[PatchyBoy]

Guys,

I currently have an Alpine CDE-9870 headunit. I also have the KCD-420i cable to connect my ipod. Unforunately, the CD player has conked out. The HU works fine, but I cannot play CDs. This restricts me to using the Ipod on long drives. I am OK with that, excepting that this unit does not support ipod charging and strangely, the ipod batteries drain out with 4 hours of playing when connected to the HU, as against 12 hours if I use the headphones.

My whole ICE setup is as follows:

Alpine 9870E
JBL GT5 500C Components for the front
JBL GT5 963 for rear
JBL 2 Channel Amp and JBL 1100 W Sub.

Given the above, I am contemplating of upgrading the HU. I would like to stick with Alpine. I have norrowed down to these choices:

Alpine CDA 105
Alpine iDA X303
Alpine CDA 9886

Recommendations from ICE gurus would be greatly appreciated.

Rajan

[jkdas]

9886 has a big fan club. The CDA105 looks great and supports iphone and lot.My suggestion is that you stick to CD receivers for now.

[navin]

Originally Posted by PatchyBoy

Alpine 9870E
JBL GT5 500C Components for the front
JBL GT5 963 for rear
JBL 2 Channel Amp and JBL 1100 W Sub.

Given the above, I am contemplating of upgrading the HU. I would like to stick with Alpine. I have norrowed down to these choices:

Alpine CDA 105
Alpine iDA X303
Alpine CDA 9886

You want CDs get the 105. If you want only ipod capablity get the x303. remember that the x303 is really a killer ipod player but cannot play CDs the 105 can play CDs but does not offer teh sme level of ipod functionality as the x303.

[PatchyBoy]

Navin,

Thanks for the help. I have some more questions, before I place the order, possibly this week:

1. Should I go for iDA X303 or iDA X305?
2. Will it require any rewiring or will just be pull out my exisiting HU and plug in new?
3. Can I use an USB hub in between, so I have more than 1 USB port and can plug in a thumb drive? I know it kinda sounds stupid, just curious

Thanks for the help.

Cheers,

Rajan

[navin]

The X305 has a nicer screen. For me this is worth it. For yo it may not be.

[rocksterraghu]

Originally Posted by PatchyBoy

.....
2. Will it require any rewiring or will just be pull out my exisiting HU and plug in new?
3. Can I use an USB hub in between, so I have more than 1 USB port and can plug in a thumb drive? I know it kinda sounds stupid, just curious
.......

It should not require any rewiring. And I am not sure if the HU will be able to detect multiple devices simultaneously from the hub, so AFAIK, no.