Alpine cd/tuner?

[Paul]

I'm looking at getting a new cd/tuner for my daily driver, 4Runner and like the look and quality of the Alpines.

Anyone got any experience with these or suggest something else?

I'm only looking for single disc CD/Tuner with Ipod connection in the back, not the 3.5mm socket on the front job.
At the moment it's got a Kenwood mask jobby in it with autochanger but I want the the option of CD as well as Ipod with a wired connection for the Ipod so just getting an adator for the Kenwood isn't an option plus I fancy a change.

Looking at around the £200 mark but the Alpines all look the bloody same to me:(

Cheers, Paul

[DaveK]

The Alpine in my 964 is pretty good (at least, since I upgraded the speakers). The one I've got doesn't have Ipod connectivity but there is a similar model that does.

The Supra's got a Sony in it and I'd say the Alpine sounds better - but it's a bit of an unfair comparison since the 964 has several hundred quids worth of Infinity speakers in it, and the Supra is still on the stock ones.

[Paul]

They do look well put together, the Alpines, much better build than the Kenwood that the 4Runner has in it at the moment.

The main thing I need is Ipod/Single disc CD without being too fussy. Read a few write ups on some of the Alpines and they all come out well.
Seems some good deals online at the moment, can get an Alpine CDE-9850Ri for just short of £150 which seems really good:)
Anyone got any experience of these?

Paul

[DaveK]

I haven't any experience of it but it's the model I was thinking of.

I've seen good reviews / comments about them - however, there is one common comment and that's the fact that the display / control for the ipod is pretty crap and you're better off using the Ipod controls to change what you're listening to (or sort out a playlist). Not specific to Alpine though - seems to be a common comment for most head units with ipod connectivity.

[hiten55]

Head unit wise, cant really beat alpine, well you can, but you need stoopid money (Nakamichi etc). dont go for the one with glide touch - theyve had bad reviews... but pretty much any alpine is better than the rest id say, obviously you get what you pay for though.

[Nic]

I use the CDA-9857 which is good quality.

I can supply either of these models if interested.

Alpine CDA-9857 = £213 including postage
Alpine CDA-9856 = £170 including postage

[Nicholas]

I can get you a Nakamichi CD 400 for £250 but it would take around 4-5 weeks!:)