Hey guys, I'm new to the whole sound system thing and I'm looking at upgrading my head unit. Right now I have the Stock 97 HK system in my car, I'm pretty happy with it, but not as happy as I was when I first bought the car. The more I listen to it, the more it seems to be missing something.

I want something with an easy to use interface, good looks and full ipod integration. It would be even better if I could keep my Cd changer(it's the factory 6 disc alpine unit).

Right now I'm looking at the Alpine CDA-9857, it seems pretty nicely featured, but then again I know precisely nothing about stereo specs. I was hoping you guys could help me out here.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-unPromSBryD/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=280150&tab=detailed_info&i=500CDA9857#Tab

Is this a good unit to buy? Is there something equivalent I can get for cheaper, or anywhere I can get this one cheaper?

Thanks for looking.

Hey guys, I'm new to the whole sound system thing and I'm looking at upgrading my head unit. Right now I have the Stock 97 HK system in my car, I'm pretty happy with it, but not as happy as I was when I first bought the car. The more I listen to it, the more it seems to be missing something.

I want something with an easy to use interface, good looks and full ipod integration. It would be even better if I could keep my Cd changer(it's the factory 6 disc alpine unit).

Right now I'm looking at the Alpine CDA-9857, it seems pretty nicely featured, but then again I know precisely nothing about stereo specs. I was hoping you guys could help me out here.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-unPromSBryD/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=280150&tab=detailed_info&i=500CDA9857#Tab

Is this a good unit to buy? Is there something equivalent I can get for cheaper, or anywhere I can get this one cheaper?

Thanks for looking.

Good choice! I myself had this unit in my Mustang before switching to an Eclipse double din touch screen dvd unit. I was very pleased with it and that price it good since it retails for $400.00. Getting it from an authorized dealer like Crutchfield is a good idea, rather that some of these fly by night ebay sellers who aren't authorized and could be selling refurb or used equipment. I would only go through an authorized dealer. That unit was my first Alpine and I enjoyed it. I have been in fact eying another one to put in my truck.

I've had quite a few Alpine units over the years. I don't miss a single one of them. Short of their ultra high end decks they are all so MEH looking. None of them really look like they belong in a BMW either. They are all this out of place thing in the dash....

On a less opinion based note.. there are better options for the price.

On a less opinion based note.. there are better options for the price.

Would you mind telling me a few? I mainly went with the Alpine because I figured it would work with the CD changer.

Would you mind telling me a few? I mainly went with the Alpine because I figured it would work with the CD changer.

Telling you a few digs deep into my opinions, and for which others will likely disagree because of thier own. I don't feel like getting into that.

As for the figuring on your behalf about the changer compatability.. it won't work so don't buy it under that false pretense.

Tell us.. exactly what do you NEED from your ideal HU? Are you planning on running speakers off its internal amp or running real amps?

Telling you a few digs deep into my opinions, and for which others will likely disagree because of thier own. I don't feel like getting into that.

As for the figuring on your behalf about the changer compatability.. it won't work so don't buy it under that false pretense.

Tell us.. exactly what do you NEED from your ideal HU? Are you planning on running speakers off its internal amp or running real amps?

The Alpine Changer won't work with an Alpine Head Unit?

Okay, Then I need:
- Simple good looking layout, not scattered with tiny buttons. Not plain black ugliness like the Nakamichi CD-400
- CD Player built in, I don't always have time to go update my Ipod every time I get a hold of a new cd, needs a cd player built in.
- Ipod Connection, and hopefully full integration and control, so I'm not fumbling with my ipod on the road.
-Good Clean sound, right now I'm going to be running off it's internal amp(or the HK Amp if that's possible), but I am looking into upgrading the rest of the system down the line.

$350 limit, preferably under 300.

Not plain black ugliness like the Nakamichi CD-400
If you cannot appreciate the simplistic non fanciful design on Nakamichi decks then I cannot help you find something more suitable for your BMW. As previously stated gawdy designs of most decks prevent me from ever considering them as a possible canidate.

If you cannot appreciate the simplistic non fanciful design on Nakamichi decks then I cannot help you find something more suitable for your BMW. As previously stated gawdy designs of most decks prevent me from ever considering them as a possible canidate.

http://www.itrsport.com/pictures/04_aug_ipod/12_640.jpg

To me that screams cheap plastic, it reminds me of the stock toyota unit in our 92 pickup. Thanks for the comments anyway.

Last I checked almost all HU's are cast in the same plastic. What dyes are impregnated into it to make it look like its worth more is a different story.

Of course none of that really matters. I'm cool with that. I'll be quite satisfied the day I walk up to my car and note the car behind me is missing its window and a $250 fancy and expensive looking Alpine, and my $600 Nak deck was passed over because it looks like a stock item.

I'm not sure what else to tell ya. Best of luck finding something to suit your tastes. OE style with audiophile quaility FTW!
http://oldmary.lqhome.com/%7Ejordansarette/coppermine/albums/e36Project/2006/August%202006/thumb_082406-004.JPG (http://oldmary.lqhome.com/%7Ejordansarette/coppermine/albums/e36Project/2006/August%202006/082406-004.JPG)

Great unit! Have this running with 2 12" Apline Type's subs and its connected to the ipod. It took me 5 minutes to get used to it and its very handy with searching through 3000 songs. I would highly recommend this headunit.

Plus it matches the interior VERY well.

Great unit! Plus it matches the interior VERY well.Could you tell me on what grounds it is that you base this opinion please?

http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/products/2006/500/x500CDA9857-f_.jpeg

Can you tell me where it is you have silver/brushed aluminum in your car... or where you have buttons that light up blue and green.. or displays that light up that color, or buttons that shape, etc? I think I make my point....

Don't let that discourage you though man. If you like the deck, and can live with its sore thumb appearance, then buy it and be happy with it.

There is another Alpine deck that uses the "Full Speed" ipod adapter. CDA-9856. It's a little less $$ and has a slightly different color (more gunmetal than black). For the difference in price, you're better off with the CDA-9857. It adds the capability for SAT radio and has 3 preouts instead of 1. These may become important to you if you do upgrade to aftermarket amps.

None of the Alpine decks, or any other aftermarket decks, will interface with a factory changer. I do not believe there is an adapter made.

I agree that the Nak deck looks the most like factory in the dash. I had one for years. They also have the best audio performance. But, they are not feature rich. The CD400 does have an AUX input which could be used with your ipod but you'd still have to use the ipod's controls and display. The AUX in does not keep the ipod's battery charged. And the Nak decks have no SAT radio capability.

I switched from the Nak to an Alpine because I wanted XM radio integrated. I became willing to give up some performance to gain some convenience.

So, it depends on what your priorities are. Sounds like you want convenience too. The Alpine is a good choice for you.

To give you some perspective, our store is an authorized dealer for both Alpine and Nakamichi. And, I have used both in simple and very sophisticated systems. Both my own and those of customers.

Jay

There is another Alpine deck that uses the "Full Speed" ipod adapter. CDA-9856. It's a little less $$ and has a slightly different color (more gunmetal than black). For the difference in price, you're better off with the CDA-9857. It adds the capability for SAT radio and has 3 preouts instead of 1. These may become important to you if you do upgrade to aftermarket amps.

None of the Alpine decks, or any other aftermarket decks, will interface with a factory changer. I do not believe there is an adapter made.

I agree that the Nak deck looks the most like factory in the dash. I had one for years. They also have the best audio performance. But, they are not feature rich. The CD400 does have an AUX input which could be used with your ipod but you'd still have to use the ipod's controls and display. The AUX in does not keep the ipod's battery charged. And the Nak decks have no SAT radio capability.

I switched from the Nak to an Alpine because I wanted XM radio integrated. I became willing to give up some performance to gain some convenience.

So, it depends on what your priorities are. Sounds like you want convenience too. The Alpine is a good choice for you.

To give you some perspective, our store is an authorized dealer for both Alpine and Nakamichi. And, I have used both in simple and very sophisticated systems. Both my own and those of customers.

Jay

I agree! I am an authorized Alpine dealer as well and have never owned a Nak but I respect them. I just can't spend that kind of money knowing the unit I just installed looks so much like a stock head unit. Sure the sound quality is there etc but I am a semi visual person. I don't like to go all out with graphics and bright colors but I do like some slight change. I really liked Eclipse units up until about 2 or 3 years ago when they went on this colorful streak. However they are still very nice sounding units. I liked them when they were all black with green lighting and looked simple and easy to operate. I would have to say my 3 favorite head units would have to be Alpine, Eclipse, and Pioneer. Pioneer tends to go a little overboard with the colors and graphics but damn they hold up so well. To me their sound quality is sub standard compared to the Alpine and Eclipse but they are still decent units. I have recently started gaining more respect again for some of the Kenwood line however I still don't think I would own one.

There is another Alpine deck that uses the "Full Speed" ipod adapter. CDA-9856. It's a little less $$ and has a slightly different color (more gunmetal than black). For the difference in price, you're better off with the CDA-9857. It adds the capability for SAT radio and has 3 preouts instead of 1. These may become important to you if you do upgrade to aftermarket amps.

Jay

The 9856 will do sat radio also and has 3 preouts as well. Youre paying for the screen and a remote on the 9857

The 9856 will do sat radio also and has 3 preouts as well. Youre paying for the screen and a remote on the 9857

I'm going off memory and don't have any lit at home. It's bad when I go off memory. I'll trust you are correct.

Jay

yes, i have the 9856 in my car and im happy with it. It has 3 outputs as well, it's the 9852 that only has 1 output. I think it matches decently with that car's interior, and the sound is really good. I chose the 9856 becuase i am planning on adding more to my sound system later on, which is why i wanted the 3 preouts, and it was only $20 more than the 9852. The 9857 is practically the same as the 9856 eccept you get the nicer display, and it comes if a remote, but for an extra $150 i decided to stick with the 9856.

I just got a 9856 and I'm happy with it, it matches the dash pretty well

I do not like the look of the Nakamichi at all, at least the one linked does not match the dash at all

the old alpines would let you change the color to amber like the cluster, wish the new ones did

Just installed my Alpine 9835 and it matches damn well with my interior. It replaced my Clarion DXZ735MP, which also matched really really well.

Feature-wise I've heard that the 9857 isn't that great. However, I'm only just starting to learn about audio. I got the 9835 because audiophiles said it was a good unit, lots of features, lots of settings. The 9855 has the same features but uses Glidetouch (no buttons like the 9835) which takes some getting used to.

If you're not going to change your HK system, then I think you should get whatever matches best with your interior if you care about that sort of thing. Doubt you would hear the difference between having a 9857 and a 9835. But if you plan to upgrade in the future, go for one with decent specs.

the 9857 has just about everything, it can take ipod, hdraido, sirus, xm, 3 preeouts (which is the min for me)

I just got a 9856 and I'm happy with it, it matches the dash pretty well. I do not like the look of the Nakamichi at all, at least the one linked does not match the dash at all

I'm glad you are sort of happy with your headunit. However.. please explain how it an Alpine 9856:
http://www.superstyling.no/shop/images/cda-9856%20copy.gif
Matches better then a Nakamichi CD-500: (click to enlarge)
http://oldmary.lqhome.com/%7Ejordansarette/coppermine/albums/e36Project/2006/August%202006/normal_082406-004.JPG (http://oldmary.lqhome.com/%7Ejordansarette/coppermine/albums/e36Project/2006/August%202006/082406-004.JPG)http://oldmary.lqhome.com/%7Ejordansarette/coppermine/albums/e36Project/2006/September2006/normal_090406-001.JPG (http://oldmary.lqhome.com/%7Ejordansarette/coppermine/albums/e36Project/2006/September2006/090406-001.JPG)

JVC Ar-5500

Ipod ready, Sirius ready, GREAT unit, and looks FACTORY in the e36 when illumination is set to amber

JVC Ar-5500

Ipod ready, Sirius ready, GREAT unit, and looks FACTORY in the e36 when illumination is set to amberMan speaking from a cosmetic point of view... alot of you here have really bad taste in headunits.

Man speaking from a cosmetic point of view... alot of you here have really bad taste in headunits.

If all your going to do is comment on how bad everyone elses choices are, please stop spamming my thread. The Plastic on your nakamichi DOES NOT match the rest of the plastic in your interior, it does not look stock at all, it looks cheap. I did some more research thanks to your rave reviews and on hearing about the horrible customer service, and renowned fragility of the Nakamichi units, I am no longer even mildly interested in it.

You weren't interested in one to begin with. They are way over your intended budget, and they don't have all the precious features you want.

I was never trying to convince you to buy one, but to acknowledge the other choices sucked as far as matching goes. Any Nak deck is going to match infinately better then any offering from Alpine current or ancient. I've owned several high end Alpine HU's, and like I said... don't miss any of them.

I think your point has been made that you like the Nak units better and that you think they match the BMW interior the best, however not everyone likes the plain stock look and I think this guy has his mind set on something along the lines of the Alpine.

Which is fine.... He still hasn't made any attempt to explain why it is he feels it matches better. Thats the point. I can't think like him, so I need him to explain how he got to where he is. Make sense?

Which is fine.... He still hasn't made any attempt to explain why it is he feels it matches better. Thats the point. I can't think like him, so I need him to explain how he got to where he is. Make sense?

I don't think anything but a stock BMW unit such as a trafficpro is going to exactly match the dash. The hue of the plastics will be off, the shine will be different, etc. Unless it was made out of the exact same plastic that BMW uses, using the same dyes and textures. Seeing as how nothing will match, I may as well go with something that looks attractive on it's own merits, rather than it sorta kinda matches the interior because they are both black on orange.

Happy?

I just bought the 9857 and I absolutely love it. By far the best ipod integration available. I bought mine at best buy and installed it myself. Best Buy gave me 10% off. You just need to ask. Good luck and let me know what you go with. Oh, and don't worry about the Nakamichi snobs out there. To me they don't look very factory at all. You will love the Alpine.

Mike

http://images.americanas.com.br/produtos/item/247/1/247142g.gif

How does it not fit?

When set to negitive, amber, and dimmer, the headunit matches the e36 interior PERFECTLY.

Not to mention, it has 5v pre-outs, sirius and ipod ready, and has the ability to play programmed videos at idle, neat, non-ricey bmw videos are what i play.

I really dont understand what is so awful about it? It looks very similar to a traffic pro in person, and fits the e36 perfectly.

http://images.americanas.com.br/produtos/item/247/1/247142g.gif

How does it not fit?

When set to negitive, amber, and dimmer, the headunit matches the e36 interior PERFECTLY.

Not to mention, it has 5v pre-outs, sirius and ipod ready, and has the ability to play programmed videos at idle, neat, non-ricey bmw videos are what i play.

I really dont understand what is so awful about it? It looks very similar to a traffic pro in person, and fits the e36 perfectly.

How much does this HU cost? It looks awesome to me. I searched Crutchfield (none in stock, no price given) and Ebay (only one came up and it's a BuyItNow for $319!!).

Also, which will provide better sound: the Alpines mentioned throughout this thread, preferably the Alpine 9856, or the AR5500?

http://images.americanas.com.br/produtos/item/247/1/247142g.gif

How does it not fit?

When set to negitive, amber, and dimmer, the headunit matches the e36 interior PERFECTLY.

Not to mention, it has 5v pre-outs, sirius and ipod ready, and has the ability to play programmed videos at idle, neat, non-ricey bmw videos are what i play.

I really dont understand what is so awful about it? It looks very similar to a traffic pro in person, and fits the e36 perfectly.

can you post pics of it at night? i think it would look good, probably better than the Nak, with it simplistic design.

although, im not really a fan of JVC decks....or anything JVC for that matter
how is the ipod integration?

i have the old version of this unit right now. great unit but its hard to learn funtions and hard to change settings. sounds great though i have two friends with it and they love it