Alpine CD Player or Digital Media Receiver or a Clarion 2 DIN DVD Player ?

[esteem_lover]

I am in search of a replacement for my Sony M-EX R1 DVD player. I have shortlisted a few players. Among those are the

1. Alpine 9886 - $ 265

2. Alpine iDA-X305 - $269

3.Clarion MAX385VD -$319



I would like to know

a. the pros & cons of the Alpine media receiver vis-a-vis the MP3 CD player.
b. Why is Digital Media Receiver not so popular here in Team-BHP ?
c. Will it accommodate one more aux in other than the ipod/iphone ?

[navin]

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

2. Alpine iDA-X305 - $269
Attachment 97397

this is what I would get but then my family is all ipod centric so not haivng CD does not bother us.

[esteem_lover]

Originally Posted by navin

this is what I would get but then my family is all ipod centric so not haivng CD does not bother us.

AM planning to get one when i buy this unit. Is it as good as the 9886/9887 as far as the sound is concerned ?

And could someone clarify my a,b & c please ?

[hydrashok]

@e_l, I'd go with the Alpine 9886. Reasons:

1) The 9886 can play iPods & CDs. The iDA can play only iPods.
2) You can't borrow a CD from a friend and listen to it on the iDA rightaway. You'll need to rip it first, copy it to the iPod and then listen to it. (The unit will also read off a USB thumbdrive and most other MP3 players with the USB cable).

The iDA does look better that the 9886, but well, you're buying the unit so you can listen to it, rather than enjoy its looks, right?

Both units will let you add one more aux-input with an additional Alpine cable. (only one type of cable is compatible for the iDA while two types of cable are compatible with the 9886, if I remember right).

They are both Bluetooth 'ready', but if you add the BT adapter kit, you may not be able to use the AUX-in for anything else (not 100% sure of this).

If I were faced with a choice between the 9886 and the iDA, I'd buy the 9886.

Not familiar with the Clarion, sorry.

[esteem_lover]

Thanks for your inputs hydra.

I am actually fed up of CDs. I've made so many copies of the same music in different combination of albums/songs etc. Now, I prefer to have them ripped and stored in a HDD or something like that. So I will not be missing the CD player, but in case I need one, i can always connect a discman to the aux in, right ?

[navin]

Originally Posted by hydrashok

2) You can't borrow a CD from a friend and listen to it on the iDA rightaway.

but the iDA gives you ipod like control over the ipod. The 9886/7 dont come close. So it all depends. If you are like me who never bothers with other peoples music and is ipod centric then the iDA is for you. If you are like Hydra who often listens to CDs get the 9886/7.

[hydrashok]

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

...but in case I need one, i can always connect a discman to the aux in, right ?

Yes, e_l, you will be able to. And no doubt the iPod is wayyyyy more convenient. You can get an iPod Classic 160GB for about 10K now I think. That will be all you need, to carry your entire CD collection around, even at very high quality rips.

Originally Posted by navin

but the iDA gives you ipod like control over the ipod. The 9886/7 dont come close. ...

I haven't tried an iDA yet, and with that big control knob, I guess using the iPod must be a breeze.

With the high-speed cable, the 9886/7 also gives us very good control over the iPod. The response time is fast, with no lag at all.

[navin]

Hydra the screen also helps since you can see almost exactly what you see on your ipod screen.

[hydrashok]

Originally Posted by navin

Hydra the screen also helps since you can see almost exactly what you see on your ipod screen.

Yes, that I'd missed! That screen will make the HU-iPod experience almost seamless.

[esteem_lover]

So the iDA is it then. I am convinced. Next step is to get an iPod.

[Fountainheader]

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

So the iDA is it then. I am convinced. Next step is to get an iPod.

Search for eBay deals boss. I bought a 120 GB classic over eBay. Used the 1k off voucher. Final price - 9990

But the sealed iPod had a white screen issue (very common I heard), which Apple promptly replaced

[navin]

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

So the iDA is it then. I am convinced. Next step is to get an iPod.

the 4th and 5th gen ipods dont load as fast as the 6th gen but sound better.

[sk456]

Originally Posted by hydrashok

You can get an iPod Classic 160GB for about 10K now I think.

Hydra, a 160gb I pod f0r 10K is it ? where ? im seriously contemplating upgrading mine.

[navin]

I got a 80GB classic for 8K and yes the same gent in Heera Panna Mumbai offered me a 120GB version for 10K.

[sk456]

what about the 160gb model? ive not seen it less than 18k anywhere