[demon2091tb]

Well i'm in the search for HU's now, and i'm somewhat headed towards Eclipse lines, I've found the 8053 and 8443 and so on to be pretty nice HU's, not sure on the price i could get one for but as far as features they look rather nice. But i'm not really sure which one is for me, and what the differences are b/w the HU's, but 8V out 24bit DAC and 55ohm output impendence just lights up my eyes, and thats why i'm headed for the Eclipse line over Alpine and a few other companies out there. But other than Eclipse what are some other companies that have products that would come close if not surpas the models listed for the money. I'm thinking if i can find one used for <$300 than i would be set.

I would like some flexability with EQ's, very laid back faceplace, straight forward and easy to navigate menues, high Volt outputs, moderate to high Bit DAC, and ability to read CD/R, CD/RW and MP3 CD's (without horrible decompression stuff), 3 ouputs including variable sub output and control, and a nice internal crossover would be cool too.

The internal crossover to use in conjuntion with my DX-28 for a 3way front stage eventually so i can run the tweets off HU power(and crossover) then direct other frequencies and midrange to now in use DX-28 and take the tweet channel now and change to midrange ch. and then i'd be set for 4way complete.

My mom said before i can buy this i need to sell my stock tC HU, which i want to keep just for later incase i want to change the look back to stock if i need too, but we'll see about that, any extra money would be nice to go towards it, so this is just to let people know if they read this that i may have a tC stock HU for sale soon as well.

So what are my options out there, besides the few that i've looked at, and my setup is as follows in my sig.

My top pick right now if i can locate one for a VERY good price is the CD8053 from Eclipse, so if anyone reads this and has one in very good condition then let me know please.

 

[dodgerblue]

i have one but im keeping it,you can indeed find one on ebay for under 300 and some i seen there are in great con.ive had highend alpines for 8 yrs until i got my 8053, it sounds better and the procc. power is sick . just my exp.

 

[demon2091tb]

Thanks for the input, I've never used an Aftermarket deck, but i have that drive towards the Eclipses i've mentioned, they just seem like they would fit me and what i am looking for very good.

 

[cam2Xrunner]

Have you looked into the Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP?

 

[demon2091tb]

The P860MP looks to be very good as well, Add that one to the list, Wish it was a step more laid back though, but it does fit the bill.

So Right now my best bets are:

Eclipse 8053
Eclipse 8443
Pioneer P860MP

 

[AzGrower]

///Alpine is what I like, you get some really good deals on some models with all the whistles, xovers, 3 ouputs, 4 volt, yada yada yada.

www.onlinecarstereo.com

 

[GMo]

I'm running the 8443. It's great for the money, I paid about 180$ as a demo unit from a local shop about 6 months ago for it.
I have an external crossover, audio control 6xs, I use but the internal x-over is pretty flexible for a HU.
Unlike quite a few of the HU's with a built in P/S, there is no sound quality degradation due to it. When I listened to the 8443 vs the 8053 (the latter costing 200$ more) , I couldn't tell any differences.
Before the 8443 I was running the Alpine 9833, and the eclipse is more flexible with it's control and IMO the sound was slightly cleaner.
Previous to that I ran a pioneer 940 premier for a while. I can't stand the FM reception on Pioneers, but it had great pickup. The units themselves are nice, but I definitely prefer my Eclipse over the pioneer. Although I don't know how the 940 compares to the 860.

 

[demon2091tb]

Yea thanks for the reply, I'm headed towards the 8443 or 8053, not sure i need BLA's so i'm sure i'll prolly go with the 8443 with the built in PS, is there a defeatable switch for the internal amp on it, as i would either run it with the amp off or when i go 3 way up front just using 1 set of outputs for a set of tweets. But still trying to decide which would be best for me, and i still have a few weeks till i'll be able to purchase anything.

 

[GMo]

Yea thanks for the reply, I'm headed towards the 8443 or 8053, not sure i need BLA's so i'm sure i'll prolly go with the 8443 with the built in PS, is there a defeatable switch for the internal amp on it, as i would either run it with the amp off or when i go 3 way up front just using 1 set of outputs for a set of tweets. But still trying to decide which would be best for me, and i still have a few weeks till i'll be able to purchase anything.

NP
There aren't any controls that I could find which enable you to defeat the PS, but when I compared the 8443 to the 8053, I couldn't tell any difference in SQ, the PS is really well isolated from the rest of the unit and there is no audible induced noise. It was the biggest concern to me, so I listened for a few day to each before making my decision.

I didn't need the 16/8v balanced RCA outs either.

 

[dodgerblue]

the 8053 does not need the bal line conv. for unbal usage, you just use the pos or neg side of the rca outputs either or but not bothat the same time ,i had to call tech supp. to find out for shure myself,the 8443 and 8053 should sound near ident. both share 24 bit dacs and the same procc. features-if cheaper go with the 8443 you wont miss anything.

 

[demon2091tb]

Well if i can get ahold of either at the right price than i will go with the one i can get ahold of. As far as the onboard displays, which has the better layout, as well as the most clear and distinct lines and such, something that is VERY easy to read but still shows all the info and complex things i may need but very relaxed in its presentation.

 

[dodgerblue]

besides plying with a friends 8443 some time ago , i dont remember much if any of the display being diff. the functions took me some time to get used to coming off a high end alpine,after a bit of playing i can switch crossover pionts etc and drive.i find the deck a bit diff. to sead on a az. day you can adjust the lighting and contrast,but at night i love it easy to read and functional display when you get used to it,hope it helps!

 

[dodgerblue]

hey demon there is a 8443 on ebay i believe 7 days left looks in exc. cond. and seller has good feedback auction 5 8 0 2 5 4 9 6 4 0

 

[racerraul]

You Eclipse using Gents, not having any issues with turn on/off noises/pops?
I have heard some do some don't... A friend of mine wasn't so lucky...

I wouldn't worry too much about sonic differences across top HU from Pioneer, Eclipse, Alpine, Clarion etc...

In the end deciding on say an Alpine 9835 & a Eclipse 8443 wont make or break the end result... worry about the features you need. The reason I say this is because if there was an obvious advantage, it would be common knowledge by now... I am not looking to start anything.

 

[dodgerblue]

i have had problems with turn on - off pops with a couple of amps i had htried in the past but not my adcom or pg 275, so i believe its amp related,my friend 8443-did have alt noise he could not get rid of and thought it was deck related, i have not had any noise problems similar to his , i pay special attn. to grounding of all comp. some thing he didnt do much of on his veh.race good piont on decks the sq between other high end decks wont make or break the system, imo the 8053 is best sounding deck ive listened to. features will have more of an imact though.

 

[300Z]

Have you considered the new Excelons?

 

[GMo]

You Eclipse using Gents, not having any issues with turn on/off noises/pops?

No problems as of yet...

In the end deciding on say an Alpine 9835 & a Eclipse 8443 wont make or break the end result... worry about the features you need. The reason I say this is because if there was an obvious advantage, it would be common knowledge by now...

I totally agree.
Both of those would be a great HU, pick it based on features

 

[demon2091tb]

So overall in relation of price/performance and features out there, which HU is more flexable, as well as a VERY appealing overall look. I would really like to have a very simple and easy to navigate attractive HU, that more than suits my needs, but dosent stick out like a sore thumb in my interior, (made up of lots of silver and black plastics, fabrics.

I want tons of features without being gaudy, and having all of those rediculious colored lights and stuff, but still blend aesthetically into the rest of my car.

So as far as features go, can someone help me understand all of what they offer and whatnot, because i'm not sure what half of the stuff on these HU's do, i just know that the higher the output Voltage the cleaner the signal, as well as output impendence as well, and that a very high DAC lends to even more SQ. A nice flexable on board EQ and crossover would be great as well, and a dedicated variable sub control.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that some sort of TA for individual channels or outputs would be nice, for times when i decide i want to compete or whatnot....if i ever do decide.

 

[rutger j]

Clarion DRZ 9255.

Has a lot o features and looks, IMHO, really really good...
Cost, around $800 and up...

Good luck

Best Wishes
Rutger

 

[dodgerblue]

thats a beautiful deck-24bit dacs, 3 way x-over with bp. etc. only thing i dont like is the price!