I'm going to buy a 1.5 din cd player. Should I be so down on pioneer when comparing it to the alpine. Anyone have any experience with these. The pioneer seems to have some great features and I would love the 3 pre-outs but Alpine seems more reputable to me. Am I way off? Thanks.I'm looking at the higher end models of the two brands.

 

Alpine, Alpine, ALPINE!!

I have yet to see a pioneer that actually lasts more than three years. For some people that is good enough, because they turn over system components so quickly, but once I find a head unit I actually like (a challenge for me) I want to keep it. At the ski resort I work at, we have 12 snow cats, and they all came with pioneer CD player head units. NONE of them has lasted more than 2 years. I replace them with Sony, because they are the cheapest CD player I can get from Crutchfield.

As for my Alpine experience, I've had three. The first was a 7502 (I think) tape player. I had it for 7 satisfied years, and then sold the car with the unit. I then had a 7534s in my car for about 8 very satisfied years and it got stolen along with the Alpine CD changer. I was totally bummed, because I liked the 7534s SO MUCH for it's logical, straight forward face plate, and relible operation. Plus in the mean time, I had been given a used 7532 (almost identical) for my winter vehicle from a friend. This meant that I could use one CD changer in both vehicles, and have the same familiar faceplate in both vehicles. Very convenient. So after being totally disgusted with the appearance and lay out of the face plates on the current models, I bought another 7534s and matching CD changer off Ebay. I've had that in my car for just over a year now, and once again, I'm VERY happy with everything about it. I would never buy any brand of head unit other than Alpine or Nakamichi. It's not worth the frustration, and you'll end up paying more anyway, when the cheap stuff breaks and you have to replace it.

[This message has been edited by Tom 400 CFI (edited May 08, 2001).]

 

ALPINE!
That is what I got..

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Mike Kenny
1991 Chevrolet Camaro RS 305 TBI
My Website
Administrator at Auto-Clubs.net
Moderator at ColoradoCamaroClubs.com

My Baby

 

What I have is in my sig and I love it....but I can tell you that everything made by Pioneer has been in the repair shop at least once since I bought it about 5 years ago.

If you have the money, go with Alpine

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92 Camaro RS, LO3, 5-spd, T-tops

Performance:
K&N Open Air Filter, Edelbrock performer TBI intake, Fastchip Prom, Timing +4 degrees, Centerforce clutch, Xact 8mm wires, SLP 1 3/4" Headers (coated), Flowmaster Catback Exhaust, Z28 Grille w/aftmkt fog lamps
Electronics:
Alpine 8030 Alarm System, Valentine One Radar Detector (How did I ever drive without one?), Pioneer DEH 7450 Head Unit w/6-pack CD changer, Pioneer DEQ 7600 Sound Processor, 2 Kenwood KAC-846 Amps powering 2 12" Pro Red subs, 2 Pioneer 6x9 and 2 MTX 4x6 speakers.
NEXT UP: TBI mods, 3.42 gears w/Torsen posi

 

Depends on budget. If you don't mind spending for Alpine then go for it.
I love my Alpine unit, I have the higher end 1.5 with the v12 t757 and f407 amps. Personally I like the fact that you can't just buy this stuff in Bestbuy. Just look at Rockford Fosgate and JBL after they started selling at Bestbuy. Pioneer seems to be the only semi respectable audio equipment that you can buy just about anywhere.
The premier pioneer series has some good stuff but I don't like the looks or the fact that they are kind of sell outs to the mass market. I like the way Alpine does buisness and sticks to what they're best at.

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, Jon (350 TBI!)
91 Red My website

 

I agree with all the above. I have an old Alpine 3554 amp and has been my Genny Pig for years and it still works just like new. Trust me I've put it through H**L.

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'87 Trans Am:
(Engine)
305 TPI
180 Degree Thermostat
JET Fan Switch
TB Bypass
Accel 300+ 8.8 Racing Wires
Accel Super Coil
Bosch Platinium Plugs
Custom Ram Air with K&N
Removed Emissions Equipment & Cat.
(Stereo)
Full Kenwood Excelon System

Member at kyfbodies.org

 

I gotta go with Alpine.

I personally like the older style Alpines, I am not too fond of all that flash they put into the new radios from Sony, Kenwood, Alpine, etc.....

All I want is a volume ****, transport controls and a clock.

I have an older Alpine CDA-7832 with 3 4Volt non-fading pre-outs and an Alpine CHA-1204 12 CD Changer.
Polk Audio 4x6 and 6x9's, Alpine 4ch Amp, Fosgate 500a2 pushing my Kenwood 12 Sub.
System is very clean, nice highs and mids and plenty of thump. There is no distortion from my system. I can crank it till it hurts and it's still crystal clear.


High Speed Run: 157mph
Best 1/4 mile run: 14.94@91.67mph
WS6 Trans Am.

View My Ride @ thirdgen.org