[nishantgandhi]

Must have's
1. USB playback functionality (out of the box, i.e. no separate cables need to be purchased)
2. Would prefer 3 pre outs

Nice to have's
1. iPod compatibility with iPod Mini (again, preference is out of the box)
2. Time Alignment
I am not bothered with looks/display etc.

Budget - UPTO 10k

Suggestions?

Dr. Frank suggested these HUs
Clarion U.S.A. | DXZ385USB
and
Clarion DXZ785USB CD receiver at Crutchfield.com

How good are Clarions in the budget range i.e. under 10k? Anyone in Mumbai running a Clarion unit who is willing to give an audition?

My most obvious choice at the moment is Kenwood 6539.

P.S. I don't want to consider Pioneer.

[frankmehta]

i'd say the DXZ785USB is a sleeper. its got TA, and can go active at a pricepoint of just under $140 at newegg. The head unit itself looks butch and from the reviews i've read, has surprisingly good sound quality. this one is surely better than the 6539 when you compare the specs. also, the 24 Bit D/A converter is a plus point. USB/iPod direct/TA make this a winner for me. Haven't heard it though, but from reviews online, there is only good stuff to be heard about this unit. I am seriously mulling getting one for my Zen. if that upgrade is coming up any time soon, then im DEFINITELY going for this head unit.
after living with the 9887 i know how integral time alignment is, and if ever I do buy a new head unit, it shall always have TA. this clarion impresses with all the features!

[devarshi84]

get the 785usb. i.e. if you can get it in the first place though.

[frankmehta]

have you heard the 785 anywhere devarshi???

[gunbir]

Apart from the HX-D2, we have used a Clarion 9xx and a 3xx unit. Both are still going strong and have excellent SQ. I can vouch for their build quality and sound. The look and the usability of the 785 may be the only things working against it.

[frankmehta]

i think so too. expecting a lot from this head unit. i wish i could get it for my zen. i can, but im not keen on spending so much on a head unit for the zen, which desperately needs components for now.

[nishantgandhi]

While reading the specs of this unit, I saw the following information for FM tuner:
Frequency Range: 87.9 MHz to 107.9 MHz
Usable Sensitivity: 9 dBf
50dB Quieting Sensitivity: 15 dBf
Alternate Channel Selectivity: 70 dB
Stereo Separation (1 kHz): 35 dB
Frequency Response (±3 dB): 30 Hz to 15 kHz

I dont know how to decode this. AFAIK, units for India step up in 100 mhz steps, while US units do the same every 200 khz (edited by navin).

So will this FM tuner work in India?

[abhinav.gupta88]

In most head units.
There is setting of area 1 and area 2.
In one of them , the step is 100mhz while in the other it is 200mhz

Not sure about your particular one.

[katpasin]

how do you plan to get it to india?


have a look at this one too
Kenwood-Excelon-KDC-X492

[navin]

Originally Posted by nishantgandhi

So will this FM tuner work in India?

Originally Posted by abhinav.gupta88

In most head units.
There is setting of area 1 and area 2.
In one of them , the step is 100mhz while in the other it is 200mhz

the tuner will work fine but only recieve stations that are at odd frequencies namely 89.7, 89.9, 90.1, 90.3, 90.5, etc... till 107.9 (200kHz is 0.2Mhz).

[frankmehta]

so no 104.00 and no 104.80 MEEEOWWW radio for Nishant!!!

[nishantgandhi]

Originally Posted by katpasin

how do you plan to get it to india?


have a look at this one too
Kenwood-Excelon-KDC-X492

Through a friend who is flying down soon.

I saw the Kenwood. Good HU, but does not have TA.

Originally Posted by navin

the tuner will work fine but only recieve stations that are at odd frequencies namely 89.7, 89.9, 90.1, 90.3, 90.5, etc... till 107.9 (200kHz is 0.2Mhz).

That means, all FM channels in Mumbai, except Fever 104 FM

[sonirohit]

Why do you want to go for 785??? a model 786 is available in Indian markets - specs are on Clarion India's site... try to get that with B&W... However for sure It'll be over 140$ that you'd pay in US.
There is another model - I guess DX385USB - with similar specs but for abt 30$ lesser than 785.

I've not experienced the product & it's SQ - however the specs are just great and the reviews are good too... the only flip side I've come across is the looks which are old school.

[frankmehta]

1. 786 costs double of what 785 costs right now
2. there is no time alignment in 385
3. you are right, looks ARE old school :-)

[nishantgandhi]

Originally Posted by sonirohit

Why do you want to go for 785??? a model 786 is available in Indian markets - specs are on Clarion India's site... try to get that with B&W... However for sure It'll be over 140$ that you'd pay in US.
There is another model - I guess DX385USB - with similar specs but for abt 30$ lesser than 785.

I've not experienced the product & it's SQ - however the specs are just great and the reviews are good too... the only flip side I've come across is the looks which are old school.

Originally Posted by frankmehta

1. 786 costs double of what 785 costs right now
2. there is no time alignment in 385
3. you are right, looks ARE old school :-)

I have checked up with Clarion India. They have gotten out of after market HU. Now Clarion supplies only as OEM in Tata (Indica Vista) and GM vehicles.

The Sales Head categorically mentioned that none of the models mentioned on the website can be purchased at a strore or with B&W.

786 at the moment presents a very potent VFM proposition. Yes, looks are military-like/old school for sure, but then again, I dont need a HU to look good. I need it to put out good, clean sound.