Clarion DRZ9255

[Fishy]

My old Alpine cde-7831 is on its way out so I just ordered a cda-9833($350 shipped) figuring it would have the best SQ for my application. F#1 status costs too much and I don't think my Xover can deal with Eclipse's 8V preouts.

I was all excited and happy to have finally made a decision when I came across this:

http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?icatid=317&stk_code=cladrz9255&svbname=425

I've owned a couple Alpine tuners and have always been a fan of dead-heads, but I didn't think anyone made a good tuner anymore. Is anyone familiar with this unit? Since it has an on-board 4 way crossover I could easily lose my frx456 if the Clarion has a subsonic filter option as well. I don't think I can use my PPI's sub-out anyways and still use 4 channel time alignment as its non-fading output combined with the mono output of my Xtant 1001dx would sum all the delayed signals resulting in what I would think would be some pretty muddy bass. The 24 bit Burr Brown DAC's look attractive too. Isn't that what the 7990 uses as well?

I'd be perfectly willing to cancel that 9833 and fork out the extra cash if this unit will produce even slightly better SQ. What does everybody think?

Kiki? Jonathan? anyone?

I've never owned a Clarion so I'm a bit hesitant to make that purchase. I figure I have til tomorrow morning to cancel that Alpine so some quick opinions sure would be appreciated.

thanks

-Fishy

[Fishy]

Man, I just downloaded the manual for that thing and I have to say I'm pretty excited. Unlike the Alpine it does include a subsonic filter adjustment which will allow me to remove one more link in my system(analog xover). The DRZ9255 lists for about 1300 dollars so I think that Etronics price is a pretty good one as well.

Anyone here not think this would be a substantial upgrade to my system, even over the 9833?

I'm just glad I returned my 10w6v2's so I can afford this beast.

:happy055:

-Fishy

[William from NOLA]

I personally would go for the Clarion hands down. It doesn't have an internal amp, two inputs, AND it has 7 or 8 preouts! I think I like its understated look. It reminds me of a stock radio. I'm not sure what that DC/DC "converter" does though. Last time I checked, a converter changes something :P

[nist7]

the dc/dc is not a rectifier (ac/dc), probably is a small transformer that steps up or down the voltage.

in any event, that clarion looks mighty wicked with OEM appearance. me like!

[Fishy]

I think the the 9833 has a DC/DC converter as well. I guess it may be just an external power supply that does step up the voltage(and/or down, 5 volts?) like you said, and may have some noise limiting benefits as well. I too really like the way it looks. It goes well with the "industrial look" my Xtant stuff brings to the system.

Now all I have to do is get in touch with the guys I ordered that Alpine from so I can cancel. It hasn't shipped yet, but they're closed on the weekends.

I've never purchased anything from Etronics, but I noticed it was one of the recommended sites in the FAQ section. Is that as good a place as any to buy something online? I have no idea how the warranty would work, but the price sure does seem right.

Thanks for the input guys. Much appreciated.

-Fishy

[Ryan from Ohio]

I just cant see spending that kind of cash...

[dmeyer07]

I just cant see spending that kind of cash...
Yeah, no sh@<hidden>!

[Fishy]

Yeah it is a bit pricey to say the least, but I have to get a new h/u. The volume control on mine is going and it has never played CDR's very well. Waiting ages for a track to load can be very annoying. After 20+ years messing with car audio I'm to a point where I want the best........ within reason. This unit will definitely add to the ability and ease in which I can set up and tweak my system and if it only reproduces recordings marginally better than the 9833 I think its worth the extra 470 bucks. I really don't "need" anything else in my system. I guess I could use a better sub(s), but I've tried 10w6's in my Explorer and although they had tons more output and played a bit lower they only sounded slightly better than my 10w3's at volumes that didn't totally overpower my front stage. In fact I think the w3's blend better with my Q's anyways.

I dunno. After seeing the specs/features on this unit I think I'd be kicking myself later on if I went ahead with the 9833.

-Fishy

[nist7]

so it looks like this is will be a long-term setup. in that case the extra money spent, hopefully, will be well worth it. just make sure to play the lottery occasionally.

btw, what HU are you replacing?

[Fishy]

An old alpine cde-7831.

It was near Alpine's top of the line SQ-wise at the time(400 bucks). It was one of their first units to employ 4v preouts along with the 1 bit regulated DAC's but other than that its pretty basic. It only has two sets of preouts and no xover or DSP functions except maybe that useless BBE stuff and at the moment IS POSSESSED.

:confused:

-Fishy

[Jonathan]

If you like the Clarion's features/ergonomics then don't hesitate to buy it. Clarions Proaudio line is just as good as Alpines stuff for reliability and sound quality.

A DC/DC converter performs the same task as an isolation transformer, it is used to eliminate potential noise interference that may have leaked past the diode pack in a car's alternator. I believe the ones used in head units step up, but I can't remember and don't remember the ratio either.

[Fishy]

Thanks Jonathan.

I love the way this thing looks and after reading the manual a bit

http://www.clarion.com/usa/support/manuals/index.html

I'm beginning to fall in love with this unit's features. With the 4 way Xover I'll be able to lose my Q's passive ones(they are power sucking pigs) and go with a completely active 4 way system. That in combination with the PEQ and 6 or 7 channel time correction should place me squarely in tweakazoid heaven, but then there's basic sound quality.

800 bucks is a lot to spend and I was wondering if those Burr-Brown DAC's would help produce basic SQ on par with, or close to the CDA-7990, or are the added benefits something I wouldn't even notice compared to a 9833(I think I have a pretty discerning ear).

I dunno, the thought of having all those extra Alpine bells and whistles just kinda rubs me the wrong way. I don't need to control an iPod, I don't play MP3's, I don't need a fancy display, I don't particularly like the 9833's looks, and I especially neither need nor want an internal amplifier taking up space inside my h/u.

I just want it to sound good.

That being said, is the Clarion worth the extra bucks? hmmm......

Thanks for all the input everyone. Now if I can just get Kiki to weigh in here with an F#1 perspective I should be set.

:)

-Fishy

[William from NOLA]

I'm not sure how much better it would sound, but not having an internal amplifier really saves a lot of space for better components.

You may want the MP3/WMA. At first, I thought it had been just a cool "feature", but it turns out to be pretty good IMO. I find that I can fit around 5 or 6 full cd's on a single one.

I think I'm just a huge fan of a head unit that has no internal amp lol. I was in love with that Alpine from a few years ago that had the oversized display that hid inside; no internal amp, of course :).

[Fishy]

Yeah me too, I was looking at a couple used 7998's on e-bay,

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39750&item=5765987341&rd=1

but the complexity/reliability of that Phantom Face mechanism had me me scared, so I decided to play it safe and find something new. Unfortunately, aside from the 7990 and this Clarion no one seems to offer dead heads anymore.

As a former Engineering student I'm a big fan of the K.I.S.S. credo. I don't even really like removable faceplates, but you're right, MP3/WMA capability is a feature I may want to take advantage of in the future even though I hear you sacrifice some SQ with these formats. I don't really know for sure as I'm a car audio dinosaur and have never even downloaded a song off the internet, much less made an MP3 disk.

:p

I guess there's always the iPod option. I wouldn't be able to control one with this deck, but I ought to be able to at least hook one up through one of the auxiliary inputs shouldn't I? or would I need a preamp/line driver for that.

Fishy

[Ryan from Ohio]

Keep it simple stupid?

Hehe...yes its the same format Im using. No processing outside the HU and amps...

Look into the new JVC HU's. They are awfully pretty and are function packed...

[Fishy]

I found some hi res pics of this thing:

http://slickssite.com/9255/9255front.jpg

http://slickssite.com/9255/9255atnight.jpg

others:

http://slickssite.com/9255/

I really do like its understated look. Not sure about the white display, but I've never had anything other than Alpine green. I think I'm gettin it.

Where's Kiki?

:p

-Fishy

[William from NOLA]

Awesome! That makes me want to sell my Pioneer :)

[Fishy]

Ordered it last night.

There's some limitations in the selectable crossover points. For example 200 Hz is the lowest HP setting available for the mids, but I think I can get around that by using a 6 dB slope or by using the "low" output for my 5 1/4's and the "mid" output in combination with the high pass from my 4180c for the rear stock located 6w0's. If need be I'll just keep my outboard crossover. Although the frx456 is a good, clean unit I figure the less stuff in the signal path the better. I really need some midbass drivers up front, but I'm trying to keep things looking "stock".

Well anyway I've got the Explorer pretty much torn apart in anticipation of this h/u's arrival(rear 6w0 install) and figured this was a good a time as any to add a bit more sound deadening. Since I'm limited to a 5 1/4" front stage I've got a couple questions about sound deadening the inside of my doors(outside panel) to see if I can improve this anemic midbass situation.

See other thread (http://www.caraudiocentral.net/forums/showthread.php?p=8910#post8910).

-Fishy