My Sony HU bit the dust...

[black roadster]

I ended up getting the //////Alpine IDA-X001. It was $80 cheaper than it's replacement, the IDA-X100 and the changes seemed minimal to me. I believe Magma got the new unit. Maybe he will chime in with his impressions.

Initial impressions.

Positives:

Great iPod interface and probably the easiest and fastest one currently available.

Display looks great with the top up, cloudy days or at night. Cool clock display looks like a modern version of the old flip style digital clocks.

Negatives:

Radio presets require three commands to select. [Pre-Set, Jog Wheel to select and Ent]. Poor design but not a huge issue for me since I hardly listen to the radio.

Screen washes out in the bright sunlight but most displays will have this problem.

Artist display needs work. It will scroll the song title but not the artist or the album. Again, a minor annoyance.

Menu options screens are always blue even if you switch to red illumination. Only noticeable when programing the unit.

Phone button is useless unless you have the optional $200 Bluetooth module.

I had an issue with the stereo initially sounding flat but called Crutchfield and found out if I hold down the Audio button it gives me soundfield settings. It was set on FLAT. Switching it to ROCK made a huge difference. While it isn't a customizable EQ it sounds good.

Once I get a Sirius receiver for it I think it will be all I need.

[Walter]

I have an Alpine CDA-9856. It works fairly well and sounds good, but the controls (while responsive) aren't intuitive at all. Two different "enter" buttons, no back button, and searching through thousands of artists or songs can take forever.

It's interesting to hear that even in newer models, they haven't perfected the user interface yet.

[black roadster]

Glad you brought this up. I played around with Magma's IDA-X100 and like it a lot better. The only drawback to me is losing the MediaXpander sound fields in favor of a fancier but $150 optional Imprint. The X100 still has a built in 3-point EQ.

I prefer the more intuitive iPod controls, full red illumination and scrolling text on Song, Album and Artist.

Fortunately, Crutchfield has a 30 day money back guarantee so I think I'm going to swap out.

[black roadster]

I am the Ken o of car audio.

The original reason I bought a new HU was because I thought my old HU had died. It turned out to be a loose wire in the vehicle wiring harness which I have since fixed. After I pulled the Alpine to exchange it, I putt my old HU back in and realized how much I like it. I'm returning the Alpine and keeping my old Sony and my $$$.

[Titus]

I am the Ken o of car audio.

Yep... It sounds like you have a little Ken o inside of you.

[trickyrix]

Glad you brought this up. I played around with Magma's IDA-X100 and like it a lot better. The only drawback to me is losing the MediaXpander sound fields in favor of a fancier but $150 optional Imprint. The X100 still has a built in 3-point EQ.

I prefer the more intuitive iPod controls, full red illumination and scrolling text on Song, Album and Artist.

Fortunately, Crutchfield has a 30 day money back guarantee so I think I'm going to swap out.

So does the knob spin all the way around on the X100 or is it a "semi-turn" like the X001? Not shopping... just curious. I think I like my 9885 better after seeing the way the X001 worked - just personal preference.

[channelmaniac]

Yep... It sounds like you have a little Ken o inside of you.

???

[black roadster]

So does the knob spin all the way around on the X100 or is it a "semi-turn" like the X001? Not shopping... just curious. I think I like my 9885 better after seeing the way the X001 worked - just personal preference.

Full spin. Check Magma's Alpine out next time you see him.