I am trying to pick a headunit out. I thought I had it figured out and then decided I was definatley going active. My problem is that I need a HU that will allow me to go active but still play MP3 discs as well as have somewhat decent ipod control. So ive got four picked out price really isnt the factor although $450 is my budget and I am not against buying used.

Alpine CDA-9835 (hard to find and are somewhat expensive when found)

Alpine CDA-9855 (I can deal with glide touch if need be. its not THAT bad)

Pioneer 880-PRS (Easy to find and moderatly priced, some complaints of "snakes in the unit")

Eclipse CD7000 (Easy to find but on the higher end of my budget)

There are a chit ton of the 9855's on ebay and I am seeing they are all going for under $200. This is my cheapest option by far. Only trouble is finding the older Alpine ipod cable as I dont think their new full speed cable is compatible. The 9835 like stated above is kinda hard to find and can get truly expensive when in a bidding war for it. The 880 has good features and I used to Pioneer's ipod interface. the CD7000 is an awesome unit but I dont want to spend that much unless someone can tell my it is truly worth the Extra $150 as opposed to the 880 which has VERY similar features. Only good thing about the CD7000 is that it will definatly match my interior dash lights....the 880's trim (chrome) would match my entire dash though.

I feel the eclipse is worth it for the quality and the long run. Very solid decks.

The older Alpines had an iPod interface box that you would have to buy at added expense and the feedback I've gotten on them is the interface is awfully slow. Same with the Pioneer. I don't know about the Eclipse. The newer Alpines have the Full Speed connection which is really nice, but it comes at the cost of pretty much all other features. I would have bought something entirely different if it hadn't been for the fact that I wanted to keep my XM setup that I already had for an Alpine (9813 that met an untimely end). A 9813 or 9815 should do everything that you want as well except actuall control the iPod. If you don't mind doing song selection from the iPod itself, there are a couple compaines that make AiNet cables for iPod that get the signal delivered and charge it as well. That might be a less expensive option. The Bass Engine Pro is really nice with a multiband parametric EQ full 3-way crossover and time alingnment. Comes on the 9813 and 9815 and is the same thing that is in the 9833 and 9853/5

The older Alpines had an iPod interface box that you would have to buy at added expense and the feedback I've gotten on them is the interface is awfully slow. Same with the Pioneer. I don't know about the Eclipse. The newer Alpines have the Full Speed connection which is really nice, but it comes at the cost of pretty much all other features. I would have bought something entirely different if it hadn't been for the fact that I wanted to keep my XM setup that I already had for an Alpine (9813 that met an untimely end). A 9813 or 9815 should do everything that you want as well except actuall control the iPod. If you don't mind doing song selection from the iPod itself, there are a couple compaines that make AiNet cables for iPod that get the signal delivered and charge it as well. That might be a less expensive option. The Bass Engine Pro is really nice with a multiband parametric EQ full 3-way crossover and time alingnment. Comes on the 9813 and 9815 and is the same thing that is in the 9833 and 9853/5

I second the 9813/15 vote . I'm running the 9813 again , and love it.

i third the 9813 vote !

even though i haven't played too much with it, it seems like it can do whatever i wanted from a h/u and more

9835...

SO we got one vote for the 9835

One vote for the CD7000

and three voted for a 9813/15

I was trying to remember the model number of the 9813/15 last night as well. If the ipod thing with the Alpine is too much trouble I will get one of the Harmon Kardon Drive and Plays for it.

Off to ebay I go looking for a 9813/15

Found a bunch of 9815's on ebay....hopefully I can get one of them for the low!

It is kind of neat as well....all of the auctions I am bidding on close around the time my overtime check comes in! muahhhahahahha