I have a pioneer reciver, its ok, its not the worst but not the best, i'm going to upgrade it after i get my new subs and amp, what is the best reciver for under $500 dollars?

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191(3.1)V6 1992 Pontiac Firebird,K&N drop in filter, bosch patinum spark plugs, Pioneer reciver, kenwood 4x6's, sony xplod 6x9's, two kenwood tornado 12's with a 300 watt jenson running them, check it out at www.geocities.com/my_92firebird

 

OK, maybe i'm biased, but i think that eclipse makes the best head units available. Good power, incredible SQ, many features, and flawless operation. There's probably a reason why Eclipse dominates IASCA competitions year in and year out. But don't take my word for it. Go to several shops, ask the people in there, and listen for yourself. You can get quite a good HU for $500 if you look around. Good luck!!

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DG

1984 Z28 LG4/A4
Mods: are you kidding? They cost money.
Powered by Eclipse, Kicker, and MB Quart.

 

There are just too many good quality units out there with a myrad of different features to declare a clear winner. There are dozens that will fit your specific needs, and any are likely to provide good results.

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The IROC Homepage
<A HREF="http://www.rit.edu/~jli4307/camaro" TARGET=_blank>
View the restoration of an 85 IROC</A>
"I didn't know a bored out Ford could go so slow" -Shenandoah

 

i like my pioneer 8200 for around $300. it sounds great, and the graphics amaze people when they see it.

 

After suffering with my Sony Mobile ES deck, my next one will be a Kenwood Excelon.

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-Justin-
T-Top '86 5.0L LG4 700R4 WS6 Now Bilstein equipped!
T-Top '92 5.0L TBI 700R4
My '86 Firebird Homepage
The F-body Model Kit Pictoral Archive (updated 9/18/00)

There can be only one!!

 

I have a Kenwood Excelon PS907 in my IROC that works great, but the remote has been pissing through batteries lately. I'm especially fond of Alpine decks. Unfortunately, I hate the way that 99% of the decks on the market look. I think that pioneer (sorry) along with most Sony, JVC, Alpine, and especially Panasonic all look horrible. They are too colorful, and too busy with jumping graphics. They remind me of those stupid looking mini systems that are popping up all over the place. I think the new Kenwoods are about the only line right now that looks decent, but for quality, I'm gung-ho over Alpine. I'm probably going to be picking up an alpine deck very shortly. The 7863 most likely. Maybe I'll just hold out for the Nak 5 disk single DIN head unit that I've been lusting after for the last 2 years

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The IROC Homepage
<A HREF="http://www.rit.edu/~jli4307/camaro" TARGET=_blank>
View the restoration of an 85 IROC</A>
"I didn't know a bored out Ford could go so slow" -Shenandoah

 

if you want the best, then ECLIPSE is what you want. my friend got a 5303 for $430 about a year ago. it is by far the best sounding deck i have ever heard. i think the major car audio magazines consistently rate eclpise decks at #1. the local car audio shops round hear, the owners/installers use ecplise in their cars when they are authorized by alpine, sony and kenwood. i think it says alot when an installer chooses that brand over all the other ones he sells. if you cant find a suitable eclipse, then kenwood excelon makes some fine decks.

daniel

 

I agree, Nakamichi is great.. but pretty expensive

 

I heard that the nak 5 cd in deck changer has had A LOT of problems. I was interested in it and I asked questions to some of the local audio shops. Most of them told me they where getting cd's stuck in the deck and they couldnt get them out. Anyone else here horror stories about these????



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www.350iroc-z.com

 

I heard they skip, but don't take my word for it. I know they make some great stuff.

I have an eXcelon X811. It's a great sounding, extremely versatile and function-packed unit. It's also very clean looking. I think the majority of units out there are way way too gaudy.

Jim85iroc: Get the creditcard remote PN# KCA-R6A. The remote that came with my unit was dead in one month, but the credit card remote is still using the battery it came with 18 months later.
Only drawback is the range is shorter: only about 7 to 10 feet. Oh, and it doesn't have an attenuate button. My original remote could hit it from about 25 feet away, which was great at the park.

 

Kenwood eXcelon KDC-X815. For right at $500.00 you cant beat it. More USUABLE options than you know what to do with!!

 

Jza, my deck came with the credit card remote. I went through 2 batteries in the first 6 months, and my last battery lasted 4 days. I think it was just a crap battery though.

In other news, I got my new Alpine 7863 installed in my SC and I love it!!!!!!!!

------------------
The IROC Homepage
<A HREF="http://www.rit.edu/~jli4307/camaro" TARGET=_blank>
View the restoration of an 85 IROC</A>
"I didn't know a bored out Ford could go so slow" -Shenandoah

 

Eclipse its more like E-Skips, My best friend runs a local stereo shop here and they quit carrying E-Skips, cause customers were bringing them back and wanting a refund.
Go with a winner ALPINE I have the 7839 in my IROC never skips sounds great plays burned Cd's and the batteries in the remote are the same ones from 2 years ago. By the way if you end up having a problem with your E-Skips head unit after you purchase it there customer service sucks.

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'87 IROC
ALPINE 7839 head unit
ALPINE EQ
MTX Amps
2 JL Audio 10's
and lots more to come...

 

i hate the eclipse 5303. I had two and both had display problems and the sound uality is just as good as my excellon 815 and it is cheaper comes with red illum (firebird) and has more optons. I love it and the mask is cool looking with the new matching polished surround i made. I can show pics if you want.

 

DO SHOW!

 

No Clarion fans here? I know that most of your SPL competitors use this as a head unit and I like them VERY well. just my $.02

 

ALPINE

 

Try ALPINE, I am very happy with my CDA-7965. I would go with a head unit that does not power speakers but has three sets of rca outputs. Also go with a 4v out deck and your amps will be very pleased. Check out new decks ( I would steer clear of used ) on E-bay but make sure seller has very good responses. Hope your system works out satisfactory.

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1987 T.A.
4 bolt 40 over MSD 6al BBK/EDL throttle body Accel coil, wires Compu Cam Roller roc K&N filter Jet custom chip Removed screens and cooling fins on M.A.F. Ported Corvette heads 700r4 shift kit 40+ 4th gear 2300 stall Stock GTA rims with 255/50/16 rear 245/50/16 front Z rated comp ta's

 

sorry i cannot take the pics. last wednesday my car was broken into. My stereo and amp were stolen and the dash was ripped apart. The idiots even broke the stereo stealing it by ripping the dc-dcconverter off the back. The window is broke and my door is ruined. The morons used a crow bar and i guess accidentally broke the window prying on the top of the door.

 

sorry to hear about the break in duha,I hope you can find out who it was and exercise appropriate revenge!!!

as for best reciever....hmmm.......I just put an alpine 7861 in my sister's car for $275,nice radio, alhtough for $900 you can get alpines "complete" tape/CD/am/fm unit double din, eq and all!! that's a phat A$$ reciever if you ask me.