The Alpine 7894 seems to be one of the more popular head units that people are installing in their Z. I just received the new Crutchfield catalog, and it looks like Alpine is replacing the 7894 with a new model called the 9813 (I've put a link at the bottom of this post.) The 9813 retains all of the stand-out features of the 7894 (CD/MP3 playback, time correction, 27w RMS/60w peak internal amp, 4 volt RCA outs for front/rear/sub, 5-20 kHz freq response, S/N ratio of 105 dB, 9.3 dBf sensitivity, changer control) and it adds WMA playback ability and upgrades the Bass Engine Plus to Bass Engine Pro, which gives it 6 channel time correction (upgraded from 4,) 6 position digital crossover (upgraded from 3 position,) and a 5-position parametric EQ. All of this for the same list price ($400.)

I'm not posting this to make anyone regret a 7894 purchase (it's what I would have bought had I already upgraded my stereo.) I just thought that anyone who is currently shopping might want to know this so that they can consider the new deck if they can wait (it should be available by the end of January.)

Also, with the release of a new model, the 7894 will probably be available at closeout prices for anyone who doesn't need the new features of the 9813, and I expect that the 9813 will be available at the traditional discount outlets for the same $300 online price that the 7894 has been available for.

These specs are brand-new and may not be finalized, although I'm guessing that Crutchfield probably has everything right. Finally, I'm not affiliated with Alpine or Crutchfield; I'm just a regular 350Z owner who is currently shopping for stereo components. This was good news for me, so maybe it will help somebody else, too.

Gary

Alpine 9813 info

 

I'm sticking with the 7893 for my Z.