Are there car units without all the bells & whistles??

Tonto Yoder · « **on:** 13 Jun 2003, 10:10 pm »

Just recently put a new Radio Shack CD player in a newly purchased van, but I really miss rotary knobs and a simple layout I can use without actually looking at the unit. But all these tiny little buttons are driving me crazy.

Brad · « **Reply #1 on:** 13 Jun 2003, 11:37 pm »

The McIntosh Head unit is about the only one I've seen with a clean interface. It's pretty pricy though.

I think there's a market there for a nice tuner/preamp/cd player.

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #2 on:** 14 Jun 2003, 12:27 am »

Thanks Brad,
that McIntosh really looks nice--right up my alley if it was raesonably priced (which I imagine it's not).

I might even listen to the radio if I could dial in the station with a rotary knob (that gyro-tuning of the classic Marantz home receivers would be nice!)

Carlman · « **Reply #3 on:** 16 Jun 2003, 03:26 pm »

The Nakamichi CD400 is pretty nice, clean and simple....

Johng316 · « **Reply #4 on:** 16 Jun 2003, 10:45 pm »

Quote from: Carlman

The Nakamichi CD400 is pretty nice, clean and simple....

Agree with Carlman. The Nakamichi decks look fairly staight forward, and Denon has some decks that are pretty simple as well. Nak and Denon also have a great rep for being very good sound quality.

Eclipse decks are also comparatively minimalistic. Not as simple as Mcintosh, but WAY more affordable.

Good luck!

John

bob82274 · « **Reply #5 on:** 16 Jun 2003, 10:56 pm »

I don't know about the Naki's but the Denon decks are Japan only now so you will need to find an place to import them. But I agree that they look great.

nathanm · « **Reply #6 on:** 23 Jun 2003, 07:23 pm »

Ah-HA! The legion grows! Let's see...that brings the grand total of people I know of who hate modern car stereos up to about a dozen. If we can just squeeze in a few thousand more maybe the industry will take notice... not holding my breath on this however!

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #7 on:** 2 Jul 2003, 11:16 am »

What if each of the twelve people buys 100 units each??? Could redistribute them as gifts for Xmas, graduation etc.???

grub · « **Reply #8 on:** 2 Jul 2003, 03:39 pm »

I'm with you guys on the head units.
I just got a new CD deck a couple weeks ago, and I specifically got the simplest unit at the store (minimal eye candy). Even so, it came with a remote so you can actually press the button your aiming for without hitting 4 other ones!

I can't believe how far the deck manufacturers have fallen. They've got stereos with screen savers and shit now, along with one that you can load pictures into to display as a slideshow.........who the hell needs all that bullshit?

I'll take good sound anyday (with a tuner too, sorry Nate)
-->grub

rosconey · « **Reply #9 on:** 15 Sep 2003, 10:30 pm »

just put a pioneer in my truck , 119$ at wallwort.
nice and simple no extra screen crap , presets are small and volume is controled by up down buttons.decent cd player also.50 x 4 max ( 22)

jackman · « **Reply #10 on:** 15 Sep 2003, 10:38 pm »

Hey, count me in! Actually, I need to upgrade the stock stereo in my new BMW. I like the head unit, but it needs more power and a decent (tight) subwoofer. No big boxes are going in my trunk, hopefully, I can get one that will mount on the deck lid.

Any car stereo guru's out there with suggestions, please advise.

J

PS-sorry if I hijacked the thread. I agree, most units are just bells and whistles. I need to find the "Van Alstine" of car audio!

Johng316 · « **Reply #11 on:** 16 Sep 2003, 02:47 pm »

Sorry, JMan... just like in home audio, you need to have an enclosure for a sub driver. The smallest enclosures are still going to be about .75 cu ft.

Some people mount sub drivers in the rear deck behind the back seat and use the trunk space itself as the enclosure (infinite baffle setup), but to do this, you have to completely seal your trunk.

I'll probably put a small box in my trunk that is removable, and I'll take it out if I need the trunk space.

Good luck,

John G

jackman · « **Reply #12 on:** 16 Sep 2003, 03:34 pm »

Thanks, I'm not looking to break any spl records for sub 20 hz bass, just want to improve things. I need to get someone local to look at the system and make a recommendation. Need a more powerful amp and better bass. The stock system falls apart when the volume goes up...

J

Carlman · « **Reply #13 on:** 16 Sep 2003, 06:32 pm »

The enclusure will improve the net sound quality as much or more than increased SPL created.

You could do something like this...

In any case, I've had good luck myself and in recommending Crutchfield. Buy the parts and use an installer they recommend.