head unit install
Feb 15, 2004 | 06:40 AM
#21
Thread Starter
Contributing Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,729
Likes: 0
From: boston, ma
Originally Posted by ManyMods
Go to http://www.alpine-usa.com and look under support on the left for i-personalize. I hate to tell you but I think you could have bought that unit new and complete for about $250- $275 now. I think it is discontinued. Anyway, you can download the manual <G> and the remote might cost you $35 - $50 but I am not sure. You have a Mosfet 60w x 4 amp so you do not need an external amp ... unless you are going to run low efficiency speakers like Kappa's (great speakers) or a sub that is not self-powered. I have high efficiency Reference Series speakers, and the BassLink X has an internal 200W amp. Yow are thinking correctly to say you want to upgrade your speakers before you think about a SUB. I did the speakers first ... the sound improved, then I did the SUB and it sounded disjointed, and then I did the head unit and that blew it through the roof ... AFTER I got it all dialed in. Now I would love to install a second BassLink SUB and some of those Q-Form kick panel enclosures with two more 5.25's and two more tweeters.
Go to:
http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S...=0&cc=01&avf=N
However, then I would have to use an external amp and that does not thrill me right now. Besides, then I would convert everything over and use a speaker with increased frequency response, etc. like the Kappa's. I still think another BassLink would be cool.
Isn't this fun? <VBG>
Go to:
http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S...=0&cc=01&avf=N
However, then I would have to use an external amp and that does not thrill me right now. Besides, then I would convert everything over and use a speaker with increased frequency response, etc. like the Kappa's. I still think another BassLink would be cool.
Isn't this fun? <VBG>
Thanks for the link!
Feb 15, 2004 | 07:10 AM
#22
Thread Starter
Contributing Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,729
Likes: 0
From: boston, ma
Originally Posted by Vato Loco
That looks real good and looks a very nice clean install. How long did it take them?
Feb 15, 2004 | 01:56 PM
#23
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Johnson City, TN
Originally Posted by ManyMods
I am driving myself nuts trying to figure this out ...
If I get a second BassLink and want to setup my system as 3-way, how do I plug the second SUB into the Alpine CDA-9813 head unit. I cannot find a picture of the rear panel to see if it has enough inputs for a second sub. The setup I have now has RCA jacks pluged into the +/- rear SUB inputs and then out to the head unit. I Just do not understand how it works and the Alpine manual does not make it any clearer. Does anyone perhaps have a picture of the rear panel of the head unit?
If I get a second BassLink and want to setup my system as 3-way, how do I plug the second SUB into the Alpine CDA-9813 head unit. I cannot find a picture of the rear panel to see if it has enough inputs for a second sub. The setup I have now has RCA jacks pluged into the +/- rear SUB inputs and then out to the head unit. I Just do not understand how it works and the Alpine manual does not make it any clearer. Does anyone perhaps have a picture of the rear panel of the head unit?
Honestly I have never wired a setup like you discribe, but I think that there is a part designed for this (can think of what it is called) and it allows you to connect both subs together before putting it into the imput.
I am not a pro by any means, but I am sure there is a simple solution to your problem. Ask around at a local car audio shop and see what they say.-Matt
Feb 15, 2004 | 02:22 PM
#24
Registered User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,184
Likes: 0
From: Lynnwood, WA
Alpines are great units. as for myself I have just about given up on i personalize feature because it's too damn complicated for me. I looked through the manual. I get the basic idea about how each speaker can have unique setting and time correction for a unified sound. If anyone has a perfect setting, can you send me the file so i can burn it onto a cd and try those settings? I am also thinking about changing out the speakers, I did power the unit from the battery for the V-drive feature, and it's kicking my stock speaker's butt(the head unit's RMS exceeds max output of stock). I love my Alpine, if i can just figure everything out without banging my head against the wall 
Feb 15, 2004 | 03:06 PM
#26
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
I got the Alpine CDA-9815 I love it, I put PlanetAudio's new components in the front and I have a KickerL715 in the back in a custom box. The components are on a crossfire 280 and the kicker is on a MTX1500. By far the best system ive put together yet, just my .02
If you want to hook up another audio signal buy some RCA splitters, 2into1 and then hook up each basslink as a single right or left signal they will still feed enough signal for clean bass. Or maybe sell your basslink to a friend and do a custom 12" or something, dunno hope that helps
If you want to hook up another audio signal buy some RCA splitters, 2into1 and then hook up each basslink as a single right or left signal they will still feed enough signal for clean bass. Or maybe sell your basslink to a friend and do a custom 12" or something, dunno hope that helps
Last edited by LT_Z; Feb 15, 2004 at 03:12 PM.
Feb 15, 2004 | 05:12 PM
#27
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 840
Likes: 1
From: Martha's Vineyard Island, MA
Originally Posted by 2001Millrunner
Alpines are great units. as for myself I have just about given up on i personalize feature because it's too damn complicated for me. I looked through the manual. I get the basic idea about how each speaker can have unique setting and time correction for a unified sound. If anyone has a perfect setting, can you send me the file so i can burn it onto a cd and try those settings? I am also thinking about changing out the speakers, I did power the unit from the battery for the V-drive feature, and it's kicking my stock speaker's butt(the head unit's RMS exceeds max output of stock). I love my Alpine, if i can just figure everything out without banging my head against the wall
Feb 15, 2004 | 05:28 PM
#28
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 840
Likes: 1
From: Martha's Vineyard Island, MA
Originally Posted by LT_Z
I got the Alpine CDA-9815 I love it, I put PlanetAudio's new components in the front and I have a KickerL715 in the back in a custom box. The components are on a crossfire 280 and the kicker is on a MTX1500. By far the best system ive put together yet, just my .02
If you want to hook up another audio signal buy some RCA splitters, 2into1 and then hook up each basslink as a single right or left signal they will still feed enough signal for clean bass. Or maybe sell your basslink to a friend and do a custom 12" or something, dunno hope that helps
If you want to hook up another audio signal buy some RCA splitters, 2into1 and then hook up each basslink as a single right or left signal they will still feed enough signal for clean bass. Or maybe sell your basslink to a friend and do a custom 12" or something, dunno hope that helps
What I do not know is if the Alpine head unit has FOUR RCA line-level outputs? If it does then I think I am in good shape ... I think?
Feb 15, 2004 | 09:35 PM
#30
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Mine has two pairs of fronts and one pair for sub i think yours is the same. anyway good luck oh and as far as replacing the front tweeters yes they are junk, my planets blow them out of the water !
Last edited by LT_Z; Feb 15, 2004 at 09:37 PM.
Feb 15, 2004 | 10:53 PM
#31
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,896
Likes: 0
From: Arkansas
Lee I have that exact same head unit. I love it!!! I like the fact that it has a built in crossover. Next up will be replacing the factory speakers with something a little better. I might go with Polk Audio.....who knows........
Feb 15, 2004 | 10:54 PM
#32
Contributing Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 833
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth/College Station, TX
If you really want to go high quality goto parts express they have some really high quality speakers, yes they are for home theaters, but they are the best you can buy. The only problem with them is the are not as durable as typical car audio speakers. It also helps that parts express has frequency response graphs so you can match the speakers perfectly. Sorry if some of my terminology is wrong, my roommate last semester was an audiophile so what I know I learned from him, got the concepts, but forgot some of the details.
Feb 16, 2004 | 09:17 AM
#33
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 840
Likes: 1
From: Martha's Vineyard Island, MA
I think I figured out how to hook up the 2nd BassLink SUB 1) I will connect the battery lead to a distribution block inside the cabin
2) I will do the same with the trigger wire (lineman splice)
3) Instead of plugging both RCA cables into the one SUB the way I have it now, I will plug one cable into the front left speaker channel and then on the second BassLink, plug the other RCA cable into the front right speaker channel. That should do it.
4) Of course I will run a separate ground to a seatbelt lug or some other solid ground point.
Last edited by ManyMods; Feb 16, 2004 at 09:19 AM.
Feb 16, 2004 | 09:31 AM
#34
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 840
Likes: 1
From: Martha's Vineyard Island, MA
Originally Posted by Praufet
If you really want to go high quality goto parts express they have some really high quality speakers, yes they are for home theaters, but they are the best you can buy. The only problem with them is the are not as durable as typical car audio speakers. It also helps that parts express has frequency response graphs so you can match the speakers perfectly. Sorry if some of my terminology is wrong, my roommate last semester was an audiophile so what I know I learned from him, got the concepts, but forgot some of the details.
Feb 17, 2004 | 06:02 AM
#35
Thread Starter
Contributing Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,729
Likes: 0
From: boston, ma
i realized i never plugged the awesome shop that put this in for me. if you live in the boston area and need this kind of work done, or navigation / alarm / remote starting system installs, go here:
Precision Sound
81 Bridge Street RT 109
Dedham, MA 02026
they did a terrific job. 
Precision Sound
81 Bridge Street RT 109
Dedham, MA 02026
they did a terrific job.
Feb 17, 2004 | 07:13 AM
#36
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: Nashville
I almost bought a cda-7998 when my local shop had it for dirt cheap. But I think it would have been overkill. Now I'm trying to decide between the 9815 and the 7897. I like the blue of the 9815, which would be cool with some blue gauges, plus less moving parts to wear out. But, I like the 7897 screen, it's green like my factory dials, and you can tilt the screen back to see it better. And after I buy the extra wiring kit for the direct battery connection the 9815 I might as well get a 7897. I'm going to install it myself. Any suggestions one way or the other?
Feb 17, 2004 | 07:18 AM
#37
Thread Starter
Contributing Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,729
Likes: 0
From: boston, ma
Originally Posted by chuckd
I almost bought a cda-7998 when my local shop had it for dirt cheap. But I think it would have been overkill. Now I'm trying to decide between the 9815 and the 7897. I like the blue of the 9815, which would be cool with some blue gauges, plus less moving parts to wear out. But, I like the 7897 screen, it's green like my factory dials, and you can tilt the screen back to see it better. And after I buy the extra wiring kit for the direct battery connection the 9815 I might as well get a 7897. I'm going to install it myself. Any suggestions one way or the other?
i really like the look of the 9815.. wow. very cool.
Feb 17, 2004 | 07:59 AM
#39
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 840
Likes: 1
From: Martha's Vineyard Island, MA
Originally Posted by lee
i realized i never plugged the awesome shop that put this in for me. if you live in the boston area and need this kind of work done, or navigation / alarm / remote starting system installs, go here:
Precision Sound
81 Bridge Street RT 109
Dedham, MA 02026
they did a terrific job.
Precision Sound
81 Bridge Street RT 109
Dedham, MA 02026
they did a terrific job.
With all due respect to your experience and the happiness derived there of, I have yet to see a stereo shop that does a quality installation and I would never let one of those places install anything for me. If you are knowledgeable about electrical wiring and know what quality work looks like, then I respect your praise of the shop that did your work; however, I would bet that if you look behind the dash and door panels, you will find anything but soldered connections, shrink tubing, neat routing of the wires, etc. I am not flaming you in any way I am just saying this as a caution to anyone who might go to this shop on your recommendation and not have the same warm fuzzy feeling afterwards and then get pissed off at you. You need to always end something like this with some sort of a disclaimer (YMMV) and especially if you are the only one with the experience. JM2C
Feb 17, 2004 | 08:36 AM
#40
Contributing Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 0
From: Bethlehem, GA
I got a set of the CDT-CL-61a's from thezeb.com and let me tell you for $149 and free shipping, there is not anything out there that can touch these comps for the money. I installed an Avionixx 440.4 to power these and all I can say is wow. The mids and highs are spectacular! I have the Alpine CDA-9813 with the time correction feature, once I figured it out (via the Alpine Website) I was truly impressed! If you need a hand configuring the HU, let me know. WOOOOHOOOOOO!!!! 
