Well, I don't actually have a Mustang yet...but I have a '07 convertible w/ Shaker 500 coming in about a month (hopefully), so of course I can't wait to start blowing money on it.

Now I get the impression that some of the more prolific members think that Alpine is a bit overrated, but I've had a few over the last decade or so. My most recent one is new enough to play .mp3's but old enough for me to remember wondering how long it would take that fad to pass. Anyway, I've been debating getting a new head unit and I've been toying with the Alpine iDA-X001 (Link below)

Additionally, anybody have any opinions on the Alpine USB adaptor (Link below)? Any reasonably sized mp3 player is basically just flash memory and an A/D. Since I'm paying all this money for a pretty decent A/D convertor in the HU, it seems a shame to by another one especially if the HU has a decent interface and I can get a cheap thumb drive. But I guess then I have to pay all that money for a USB adaptor.

I'd appreciate any suggestions for head units: Alpine or otherwise. My only bias towards them is habit. If it matters, some day I'd like to get an amp + sub so I can blast my hippety-hop music as I roll down the street and scare small children. I wouldn't mind spending the $500 or so on a HU, but of course I'd be happy paying less if it has all the nice, digital music controls.

Are there any issues with replacing the Shaker 500, e.g. bizarre impedences or hidden amplifiers?

Finally, any suggestions for some component speakers for a couple hundred bucks? I keep hearing a lot about the CDT on here.

Thanks in advance for your help.


http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/prod...model=iDA-X001
http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/prod...620M&tab=D

 

get the x001... its a damn fine head unit..

 

everything from alpine is always 1 of the best in quality IMO

 

I saw somebody recommend the Eclipse CD8445 to somebody else in another post on here. I also noticed that it has 8V preouts compared to the Alpine 2V.

Am I actually going to notice a difference in the performance of subwoofers if I add them later down the line?

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?...roduct_ID=3934

 

Eclipse will destory an alpine unit in terms of SQ, build quality is about even. My eclipse unit is 6 years old and works as good as new.
8V preouts won't give you more "performance" from a sub. They increase the headroom ou have available to tune your amplifiers. Also becuase the signal is stronger it is also better given its higher voltage helps it fend off interference.


Alpine makes great units, but Eclipse is really a level above.

With the 8445 you must run an amp to your speakers as well, it is designed for sound quality, and since HU amps suck, they decided to add more processing abiblity instead of an internal amp.

 

I won't argue with you on sound quality or durability, but my one concern is more aesthetic.

First, is that a rotary **** on the Eclipses? It's sort of hard to see from all the head-on shots.

Also, I personally don't love the look of the 8445. Would you equally recommend the CD5100 or did you have another favorite? Again, my long term goal is to put an amp+sub in someday, but my biggest requirement is that it gracefully handle digital music.

Does anybody have an idea of how the USB input works? Where does it plug in?

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?...roduct_ID=5433

 

I think that unit is also very nice. I don't have favorites.

A USB port is a plug like the one on your computer, it should perform the exact same way.

 

I will argue with you on all the point you made against alpine except the 8 volt outputs. Build quality PALEASE how many 10-15 yr old eclipses do you see around today.............alot of amps cannot handle an 8 volt inputs. You can always add a line driver to increase the voltage but you will not notice a huge difference.

Now I don't know many people that choose alpine for their looks lately. As much as I love them it doesn't match a damn think in my dash.

I beleive the usb plugs into the back of the deck and you leave it somewhere accessable...

 

+1 to that. well last years weren't bad, but after they got rid of the selectable color backlighting they all went to hell. that is why i'm holding on to my 9835 until it dies. the new x001 actually can switch between red and blue (and all the buttons change) so that wouldn't bug me. but the faceplate as a whole just looks kinda wierd with the little iPod screen on the right of it.

 

Buy a good amp.

I wish my CD7000 was a dead head, Eclipse needs to go back to that.

I have seen alot, where I worked at they have been around since 92 I think and I seen people come in and have units that were bought from their original store. And alot of them still work great, I have still managed to talk people into buying a cooler looking one though. Mainly in hopes of talking them into selling me the old school one they have cheap.

I certainly do!


USB Connector

For taking advantage of digital music library portability with USB memory devices and music players to enjoy music files. Also useful for transferring E-iSERV and Area Shot data from PC to head unit.

It's small capacity, it's mainly for loading pictures for your backgrounds,and area maps for your navigation on the unit.