My Octi (three months old) has the standard TDM 7582E Alpine unit. I want to upgrade it and am not sure if I should change the entire thing or add a changer unit and speakers. I was told that a socket panel is required at the back of the TDM 7582 E to make it compatible with a MP3 compatible changer and it costs Rs 2000 extra. I was offered Rs. 2500 exchange price for the head unit if I change the entire unit to a new one. I need a changer option with CD and MP3 both and also preferably a cassette player (though not necessary). All in all it appears that if I exchange the TDM 7582 E with a Sony head unit alongwith a 6 CD changer the price would be more or less same as installing a CD changer with the exisitng Alpine head unit (exchange price + the fact that a socket panel is required).I also want speakers. Budget is flexible if it is worth as we spend almost 3 hrs everyday driving to and fro from office. Also suggest a dealer who can do it in and around South Delhi.

also if I need to make a choice between an alpine and a sony - what would be a better option!

[Sam Kapasi]

Originally Posted by ibe

My Octi (three months old) has the standard TDM 7582E Alpine unit. I want to upgrade it and am not sure if I should change the entire thing or add a changer unit and speakers. I was told that a socket panel is required at the back of the TDM 7582 E to make it compatible with a MP3 compatible changer and it costs Rs 2000 extra. I was offered Rs. 2500 exchange price for the head unit if I change the entire unit to a new one. I need a changer option with CD and MP3 both and also preferably a cassette player (though not necessary). All in all it appears that if I exchange the TDM 7582 E with a Sony head unit alongwith a 6 CD changer the price would be more or less same as installing a CD changer with the exisitng Alpine head unit (exchange price + the fact that a socket panel is required).I also want speakers. Budget is flexible if it is worth as we spend almost 3 hrs everyday driving to and fro from office. Also suggest a dealer who can do it in and around South Delhi.

Hi Ibe,

I love the sound of Alpine car Audio. It's full and rich. Sony makes some very nice Head Units too, but i'd rather take an Alpine.
Allow me to explain this "Socket panel" thing. Your Alpine is not an Ai-Net HU. The cd changer you want to install is compatible with Ai-Net Alpine HU's(Head Unit, means Car Deck) so, alpine has a cable that marries non Ai-net Hu's to Ai-Net changers.
There is no compromise on the sound quality in this marriage.
You can buy a lot of stuff from Lajpat Nagar in South Delhi. My favourite dealer there is Elegant. The owners name is sachin. I know him as he is a prominent JBL dealer but he sells everything, Sony, Alpine JVC everything.
Remember sometimes a good speaker from a specialist speaker manufacturer is a much better option.

Happy Listening
Sam

Thanks Sam

Can you give me the contact number / address of Elegant in Lajpat Nagar? Thanks for your help.

[car_crazy1400]

Buddy! you should also check out Khanna Traders at Lajpat nagar car accessories mkt. Its located next to B.K.Tyres behind Elegant. Beware of Gem car audio next to elegant as he's known to make afool out of you in pricing. You may also check out Carmos in lajpat nagar only. Has the best and latest stock of stereo's speakers and other accessories, but is a little expensive.

[car_crazy1400]

As for personal preference, I have got an octavia 2002 model. Have a pioneer Head unit 7025 (cassette player) with a 12 cd changer connected to pioneer TS - E6995 speakers via a 4 channel JBL amplifier and a 10" Jbl bass bin in the boot and it really rocks!
So, I do suggest you give a listen to a Pioneer head unit prefreably 5750 with mp3 capability and do check out D690 speakers from pioneer(can be fitted by cutting the correct size in the rear parcel tray of skoda).

[navin]

To use Ai-Net you have to get an Alpine changer. Like their HUs Alpine equipment is more expensive then their competition.

You hence have 2 option (3 if you want to do both).

1. Exchange your TDM for a CD unit like the 9830. Cost would about 16-18K. You get a single CD/MP3 HU in your dash anc can change CDs on the road.

2. Get the Alpine 6 CD changer and AiNet adapter. Cost would be about 22-24K. you get a 6 CD changer (vs one in your dash) but have to open your trunk to switch CDs. Then again 6 CDs full of MP3 would be about 30-60 hours of continous music.

It depends if you still intend to use tape, if you want to change CDs in your car without having to open the trunk (the 6CD alpine unit is quite compact and you might be able to install it inside the cabin).

Obviously you could trade in your Alpine TDM using for a In dash CD HU AND trunk changer from a 3rd brand (sony, kenwood, etc...) for the same price (about 15-20K) anbd get the in dash as well as trunk CD capability. But some of us swear by Alpines. I have been using Alpines since 1985. My 7284 still works and my 7385 took a fall from a window and still works (it has changed cars 3 times). Albeit today I use them on spare cars and have virtually given up tape.

I find Alpine to be a fair mix of Nakamichi's ablity to play orchestral music, Sony and Kenwoods ability to play Rock and Pop, and Pioneer's ability to pull in radio (though we dont have much radio in India). Besides with feathures like Ai-Net, KCA 420 (Ipod connector), KCE 510 (multi amplifer controller), VPA-B211 (Adapter for 3rd party equipment), I-Personallise with Data Download (confgure the system's EQ and delay times over the net)) etc.... Alpines are virtually future proof.
see https://i-personalize.alpine.com/eue/index.html