the max i bought has only a tape player. im looking into buying a cd player and i wanted to know what you guys had. im not looking for anything really expensive, but something that has a nice look. im not going to be buying any subs or speakers, at this time.

 

I like Kenwood, Clarion and Alpine.

 

I've had almost every brand of CD deck there is and am now using a new Kenwood. I have had problems with Sony, multiple problems with Alpine, don't like Pioneer, Clarion is OK. I would recommend the new Kenwoods. I have the 4019 and got it off ebay for arounf $140. Then i heard about the free-be deals from Kenwood on the Sirius Satelite service. Since my Kenwood is Sirius ready, I signed up and am waiting for my free Sirius reciever, antenna, and FM modulater valued at $300. $15 to activate Sirius, $12.95/ month service, this is an awesome deal. I love my deck ,and it has a ton of options for a realatively inexpensive CD reciever. I would research on www.Kenwood.com and click U.S.A. consumer electronics, then car audio. Checkout the Sirius deals going on too, you won't regret it.

 

I have the nakamichi mb100.


On a budget I suggest looking to the eclipse lines.

 

All Pioneer, partner. All Pioneer.................


















except for the speakers and sub, speakers are Infinity Kappas and the sub is Sony........

 

I've always liked alpine

 

I've had good results with kenwood products.

 

As you have been able to tell, you will get tons of differing opinions. The best thing to do it go to stores and play around with the ones that you like.

 

This is the key. Remember, when you buy a deck, you might hate it. I bought a Sony on the internet a while back, got it, and HATED the interface. I sold it and bought a Pioneer and Loved it, ran it for 3 years. I then went through a used Pioneer and then a new pioneer, both of which I really liked. I am looking now at a new deck, and am considering Pioneer and kenwood, as well as 1 Sony model and 1 Alpine model.

Everyone likes something different. I need a "seek" button on my tuner, but one that is switchable to regular tune up & down. I also like CD plaers where the slot is in the face (no flip-down). For everyone, there will be different needs.

By the way, what year is your Maxima?

 

Jayson, Eclipse is considered a budget brand??? I dont pay that much higher for the MB100 than for an equal Eclipse....

-_Don

 

i was thinkin the same thing...

 

Eclipse sells units between 250-2500. Thats why I said look at the line not a perticular one, in a post like this where a price isnt' suggested I recomnend a line. I think eclipse is a bargin compared to many companys at the same price. I wasn't acually suggesting looking at the mb100 or the eclipse closeest replica of the mb100, he asked what people had i told him. Thats all. Really this question is way to open, i'd like to see all questions on this board be narrowed down much more.

 

oh, you're saying quality vs. cost Eclipse is the best at low prices. Thanks for clarifying that. I don't think Don's comment was meant as an attack. There is already one argument going on in this forum let's not start another one peeps.

 

I didn't take it as an attack, nor Did i try to attack back.

 

You and me both, my friend, you and me both.

 

I have been happy with my Eclipse deck. However, I haven't tried many other companies. The stereo shop I bought it from told me it was one of the best brands they had, compared to sony, kenwood, and alpine in terms of sound quality. They told me Eclipse puts their money into sound reproduction technology, and things inside the deck, instead of swimming dolphins or race cars on the face.

 

And that would be true.

 

kenwood headunit and all audiobahn speakers and amps

 

I've had Kenwood,Sony,Alpine,Blaupunkt,Eclipse,Rockford,and JVC. The only one I had major complaints with was the Sony cd receiver I had in 1990, returned it to the store real quick! Jvc was the cheapest looking but they have inproved since then. I have an Alpine monitor receiver now with a seperate dvd player, but if I were buying today I think I would get the Pioneer multimedia unit. Pioneer seems to marry good sound, ease of use, better ergonomics, unsurpassed reliability, and they just plain look good. This alpine I have is a great unit but I bought it b4 the pioneer was available and the indash unit does not play mp3's. The remote on this Alpine is a disaster but they have corrected that on the new model too.
Everyone is so good now you have to look for those extra things like looks and gadgets and ergonomics. For instance, if looking for just a cd/receiver I personally would not buy the Alpine even though it looks great. The Volume,cd track,mode buttons are all in a circle and are too close to each other, this allows you to easily and accidentally push the wrong button when adjusting the unit. I would not get a Sony now because I don't think they have a single good looking unit at all. I just dont like that orange and red and silver faceplate. Not trying to flame, just presenting my opinion.
Hope it helps. Just go to the store, find a few good lookin units, operate them all (despite the disgruntled looks from the salespeople), not really much need to listen to them since they are all so close anyway (of course speakers are entirely different even though they will not sound the same in your car either), see how easy they are to operate (including thier remote controls), and dont forget to make sure it has all the necessary inputs and output for the system you are building.
Good luck