Tony Fernandes
July 31st 04, 05:16 AM
Find a used Sony CDX-C90 on eBay. The display is next to impossible to read
during the day, but the SQ is arguably the best. You can usually hunt
around and find one in good shape for under $500 or so.
The Nakamichi CD-700II "supposedly" corrected all the problems they
experienced with the CD-700. It sounds very sweet, too.
The CD8454 is by far the least expensive of the bunch you listed, and quite
easy on the eyes. I wouldn't go as far as to say as SQ oriented as the
rest, but many will disagree with me on that. Just FYI, if you can find an
8053, it's the same thing without the 8V preouts & memory stick so you can
program the deck via the Internet....neither of which has anything to do
with SQ & you could save even more money.
Alpine F1 is way overpriced in my opinion. It's a great multimedia setup
but in terms of SQ there's better out there.
Never heard the DRX9255, but I've heard nothing but good things about it.
Isn't the MacIntosh deck pretty much the same thing on the inside? Anyone?
Unless you have the high-end equipment and killer install to back up any of
the aforementioned decks (and the ears to hear the difference) then forget
which one sounds the best...you'll never know the difference. If that's the
case I would get the Eclipse. It's the best value and people swear by
them.
I personally own the C90 and couldn't be happier.
Tony
What's more likely? That an all-powerful mysterious god created the
universe and then decided not to give any proof of his existence? Or, that
he simply doesn't exist at all? And that we created him so that we wouldn't
have to feel so small and alone. -Eleanor Arroway, Contact
"John Dziurlaj" > wrote in message
om...
> Hey All,
>
> I am currently considering a new deck, and wanted all the input I
> could get. I currently have a "top of the bottom line deck". It has 4v
> pre, BBE, 2 band parametric, I am fairly happy with it, but I feel it
> is time for a change. For me to step up I have to put down some pretty
> cash, so I have come to the experts (grin). I have done some research
> and have narrowed down my choices to Alpine, Clarion (drz/x9255),
> Eclipse (CD8454), McIntosh, and Nakamichi. The last two decks are
> interesting, as I have never heard of them, and they are expensive as
> hell. I listen to a lot of classic rock, with some random rap mixed
> in. Well enough bull****, here are my questions:
>
> What deck will give me the best SQ period. (in the eyes of a home
> audiophile)
> What deck will give me the best SQ (in the eyes of a car audiophile)
> What deck will last? (I hear Nakamichi and McIntoshes are quite
> unreliable)
> Does an external D/A converter really help?
> Are balanced connections worth the effort?
> Is there something I am missing?
>
> I really don't want to consider decks with built in power, as that
> isn't my style, but if theres a ball busting deck that has em, I guess
> I am willing to make a small exception.
>
> Thanks for all your help guys!
>
> John
during the day, but the SQ is arguably the best. You can usually hunt
around and find one in good shape for under $500 or so.
The Nakamichi CD-700II "supposedly" corrected all the problems they
experienced with the CD-700. It sounds very sweet, too.
The CD8454 is by far the least expensive of the bunch you listed, and quite
easy on the eyes. I wouldn't go as far as to say as SQ oriented as the
rest, but many will disagree with me on that. Just FYI, if you can find an
8053, it's the same thing without the 8V preouts & memory stick so you can
program the deck via the Internet....neither of which has anything to do
with SQ & you could save even more money.
Alpine F1 is way overpriced in my opinion. It's a great multimedia setup
but in terms of SQ there's better out there.
Never heard the DRX9255, but I've heard nothing but good things about it.
Isn't the MacIntosh deck pretty much the same thing on the inside? Anyone?
Unless you have the high-end equipment and killer install to back up any of
the aforementioned decks (and the ears to hear the difference) then forget
which one sounds the best...you'll never know the difference. If that's the
case I would get the Eclipse. It's the best value and people swear by
them.
I personally own the C90 and couldn't be happier.
Tony
What's more likely? That an all-powerful mysterious god created the
universe and then decided not to give any proof of his existence? Or, that
he simply doesn't exist at all? And that we created him so that we wouldn't
have to feel so small and alone. -Eleanor Arroway, Contact
"John Dziurlaj" > wrote in message
om...
> Hey All,
>
> I am currently considering a new deck, and wanted all the input I
> could get. I currently have a "top of the bottom line deck". It has 4v
> pre, BBE, 2 band parametric, I am fairly happy with it, but I feel it
> is time for a change. For me to step up I have to put down some pretty
> cash, so I have come to the experts (grin). I have done some research
> and have narrowed down my choices to Alpine, Clarion (drz/x9255),
> Eclipse (CD8454), McIntosh, and Nakamichi. The last two decks are
> interesting, as I have never heard of them, and they are expensive as
> hell. I listen to a lot of classic rock, with some random rap mixed
> in. Well enough bull****, here are my questions:
>
> What deck will give me the best SQ period. (in the eyes of a home
> audiophile)
> What deck will give me the best SQ (in the eyes of a car audiophile)
> What deck will last? (I hear Nakamichi and McIntoshes are quite
> unreliable)
> Does an external D/A converter really help?
> Are balanced connections worth the effort?
> Is there something I am missing?
>
> I really don't want to consider decks with built in power, as that
> isn't my style, but if theres a ball busting deck that has em, I guess
> I am willing to make a small exception.
>
> Thanks for all your help guys!
>
> John