Apline CDA-9811

[James Downing]

I'm looking into purchasing this as a replacement for my stock, halfway functional head unit pair. I was curious if anyone had any experience with this head unit, or with Alpine in general?

They seem very respectable, plus they are some of the few head units with class out there. The price is somewhere around $300, at least on crutchfeild.

I will probobly get a professional to install this though. I dont wish to get messing with the wiring of this.

Any other ideas? or support on this is greatly appreciated.

 

[92sho16]

why not go for a cda-9815? ive got one and its pretty good. you can get it on ebay for $50 more than you would pay for the cda-9811 at crutchfield. i hope links to ebay are still alright....http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3061296919&category=39750. you can see a big pic of my cda-9815 relocated to where the eatc would be on my cardomain site. www.cardomain.com/id/disturbinsentra

 

[K-Dawg]

You should be happy with an Alpine headunit. Just look for one that has the features you desire.

The good thing about buying a head from the Crutch is that you get all the stuff and more that you need to install it. Also check Etronics.com for good prices on Alpine heads.

 

[shoRunner]

i have an alpine headunit and have used it for around 2.5 years and have had no problems with it. it has been a great unit. if you can do any work on a car, you can install a headunit. it's really easy, and you can get the wiring adpter from most any electronic store that sells headunits. you basically just match the colors of wires and crimp.

 

[Sho Nutz]

I have been running Alpine head units and processors for the last 10 years, I currently own the cda-7815, same as the 98 series but with
(or without ? can't remember ) internal amps.

The only problems I have seen from ANY of the alpine units I have owned is :

Eject button on 12 disc changer has died twice.
Face plate on the last head unit I had lost power.
The AI line between the head unit and EQ would not communicate.

I have had ZERO problems with the new unit. It will be 2 years old in april. I will continue to purchase Alpine now and in the future.

EDIT: photo added

<small>[ December 03, 2003, 07:25 AM: Message edited by: Sho Nutz ]</small>

 

[quadmasta]

if you can get the 9815 for $350, get it.
From Circuit City you'll need:
MET 88-00-9000
MET 80-5511
MET AL-1680
'bout $40 worth of plastic and wires.

 

[SolidState]

I just bought and installed a cda-9813 last night. Amazing deck, super clean sound even on the factory speakers.

Installation was a snap.

and I paid 400cdn for it.

 

[James Downing]

wow, same here, but with the 9811... i like it alot, its sharp.

Maybe I will post a picture or two later. Right now, my problem is with the CD holder under the head unit, it doesnt like to hold the cds well, I need to find a way to fix that.

 

[SolidState]

I am mucho pleased with the cross over and timing settings this deck has. And the Tilt feature is cool.

I am certainly glad I went with this deck over the 9807 I was looknig at. After reading the manual, I sorta wish for the 9815.

<small>[ December 29, 2003, 06:08 PM: Message edited by: SolidState ]</small>

 

[James Downing]

Yeah, I really wish I had gone with the upgrade, but I was trying to be cost-effective. I really kicked myself when I saw the 9813 for 299$ after I bought the 9811 at the same store for the same price. I almost cried, but... I am happy, it supplies every need for me...

Do you know how to turn down the master volume? Im at 10, with a CD, and I'm blasting. But then with the tuner, 10 is normal listening. shrug

 

[haydenm315]

James Downing:

I'm looking into purchasing this as a replacement for my stock, halfway functional head unit pair. I was curious if anyone had any experience with this head unit, or with Alpine in general?
</strong>

I've had problems with a cda 7892 and 7865 in regards to the head unit losing power and restarting itself when pushing buttons. It's much worse in the cold. I once struck up conversation with a friend that's big into car audio. he said alpine head units get fidgety in the cold. It's really annoying to push a button and have it not work. That kind of stuff causes distractions that could lead to an accident. It also makes people mad.

On the brighter side of things, I believe the culprit has been found. I think all their head units use the same ribbon cable to connect the face to the motherboard. The face folds down when you eject a cd and the ribbon bends. From the constant bending the connection between the ribbon and the face becomes compromised. My ribbon even has a crimp in it. It's about $14 for a new cable from alpine. Mine's in the mail right now. It's not too difficult to replace. I've never dissected a head unit before yesterday, and it's really not difficult. You should be able to install it yourself. Even if you have trouble, you'll know the job was done by you and the knowledge gained will be rewarding.

Other than that minor technicality they're not too bad. I've punched mine pretty hard once and it still ticks.


They seem very respectable, plus they are some of the few head units with class out there. The price is somewhere around $300, at least on crutchfeild.

I will probobly get a professional to install this though. I dont wish to get messing with the wiring of this.

Any other ideas? or support on this is greatly appreciated. [/QB][/QUOTE]

 

[SolidState]

James Downing:
Yeah, I really wish I had gone with the upgrade, but I was trying to be cost-effective. I really kicked myself when I saw the 9813 for 299$ after I bought the 9811 at the same store for the same price. I almost cried, but... I am happy, it supplies every need for me...

Do you know how to turn down the master volume? Im at 10, with a CD, and I'm blasting. But then with the tuner, 10 is normal listening. shrug

That is normal. I have noticed this about several head units and even my stock unit.

On the downer, I already blew out on of my stock speakers..

 

[James Downing]

Whats your favorite listening mode?

I actually perfer the MediaXpander only on low volumes, When I turn it up, I turn the MX off, it distorts the sound.

 

[SolidState]

MX mode 2 with a custom EQ, sub at about 13.

Pretty clean up to about 22-23 before the stock speakers start to pop...