My head unit died, reccomend me a new one.

[atomic]

This is Alpine's top of the line but from around $400 you can still get this easy to read display and tune most of them to what ever color you choose. I personally have had several different alpines over the years and never once had a problem with them.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-dLPi2MWmMAx/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=300&tab=morephotos&pi=2&i=500DVA9965&display=XL#Tab

[StereoInstaller1]

I have installed literally thousands of Alpines.

I say they are about the least reliable of todays major brand names.

Worse than even Clarion! They used to be the shit, but they got greedy, and in the aftermarket stereo world, maintaining profitability is damn near impossible.

Quality is the first to go.

[DSchultz325e]

There's a seller on eBay (iei10) selling new Clarion DXZ745mp decks for 200 bucks. I've got one, and as Borat would say, it's veddy naaice.

My fianceé has got the same dilemma as you, except she's got an E36. I'm torn between getting her the Panasonic CQ-C7413U or the Clarion. I'm kinda worried the Clarion might be a bit too geeky for her and she'll end up pressing the wrong button and freak out.

But yeah, the Clarion sounds like it's got your name written all over it. Keep in mind there are no high pass filters, only sub low pass.

[StereoInstaller1]

The CQ-C7413 is discontinued, but still plentiful.

I would have one in my dashboard today if not for 2 things:

No USB
The damn "slash" across the face.

I will take Panasonic over any other head unit on the market today if it meets the price/features I want. I think their quality is best.

[DSchultz325e]

The CQ-C7413 is discontinued, but still plentiful.

I would have one in my dashboard today if not for 2 things:

The damn "slash" across the face.

This is why I always keep electrical tape.

Sorry for the slight hijack.

[kylebes1]

This is why I always keep electrical tape.

Sorry for the slight hijack.

that thing looks great, the slash is acceptable, but would look perfect without it.

but how many pre amps does it have...

EDIT: looks like two pair. dang it

[StereoInstaller1]

Kyle, the 7413 has 2 pair of RCAs and a sub out...meaning 3 pair.

Panasonic just words things oddly.

Luke

[kylebes1]

well color me pickle

[Eurospec]

Can anyone explain this 24-bit feature. I've narrowed my choices to two receivers, Clarion DXZ745mp and Nak CD300.

[fretburnr]

I have had the dxz745mp for 2-3 years. Fantastic deck, sounds great ... crystal clear, plenty of minute detail and great dynamics, even driving speakers off its internal amp. Also it looks Plain and Clean. No gaudy chrome, no funky graphics, and the color can be set to match really close to our interior lighting.

[Eurospec]

How's the deck in the skipping department?

[fretburnr]

not perfect, but certainly better than a few i've had before (late 80s kenwood and alpine, mid 90s blaupunkt). The only other modern deck I've had that was better was a '99ish alpine, and the difference was marginal.

Plus none of those decks were in cars anywhere near as stiffly sprung as my e30.