[speedzak]

Alpine, this time has come up with a good HU line up and 9887 is a great one on top of those. I was very interested in getting one from the 2006 range of Clarion HU because they sounded great and had some excellent features, looks etc... Haven't heard the 07 range and dunno what change has happened in the new ones.

And in HUs, it doesn't always have to improve year by year. Like the case with Pioneer, Alpine etc.. Alpine HUs were just what an enthusiast would choose some years ago. Then the drastic year of 2004-05 happened when their HUs (also) started sounding a bit bright and lost it's infamous warmth and sweetness. It got better in 06 but nowhere near the pre 04 era! Now, they're slowly coming back to their originality with their 07 range.
And Pioneer had some good HUs in 06 (6850, P80/90 for example). But many (including me), were actually disappointed with their 07 range. They have lots of new features but have lost a bit in their sound signature. With some good equipment to support, they start sounding lifeless and a bit tinny. I've played around with different HUs in one same setup, and believe me, each had a character of it's own. Regarding Pios, I liked their older versions better.

Keeping this in mind, I would recommend you to first listen to a 9887 with some similar speakers setup of yours. Then see if you can get your ears on a Clarion 775. If you can't then the matter between your ears are the best deciding factor. Also remember the fact that good HUs sound more bad with bad media. Basic HUs are better with bad media. So, when you test a HU, always have the best media in your hand.

And lastly! if I were you, I would choose 9887. Just because of the fact that one cannot easily go wrong with this HU.