After seeing Bob's Clin-O-Meter install I am accelerating my desire to go to a single DIN head unit. I have searched a bit and found conflicting info.
I want a stereo that will play MP3, WMA and conventional CD's. I don't care too much about motorized faces or that stuff, but would like pretty clean sound using the stock speakers. And, yeah, I like Alpine in general and I am cheap.

Here is my question...
Which unit should I get that will fit the bill?

 

The Kenwood KDC-X679 is right up your alley and you can buy the music keg to go along with it. I love my KDC-x759 but it doesn't do MP3s or WMA's.

 

I got a Alpine CDA-9811 a year ago or so and it does everything you want and was a easy install, I also have just the stock speakers still. Its pretty basic and does both WMA and MP3 and even is XM ready if one day you plan on adding that.
I'm still happy with the unit and it does everything I want, may suggest maybe a new model or one with 2 lines of text dispay since MP3 and WMA have awfull long file names (hard to read as it scrolls across and searching for the song you want), thats the only thing I would change

 

How much does the newer model of that 9811 cost? I'm in the market for one too...

Fink

 

Might want to use this as a compare with (CDA-9813)
http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.js...3752&oid=69695
or (CDA-9815)
http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.js...3752&oid=70601
You can probably find a better deal online, you may still be able to find the 9811 cheaper but I don't pay retail for my electronics.
I would suggest making a CD with MP3 and WMA and take it to a brick and mortar store to see if you like how the displays going to show the names of the files to be sure you will like it. Also alot of places offer Free installations but I prefer to do my own.

 

I got my 9813 for $275 shipped...that was last October

 

How does Pioneer stack up?

 

my alpine is AWESOME. it has tripled my enjoyment of the stock speakers, though i now of course want to install aftermarket ones so i can fully use its capabilities.

i got mine really cheap (it retailed for almost $400, bought it for $230 or so) because it was a floor model and was discontinued -- but it came with a 3 year warranty for free -- i can bring it in anytime i want to get it checked out / cleaned!

try for that, go to your local tweeters etc and ask if they have any discontinued models.

 

ive had mine since i got the truck...its in the sig.

 

I just went thru this last week, I bought a pioneer premier deh-p460mp. Plays mp3's, wma's, great power, great screen, reads digital tags of song names off cdr's, sell onlibne for about $180, got mine for $130 shipped off ebay. I'd highly recommend it.


https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/pics-new-head-unit-29646/

Heres a copy of the link to my post after the install.

 

I've always been a fan of Alpine and Panasonic.... but I would recommend the Alpine. They hold up better and sound better - I've had two friends install the CDA9815 and they are amazing!

 

ive got the pioneer DEH-P8400MP and it is sweet. it plays MP3s and WMAs. and it also has cool display options. its very eary to use and has a nice EQ setup. i have MB Quart components in all of my doors and a 10" Rockford Fosgate sub and the headunit works great with it all.

-Casey

 

I have Pioneer DEH-P8500MP and love it! Great head unit which plays virtually anything and sounds very good as well!

-- Andrey