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12-24-2011, 05:03 PM
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#1 | I STILL don't get it
Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: burnaby
Posts: 460
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| Alpine CDA-117 vs other high end decks
Hey guys, just wondering what exactly dictates the prices on these decks and how they relate to performance.
I was offered a good price at visions for a Alpine CDA-117 and started looking up its features. I noticed that compared to other decks such as kenwood excelons, they don't really come with that many features,(ie. no bluetooth or hd tuners) yet still hold a high pricepoint
The RMS outputs are still lower than the kenwoods, which as I understand is important to sound quality, however discussions on other boards seem to favor the sound in the Alpine.
Anyone have some insight into this deck or what other factors I should consider first?
Thanks! |
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12-26-2011, 11:11 PM
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#2 | Ye olde moderator
Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Vancouvwhore
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I have found that Alpine has over-priced their decks and at the same time, have not provided much value in the last few years. For any extras you have to pay (ie: Bluetooth) and even then their bluetooth module is buggy and unreliable. I am hoping that they will be a lot more competitive in the new year. As far as value goes, there are a lot of other decks out there that do a better job. The Kenwood 995 is actually the same SQ-wise as the JVC KD-925 but I find that the JVC is more user-friendly and less expensive. Plus, it comes with pretty much everything!
In the New Year Pioneer is coming out with a sweet SQ deck that is similar to the PRS-99 but much more affordable - also with bluetooth and Ipod functions included. We will be getting a first-hand look at all the 2012 products at CES in two weeks so we can do a small review on what we find there. Looks to be an exciting year for new products!
__________________ Revscene ADMIN elite Sales and Installer at Certified Auto Sound
Maple Ridge, BC |
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12-26-2011, 11:40 PM
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#3 | I STILL don't get it
Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: burnaby
Posts: 460
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Ah thanks for the info. I ended up picking up the CDA-117 today for 225$ at visions, I think it's still returnable. Although what I liked about the deck was how the menus were easy to see and navigate compared to the kenwood. Do you think the features at that price is reasonable?
Last edited by pawdregry4g; 12-26-2011 at 11:58 PM.
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12-30-2011, 12:18 AM
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#4 | Ye olde moderator
Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Vancouvwhore
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| Quote:
Originally Posted by pawdregry4g Ah thanks for the info. I ended up picking up the CDA-117 today for 225$ at visions, I think it's still returnable. Although what I liked about the deck was how the menus were easy to see and navigate compared to the kenwood. Do you think the features at that price is reasonable? | Compared to some other decks? No, not really. The price is fine for Alpine but features-wise, you can do much better! Just saying.
__________________ Revscene ADMIN elite Sales and Installer at Certified Auto Sound
Maple Ridge, BC |
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12-30-2011, 12:20 PM
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#5 | I STILL don't get it
Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: burnaby
Posts: 460
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Le waiting game it is then
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01-06-2012, 11:16 PM
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#6 | RS Lurker, I don't post!
Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hong Kong
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I've recommended & installed dozens of CDA-117's, and have found them
to be reliable, good-sounding and pretty good value for the dollar.
(here in HK)
Not what I'd call a high-end deck, but pretty decent.
No problems to date with BT interface, regardless of the phone.
(iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Nokia etc......)
Don't bother with the Imprint system. It takes a lot of time to do a
detailed setup (mic placement in several locations) and I've always been
able to achieve better sounding results using ears, RTA or both.
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01-14-2012, 10:10 PM
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#7 | I STILL don't get it
Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: burnaby
Posts: 460
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So any interesting finds at CES this year?
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01-15-2012, 10:21 PM
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#8 | 14 dolla balla aint got nothing on me!
Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: vancouver
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i have a mcintosh mx406 retails for $1500 and its top of the line. warm, clear, detailed sound,20 bit DAC,no hiss and the unit is even shielded but has no bt or nav.
for $225 their isnt much to complain as long as the features work for the alpine.
once you get into the 1k headunit you can go with tons of features or better sounding. i opted for better sound since im a hi fi freak |
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01-15-2012, 10:44 PM
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#9 | I STILL don't get it
Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: burnaby
Posts: 460
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damnn, yea looking at that mcintosh I wouldn't be able to tell the price or understand it either.
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01-17-2012, 06:47 AM
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#11 | RS.net Licensed Sponsor
Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Coquitlam
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[QUOTE=pawdregry4g;7764037]If anyone is interested, JVC put out news of their new 2012 decks. JVC Mobile Introduces New State-Of-The-Art CD Receivers In 2012 | JVC Consumer Press Releases
Their KD-A95BT looks pretty nice.
*Edit upon further inspection, this new one only has 3 preouts?
I was at CES to see the new JVC products. It feels like a quality build. it acts like one should. It has all of the qualities that you'd expect from a top-of-the-line head unit these days. It has 3 sets of 5 volt outputs, with total control over each. It's made by Kenwood without their crazy navigation screens. To me it was very intuitive, which is exactly what I want when I'm driving!  )
__________________ Keith McCumber SoundsGood Auto Services
Everything we do is sound! 104-2700 Barnet Hwy Coquitlam 604-961-8626 1420 Boundary Rd. Burnaby, 604-676-8100 www.soundsgoodauto.com Hours of Operation: Tuesday through Saturday 9:00 to 6:00
Authorized dealers of: Focal, Audison, Alpine, JL, Kenwood, Pioneer, Sony, Thinkware, Compustar, K40... WE ACCEPT: ICBC Claims, VISA, MC, DEBIT, PAYPAL AND CASH. |
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01-17-2012, 09:39 AM
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#12 | I STILL don't get it
Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: burnaby
Posts: 460
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ah nice, did you happen to get a look at any new alpine single din decks? I still like the look of the CDA117 but was hoping for an update to that this year.
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