High End Headunits

speedzak · 20th August 2008, 10:22

One great HU of all times, Alpine 7998! Also known as the Phantom face! This was known as the 2nd best to the #F1 status. I would die/kill/sell ma ride to own one!

Right now, through out the world, Alpine 9887 seems to have won a lots of hearts. Both from regular users and critics.

The Eclipse 7200 mkII is now out with some very good features and it seems like an amazing HU with only pre-outs and no internal power IC. It also features an all copper body to minimize noise/distortions. The Fujitsu build quality is something to die for! I bet this HU to be one of the best available these days.

Kenwood is producing some good SQ oriented HUs and they are excellent when it comes to certain combos.

Clarion is a master of high end HUs and HX-D2 is simply outstanding.

Now, coming to the threadstarter's query, I don't really see a need for changing the HU. If an upgrade is necessary , Alpine 9886 is what I will recommend. Anything above will be an overkill as B&T suggested.

s0uljah · 20th August 2008, 10:36

Epic, the jump from the 6950 to any of the above mentioned HU's will show a tangible difference.

I was using an Alpine 9830 (stock skoda HU) from day one with my illusions and couple of weeks ago I switched to the Pio 7950. I could instantly tell the difference :(

navin · 20th August 2008, 11:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedzak

One great HU of all times, Alpine 7998! . I would sell ma ride to own one!

If an upgrade is necessary , Alpine 9886 is what I will recommend. Anything above will be an overkill as B&T suggested.

Zak, if you sold your ride what use would the 7998 be? Does the 9886 have TA?

iceman91 · 20th August 2008, 12:05

Navin,
He could use it for his new ride which is not too far on the horizon.

Epic · 20th August 2008, 12:10

Hi guys,

I am impressed with the many answers and suggestions but then also confused :-)

As i have already mentioned the current setup i am running and also the changes i am planning to make; i have noticed that many of you have mentioned the Pioneer P80, Alpine 7998 & Alpine 9887. Since i have always been a fan of Pioneer headunits as they are very dependable & longlasting, so i am more inclined to a Pioneer unit. But please feel free suggest if the Alpines are better.

Now the reason to upgrade to a better headuint and speakers are hoping to achieve the following: -

1. Better Sound Quality
2. Cleaner sound and frequencies without changing/upgraging the amps (not yet atleast)
3. Higher/better output (supposedly highend headunits have higher voltage output from the pre-outs which helps)

Do let me know if the above can be achieved as i would'nt want to invest in highend headunit if it would not make a difference.

prabhuav · 20th August 2008, 12:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedzak

One great HU of all times, Alpine 7998! Also known as the Phantom face! This was known as the 2nd best to the #F1 status. I would die/kill/sell ma ride to own one!

.

you mean this one Zak?

Believe me this is one is muuuuuuuuuuuuuch better that the 9887 in SQ. Get me a Hi energy sub and I will get you one of these.

hydrashok · 20th August 2008, 12:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by prabhuav

Believe me this is one is muuuuuuuuuuuuuch better that the 9887 in SQ. Get me a Hi energy sub and I will get you one of these.

quicksilver, are you listening?

Slightly OT:
@Zak: There is a brand new 7998 in Kochi that was salted away for years and years. Lots of luck trying to get it, though

navin · 20th August 2008, 12:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass&Trouble

Don't look any beyond a Pioneer P80 or an Alpine 9887. Anything more than these two will be overkill.

I thik you mean the P800PRS, the P80 was out when I was looking at the 9835.

vrrraju · 20th August 2008, 15:16

Hi Epic,

I am one of the proud owners of the P80RS. Recently I upgraded m Swift's ICE. While upgrading I asked the same question in the forum and it raised the debate among the ICE guru's especially Naveenji and Bhagwan where not very happy with Alpine. Thats why I went for Pioneer P80 which belongs to the reference series of Pioneer. I have now connected to GTO 1004 and GTO 3501 (GTO1204BR) along with GTO608c and GTO638 speakers. And since I could control the 16 Equalizers to my liking I think It is good to have a hi end HU. P80 comes with built-in TA where as I think for the alpine you have to purchase the IMPRINT kit which is around 11K. Another thing with Pioneer P80 RS is it is IPOD adaptor ready and you will have to purchase it separately which might cost you another 5K.

But I liked P80 more than the Alpine 9886 which I auditioned.

Rest is left to your ears!!!

hydrashok · 20th August 2008, 15:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Epic

...Ofcourse i have only based this on the pre-out voltage which is 5V in the case of the Pioneers as compared to the 4V in case of the Alpines :-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenhorn

epic , there are so many factors to this. pre out voltage is just one of the criteria

Eggjactly. And then again, if you feel a bit weak in the pre-out voltage dept, there is this. *Droooooooooooooolllll*

@Epic, like everyone else, I'd suggest you go for the 98xx series from Alpine. Should hold you in good stead till you decide to go really insane on the rest of the equipment. Added to that, IMHO the 98xx series have better iPod integration/control than Pio (or any other make of HU).

gunbir · 20th August 2008, 15:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedzak

One great HU of all times, Alpine 7998! Also known as the Phantom face! This was known as the 2nd best to the #F1 status. I would die/kill/sell ma ride to own one!

Nah, the 7998 had its time. That time is past. Today there are many more options available.

surfatwork · 20th August 2008, 16:11

Epic - why dont you just try out both HUs in your car and then decide? I am sure a good installer will be able to arrange this for you.
but personally, I have owned several alpines and loved all of them.

hydrashok · 20th August 2008, 16:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by vrrraju

... P80 comes with built-in TA where as I think for the alpine you have to purchase the IMPRINT kit which is around 11K. Another thing with Pioneer P80 RS is it is IPOD adaptor ready and you will have to purchase it separately which might cost you another 5K.

- We don't need IMPRINT for TA. IMPRINT basically sets a "sweet-spot" for each seat in the car. With good equipment and tuning, the need for TA is much less.

- Even the Alpines need a separate iPod cable. I don't think any of the Alpine HUs (except the iDA series) come with an iPod cable. The cable is about 2K with B&W, I think. A bit lesser in the grey.

Bass&Trouble · 20th August 2008, 16:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by hydrashok

We don't need IMPRINT for TA. IMPRINT basically sets a "sweet-spot" for each seat in the car.

More like room correction.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hydrashok

With good equipment and tuning, the need for TA is much less.

I could end up arguing forever with you on that.

hydrashok · 20th August 2008, 16:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass&Trouble

I could end up arguing forever with you on that.

And I'd have been arguing on your side until just 5 days back

But I do subscribe to this philosophy now, in the case of a properly tuned front + sub setup.

20th August 2008, 10:22	#31
speedzak BANNED Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: India Posts: 4,347 Thanked: 27 Times	One great HU of all times, Alpine 7998! Also known as the Phantom face! This was known as the 2nd best to the #F1 status. I would die/kill/sell ma ride to own one! Right now, through out the world, Alpine 9887 seems to have won a lots of hearts. Both from regular users and critics. The Eclipse 7200 mkII is now out with some very good features and it seems like an amazing HU with only pre-outs and no internal power IC. It also features an all copper body to minimize noise/distortions. The Fujitsu build quality is something to die for! I bet this HU to be one of the best available these days. Kenwood is producing some good SQ oriented HUs and they are excellent when it comes to certain combos. Clarion is a master of high end HUs and HX-D2 is simply outstanding. Now, coming to the threadstarter's query, I don't really see a need for changing the HU. If an upgrade is necessary , Alpine 9886 is what I will recommend. Anything above will be an overkill as B&T suggested.
	() Thanks

20th August 2008, 10:36	#32
s0uljah Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: BLR Posts: 2,222 Thanked: 26 Times View My Garage	Epic, the jump from the 6950 to any of the above mentioned HU's will show a tangible difference. I was using an Alpine 9830 (stock skoda HU) from day one with my illusions and couple of weeks ago I switched to the Pio 7950. I could instantly tell the difference :(
	() Thanks

20th August 2008, 12:05	#34
iceman91 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: melbourne/banga Posts: 1,961 Thanked: 35 Times View My Garage	Navin, He could use it for his new ride which is not too far on the horizon.
	() Thanks

20th August 2008, 12:10	#35
Epic Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,563 Thanked: 936 Times	Hi guys, I am impressed with the many answers and suggestions but then also confused :-) As i have already mentioned the current setup i am running and also the changes i am planning to make; i have noticed that many of you have mentioned the Pioneer P80, Alpine 7998 & Alpine 9887. Since i have always been a fan of Pioneer headunits as they are very dependable & longlasting, so i am more inclined to a Pioneer unit. But please feel free suggest if the Alpines are better. Now the reason to upgrade to a better headuint and speakers are hoping to achieve the following: - 1. Better Sound Quality 2. Cleaner sound and frequencies without changing/upgraging the amps (not yet atleast) 3. Higher/better output (supposedly highend headunits have higher voltage output from the pre-outs which helps) Do let me know if the above can be achieved as i would'nt want to invest in highend headunit if it would not make a difference.
	() Thanks

20th August 2008, 15:16	#39
vrrraju BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 186 Thanked: 35 Times	Hi Epic, I am one of the proud owners of the P80RS. Recently I upgraded m Swift's ICE. While upgrading I asked the same question in the forum and it raised the debate among the ICE guru's especially Naveenji and Bhagwan where not very happy with Alpine. Thats why I went for Pioneer P80 which belongs to the reference series of Pioneer. I have now connected to GTO 1004 and GTO 3501 (GTO1204BR) along with GTO608c and GTO638 speakers. And since I could control the 16 Equalizers to my liking I think It is good to have a hi end HU. P80 comes with built-in TA where as I think for the alpine you have to purchase the IMPRINT kit which is around 11K. Another thing with Pioneer P80 RS is it is IPOD adaptor ready and you will have to purchase it separately which might cost you another 5K. But I liked P80 more than the Alpine 9886 which I auditioned. Rest is left to your ears!!!
	() Thanks

20th August 2008, 16:11	#42
surfatwork BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: bangalore Posts: 53 Thanked: 128 Times	Epic - why dont you just try out both HUs in your car and then decide? I am sure a good installer will be able to arrange this for you. but personally, I have owned several alpines and loved all of them.
	() Thanks