Opinions on Alpine CDA-7897

[nda0602v6]

I was checking out the CDA-7897 that has that oversized face that fully retracts and a few questions came to mind...

How dependable would such a mechanism like that be over time with careful-normal use? (Careful obviously meaning I wouldn't hang on it or something). Just seems like a lot of moving parts and what not going on inside that could bust or strip out.

Other than that, it looks like a very nice high end unit. I'm still in the process of saving and planned on buying a mid line cd-player in the 200-300 range but I changed my mind lol.

[96firebird311]

It was one of my choices when I was shopping for a new headunit. It came down to the 7897 or the Premier P940MP. I went with the Premier. Love it. I think you can now get them both for about the same price. The Premier comes with 6V RCAs. Just a note over the 7897.

[T-Punk]

Then there is eclipse with their 8V/16V preamps. Only drawback to eclipse is no MP3 unless you go with a lower model or dish out some dough for the commander unit that plugs into the HU. Honestly Alpine is my favorite HU other than eclipse. i had three alpines before i moved to eclipse (there is a deffinate difference) but alpine still makes a damn fine HU. I had a poineer die on me and have never used another one since. Not saying they suck but it didnt work for me.

[LARRYfireBIRD33]

That's not true, the new model eclipses DO PLAY MP3's. I think the old 8443 is now their 8454 (not 100% on that one though).

[jamie]

the premier volts aren't probably what they are rated.

[LARRYfireBIRD33]

there was a test done with the eclipse decks also that said they weren't what they were rated. However, if you are using an aftermarket amplifier, most can only handle 4 volts input anyways from what I understand.

[nda0602v6]

Originally posted by LARRYfireBIRD33:
there was a test done with the eclipse decks also that said they weren't what they were rated. However, if you are using an aftermarket amplifier, most can only handle 4 volts input anyways from what I understand.

Interesting
So more than 4 volts will damage an amp?

[96firebird311]

Originally posted by jamie:
the premier volts aren't probably what they are rated.

Oh really? Please do expand on this....

Originally posted by nda0602v6:
Interesting
So more than 4 volts will damage an amp?

He's not falling for that. ;)

[BigMoneyAnt]

Its an awesome HU. Ive had mine for a few months now with absolutely no problems. It will remember how you like it angled too...which is very convenient. When you turn the car on or crank it up, it will take care of everything for you. You don't even have to hit anything. Its a great buy.

[jamie]

they just rate theirs in a different method and it doesn't come out to the true method rating that other cd players keep as a standard. blah blah blah.

[T-Punk]

Damn eclipse has new models again, i gotta get a new catalog then cause i have really been wanting mp3's and cant afford the commander, but i can sell my 8443 and get the new one for a little extra i bet. Thanks for the info. And yeah a lot of companies do overate their voltage but its usually not a huge exageration.

[LARRYfireBIRD33]

yeah, here's a link to the new version of the 8443 that plays MP3's.
http://www.eclipse-web.com/index_cd.html
NDA - sorry to kinda steal the thread. My friend has that headunit and loves it. It made is stock speaker corolla sound 10x better.

[96firebird311]

Originally posted by jamie:
they just rate theirs in a different method and it doesn't come out to the true method rating that other cd players keep as a standard. blah blah blah.

[img]graemlins/rofl.gif[/img] Where did you pull this from? Do you have a personal vendetta against Pioneer or something?

[nda0602v6]

Originally posted by LARRYfireBIRD33:

NDA - sorry to kinda steal the thread. My friend has that headunit and loves it. It made is stock speaker corolla sound 10x better.

Hey no problem. I have used Eclipse once before years ago, I can't remember the exact model number but it was an Eclipse 410 w/ESN or something like that. I was very happy with it.

I'll prob. end up going with the Alpine. This will be my first alpine product so I hope all goes well.

[jamie]

Originally posted by 96firebird311:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by jamie:
they just rate theirs in a different method and it doesn't come out to the true method rating that other cd players keep as a standard. blah blah blah.

[img]graemlins/rofl.gif[/img] Where did you pull this from? Do you have a personal vendetta against Pioneer or something? </font>[/QUOTE]just about every company overrates their advertised voltage output. it all just depends on what it is.
a lot of times it comes out to around 2 volts on the preouts.

i'm pretty sure eclipse is generally right on the mark with theirs, as is alpine.
pioneer has gotten pretty good and i wouldnt' doubt that they are close to that.

anything else probably won't be close.


and if you're going alpine and want "cheap," the 9831 is a monster for it.
i just got ripped off on ebay for a 9835 though. :(
430$ gone, i think.