Foreword: Everything I know about car stereo systems I learned in the last 3 days, so I don't know much.
The antiquated CD changer died in my car, and after some thought I decided it would be best to replacing everything, but funds won't allow me to do it all in one shot, so first a CD HU (I'll get another CD changer later) to replace the 10 y.o. Panasonic cassette. There is an equally antiquated amp'ed 8 speaker system (2 6x9 woofers, 2 4" woofers, 2 satellite mids, 2 1" tweters) that I'll use for now. BTW, the amp/speaker system is from 1986 and is unimpressive.
I've narrowed down my options to these HU's so far based on MY criteria:
Kenwood EZ-500
Kenwood KDC-MP4028
Kenwood KDC-MP5028
Kenwood KDC-MP628
Kenwood Excelon KDC-X589
Pioneer DEH-P7700MP
Pioneer DEH-P3700MP
Pioneer DEH-P4700MP
Pioneer DEH-P6700MP
BTW, my criteria:
- Under $250
- Has CD changer controls
- Receiver Amp RMS of 20x4 minimum (to possibly get away from an amp all together)
- Minimum of 2 preamp outputs, just in case
- CD, CDR/W, & MP3 playback
- At least 3 Eq bands and multiple preset curves
- CD SNR of 95dB or or more (Pioneers are 94dB)... shootin' for the highest my $250 can buy.
- FM Sensitivity of 11 dBf or less (The JVCs are 11.3)... again, shootin' for the lowest my $250 can buy.
I realize a lot of folks prefer other manufacturers, but these are the ones that meet my req's.
Got an opinion? One of my friends does not think highly of Kenwood ("cr@p", was his term).
TIA!!
The antiquated CD changer died in my car, and after some thought I decided it would be best to replacing everything, but funds won't allow me to do it all in one shot, so first a CD HU (I'll get another CD changer later) to replace the 10 y.o. Panasonic cassette. There is an equally antiquated amp'ed 8 speaker system (2 6x9 woofers, 2 4" woofers, 2 satellite mids, 2 1" tweters) that I'll use for now. BTW, the amp/speaker system is from 1986 and is unimpressive.
I've narrowed down my options to these HU's so far based on MY criteria:
Kenwood EZ-500
Kenwood KDC-MP4028
Kenwood KDC-MP5028
Kenwood KDC-MP628
Kenwood Excelon KDC-X589
Pioneer DEH-P7700MP
Pioneer DEH-P3700MP
Pioneer DEH-P4700MP
Pioneer DEH-P6700MP
BTW, my criteria:
- Under $250
- Has CD changer controls
- Receiver Amp RMS of 20x4 minimum (to possibly get away from an amp all together)
- Minimum of 2 preamp outputs, just in case
- CD, CDR/W, & MP3 playback
- At least 3 Eq bands and multiple preset curves
- CD SNR of 95dB or or more (Pioneers are 94dB)... shootin' for the highest my $250 can buy.
- FM Sensitivity of 11 dBf or less (The JVCs are 11.3)... again, shootin' for the lowest my $250 can buy.
I realize a lot of folks prefer other manufacturers, but these are the ones that meet my req's.
Got an opinion? One of my friends does not think highly of Kenwood ("cr@p", was his term).
TIA!!