anyone knows if the eclipse cd/mp3 receivers are good? i'm talking about $300+.

 

They are very good.

 

I just put one in my 88 pathfinder. It works for me....
Has a cool anti-theft feature too...

 

they are better than just good.

 

excellent quality head units, and the ESN is quite nice as well

 

This should be in the Audio and Electronics section. They are quality products though.

 

oh and screw $300+, grip one off ebay, just make sure the ESN is all straight....an older model with all the goodies can be had for a considerable discount

 

If ya do that then the theft protection will not be available and ESN most likely will not be accepted due to the distance of where the product is purchased and where you live. Valid receipt is always needed.

--Don


BTW...Yes Eclipse decks are I dont use anything else.

 

I currently have the 8053 and I am extremely happy with it. I have to say that Eclipse is one of the best HU that I have used. I had almost all of the top brands and the features and options that come with these HU are incredible.

 

I currently have the 8053 and I am extremely happy with it. I have to say that Eclipse is one of the best HU that I have used. I had almost all of the top brands and the features and options that come with these HU are incredible. I have had it in my car for a week now, I ordered the new AV8533 which is the HU with the 7" Screen DVD player, so if you are interested once my new HU comes in I am going to put this one up for sale. It is brand spaking new.

 

hmm! how much were you thinking of asking for this. I might be interested. Thanks

 

i am definetly interested. I have funds now.

 

Well to date it is one week old. I really have not thought about what I will sell it for. Make me resonable offers around the $500 range.

 

Since two of you are interested, whichever one that doesnt take Vin/dohcser's then I usually have them in stock.

--Don

 

Ok, fellas I just checked out the new eclipse decks and they are awesome. I've always liked eclipse but never owned one. But this is my question, I can't get these eclipse decks for a good price like the others I'm conteplating. But If you had to decide between getting a Alpine 9813 for $240, Pioneer mp750p $222, or a Eclipse CD5423 for $290; what would you do? Would you get the lower model Eclipse? Are they that much better? Right now I'm leaning toward the Alpine.

Sorry, I know this is all a matter of opinion, but please share yours. I have been out of the car audio scene for about 4 years so I'm kinda lost. Thanks

 

The Eclipse without a single doubt in my mind. To bad ya didnt live closer, I would have been able to do better for ya on the price.

--Don

 

Dang, I was hoping you won't say that. But I kinda thought it was coming. So, You couldn't ship one to me?

Well, Don is the $290 a good price on this model or am I getting screwed?

 

I cant ship Eclipse HUs due to the ESN coding. $290 is retail which Eclipse enforces all their retailers to sell at. The most flucuation any reputable dealer would do is about 10-25 bucks, depending on the price of that particular model.

Even still at that price I would take it over the other choices. I actually replaced a Premier 740 with an Eclipse 3413 last week and the customer was EXTREMELY pleased.

--Don

 

Crap, crap, crap!!!!!! Ok, I guess I'm gonna try to go with the eclipse, now. Now I just have to sell my wife on the idea, she was really looking forward to the $250ish range. If it was up to me I'd pick up the CD8053.


Don-- just for my info. If I had to step down to the model below, the CD3413 I believe. What would I be losing compared to the CD5423 besides the 5v pre out. And would this be a good hu for my system. (Old RF punch 75 and two kicker comp vr 12's) Thanks man, you've been a lot of help.

 

I know the feeling with the wife thing... it sucks I know. But just tell her ya spent less that it really is.

On a side note, although not so good for you, it is good to see that Eclipse dealers are still sticking to the guidlines that Eclipse sets. Sound like you have a pretty decent shop near ya.

--Don

 

I went back and edited my post, while you were posting so I think you missed my last question.

Don-- just for my info. If I had to step down to the model below, the CD3413 I believe. What would I be losing compared to the CD5423 besides the 5v pre out. And would this be a good hu for my system. (Old RF punch 75 and two kicker comp vr 12's) Thanks man, you've been a lot of help.

Thanks again Don.

 

Actually that is pretty much it. The voltage/resitance outputs. Although you would be adding an MP3 player and for less money. I believ the price they would put you at for that one would be $249?

--Don

 

Dude, that's a $50 difference. Just don't go to the bar this weekend, and you saved the extra money for it.

Eclipse is a step above most decks. People talk about Alpine and Pioneer being good, but Eclipse is the next level. But usually next level stuff is not as flashy and is always behind in the feature set. Like every Pioneer deck does mp3, but not all Eclipse (some need an external unit). And do Eclipse decks even read ID3 info? I don't think so, but not positive. Not knocking them, just saying; feature set is usually a trade-off of stepping up to that level of quality.

 

You are correct, however understand you do get what you pay for. Eclipse is definately a couple steps above the more reputable brands out there. On some HU you do need an extra perephial, but this is how they keep their cost down. Now what is the point of selling someone something that may be of no use to them. At least Eclipse gives you the option to do such, with keep ahead of the game. There are definate trade off's to both. If you are not going to have an SQ system rather a couple amps and upgraded speakers for your everyday enjoyment then you can definately get away with the others. Not that they are bad, but once you start competing or you are an audiophile you will hear a night and day difference.

 

Years and years ago I was a loyal Alpine fan. For those of you that don't remember, Alpine used to be THE shizit. I mean, Alpine was the cream of the crop. Having an Alpine CD player was kinda like being able to afford a BMW M5. You know? LOL Then, they started paying more attention to mass sales and less attention to SQ. Now, Alpine is very commonplace....and middle-of-the-road. They still have their F1 series, or whatever they call it...and it is up there with the elite, but 99% of the people can't afford it.

I used to have an Aline CDA-7939. It was the best they made back in 1994 or something like that. My local retailer, whom I trust very much, told me I would be AMAZED with this Eclipse 5303R he had. Mind you...it was several hundred dollars less than the Alpine. So I took a chance and purchased the Eclipse.

Wow! Instrument placement. Separation. Depth. Silky smooth vocals. The Eclipse kicked the Alpine's ****!

Anyway, even though I have moved beyond Eclipse, they still have a great place in my heart. A very superior product, and as far as I'm concerned you can't go wrong.

Tony

 

moved from Eclips to what?? what's better Nakamichi??

 

I guess part of my answer would be to ask you what you consider important and thereby label "better" as. Eclipse certainly kicks Nakamichi's **** when it comes to features. And in my opinion, Nakamichis look very boring.

However, I would not generalize and say that either brand is "better" than the other. Both Eclipse and Nakamichi make very respectable players; however, Nakamichi makes one in particular (in terms of SQ) that Eclipse can't even touch, the CD-700. Other brands like Alpine, Clarion, Denon, Pioneer, and Sony (and others) all make "reference standard" players that outshine the vast majority of the competition. But then again, they also make less expensive models that don't stand out at all. These elite players basically are made for the 1% of the population that, 1) Can tell the difference between an $800 player and a $1,750 player, and 2) Is willing to pay that much for it.

Eclipse doesn't make a player that has the SQ that I'm used to hearing. For the other 99% of the population, Eclipse is more than adequate. So, I guess SQ is the most important factor to me.

Having said this, it is interesting to note that I would choose an Eclipse CD player any day over a Sony. However, I use an old-school Sony CD player in my car (CDX-C90) that sounds way better than the best Eclipse. I guess that's all I meant when I said I'd "moved beyond Eclipse".

I hope that made sense...I'm kinda tired!!

Tony

 

hey Don,
I emailed you regarding the remote starter a while ago and kind of forgot about it. Wife thought I was wasting $. So anyway, I am ready the first week end in Oct and want to know what your schedule look like. I guess we can talk offline too. Need a couple of things. The remote starter, a new RF (small 600w amp), new kenwood sirius (coming soon) and a new HU. I'd like to talk to you about the Eclipse. I am expecting a new alpine mobile video unit too. I hope this doesnt like too much.

<> Ralph <>

 

Tony, you do have good points, however I will have to disagree with you on the point that Eclipse cannot touch the CD-700. That is definately one of the top of the line HU don't get me wrong, but eclipse can play ball with it. Have you ever listened to the 8053, and like you said the Eclipse has more options which this one does, you can change Q values on each frequency you select. Normal every users will probably never use this, but it is for the select few who truly know sound. I have to say that the 8053 is the best HU that I have ever bought and probably heard. I have an AV8533 on order from Eclipse (DVD, TV) and I have heard great things about this also, but have not personally heard it as of yet.

 

I've had the Eclipse AV8022 for a while already and I love it. great SQ...8V preouts...hasn't skipped going over super bumpy roads either.

Don - Just a quick question for you. Do you know when exactly the new Eclipse Commander Advance is coming out? It's the only one that will work with my HU. According to the catalog, it was supposed to come out winter '02...but now it's fall '03. Go figure.

 

Ralph,

If I havent replied yet, please send again, sometimes I just lose track of the emails.....

--Don

 

I totally don't want you to think I'm knocking the 8053. As far as I'm concerned, you really can't compare the 8053 and the CD-700. Totally different levels. Appples and oranges. I'm a huge Eclipse fan, however, my SQ needs and my ability to discern between the two are vastly different than most.

To illustrate a point: I purchased 5.25 Diamond Audio Hex separates many years ago. In that instance, those were the best speakers I'd ever owned. I was running an Eclipse 5303R head and I was totally in bliss. Then I purchased a Dynaudio 3-way component set with 8-inch mids. Now, most people think Diamond Audio is one of the best speaker brands out there. I would have to agree. However, after purchasing the Dynaudios, the Diamonds seemed pale in comparison. Suddenly, my whole system didn't sound as good anymore because the Dyns were so detailed that they revealed every flaw in my system. The weak link? My Eclipse 5303R head!! The 5303R was the finest HU I had ever owned and now it sounded like poop through these speakers. (Note that it sounded really good to most people, I'm just an extremely critical listener). So I replaced the Eclipse with the CD-700 and my problem went away. The CD-700 is an EXTREMELY sonically-pure player. It adds absolutely nothing to the music and simply sends an unaltered CD signal to your amplifier. There are extremely few players that do this. Even my CDX-C90 adds a little "character", if you will.

Unfortunately, now I'm looking at my next weak link. My amps. I have Phoenix Gold ZX series amps. Similar to Diamond Audio, most people will agree that these amps are among the best you can buy. However, there are better. When I was using the Dyns, the CD-700, and my ZX amps in my Explorer, it was the best sounding system I have ever heard. But...there's always someone out there who would sit down and listen to my system and say something like, "Hey, have you ever considered trying Brax amps? You really do need to upgrade and get rid of those wimpy ZX amps you have there!" LOL

I'm just trying to say I'm not knocking Eclipse. But subjectively speaking, there is always something better.

Tony

 

Does anyone on here know how much the e-com for the eclipse decks will run? I've heard a lot of info on this upgrade and haven't actually met anyone that owns one or can tell me if it is worth it.

 

No one owns them, because they arent available yet. When available Ill let ya know the price...

-_Don

 

Cool. That's if I end up getting a Eclipse.