you are ambitious getting 6x9s in the rear makes the car perfect.

[gearheadE30]

I've heard people say they suck, but I've heard that about almost everything else, too. Alpines since 2006 apparently suck, JVC is a bit chintzy, Kenwood is crappy quality...idk, are they really that bad?

I'll look into Pioneer's offerings, but last I looked they were just a bit garish for me.

Eventually I might get a luke box, but that would be a ways off in the future because I have a few other projects going right now.

[future rs]

I have that same sony. It matches the interior nicely with the red.

Is it a good deck... eh. I have much better but I can't stand blue lights in my interior.

Does it work? Yes! it actually works just fine with a 10" sub in the trunk. Sound is ok. And I can just leave an 8gb flash drive plugged in the front with all my music. No worrying about my ipod getting stolen. No cables running everywhere getting in the way of the shift lever.

If you're crazy about perfect tones and amazing clarity I would go elsewhere.

[nrubenstein]

I'm actually getting the best results out of Kenwood these days. The sound quality of the Excelon line is far and away better than any of the Alpine or Pioneer models that I have used.

[gearheadE30]

Having never used an aftermarket head unit that was more than about $100 new, would a step up to something like the Excelon X496 be worth the extra $50 to $70? While I'm not anal about audio perfection, if it is going to be a noticeable difference in clarity and performance then it's probly worth it for me.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113KDCX...84#details-tab

[E30_Pare]

Went from a Sony xplod to a basic kenwood. The kenwood has less options, but better sound quality. Sony is more user friendly. I havent heard a good Pioneer deck I've liked, alpines are ok, I'd stick with a JVC / Pioneer for best bang for buck.

[agent]

I went with the Clarion CZ702.

[gearheadE30]

I definitely want to keep it below $200, and preferably below $150.

[Cabriolet]

I definitely want to keep it below $200, and preferably below $150.

then hold off till you have money. running just off the HU is a bad idea.

here's what im running in my car.
Alpine - MRX-M50
Alpine - MRX-F30 4-Channel 600 Watt
Pioneer TS-D1320C 5.25 - best fronts on the market. period.
Pioneer TS-D1302R 5.25 - in my rears. bc vert.
Alpine CDA105 HU

other that upgrading to the X series Alpine HU, i've never used a better setup
and it sounds damn good

i have the luke power top sub box.

[gearheadE30]

Hmm. Well, I think if I went with that Kenwood KDC X496, it should be pretty easy to expand as time goes on, right? I do plan on running a 4-channel amp at some point, but it won't really be any harder to install that later than it would be to do it now. Plus the Kenwood has 6 channel 4-volt preouts, so I wouldn't need to buy something else.

Why is it a bad idea to run just off the HU? I know it's not ideal from an audio quality standpoint, but is there some reason other than that?

[Cabriolet]

the power IC generates more heat, where you dont want it. and yes the audio wont be idea. and that's why i say dont upgrade till you have the funds to do it right.

[agent]

Once you hear a Lukebox, you won't be satisfied until you have one. Another vote for saving up and doing it right, once.

[gearheadE30]

Sounds like that's what I'll do then; thanks guys.

[workman482]

I'm running a Kenwood KDC-X994 on stock speaker upgrades. Infinity 529I 5-1/4 in the rear deck and kenwood Kfc-1393Ps 5-1/4 in the kick panels. Non-premium audio car. I know the stock location aren't the best for audio acoustics, but I'm not cutting my factory sheet metal.
System sounds great to me and my HU put out enough power to run the speakers I've put in with no problems. I've had three Kenwood HU's and have loved them all. Plenty of customization for me. Not only in audio output but also display colors and formats. The red on my HU almost matches my instrument cluster perfectly.

http://www2.crutchfield.com.edgesuite.net/pix.crutchfield.com/ImageHandler/fixedscale/900/900/products/20100/113/x113KDCX994-f_mt2.jpeg