I am having a difficult time choosing between the
eclipse 5423 $289 www.tweeter.com
alpine 9815 $ 329 www.discountsjungle.com
blaupankt san francisco $359 www.millionbuy.com

what i appreciate
HU with best sound quality
HU with matching amber lights (non of them have matching led's)

feel free to recommend any other brand withing $300-$400

help is greatly appreciated.

will be probably running a 60 rms X 2 old kenwood amp to my infinity components (front) if needed

 

Either go Alpine or Eclipse. I am trying to decide which way to go on that right now. Alpine and Eclipse are very good Head units. The eclipse has more frequencies on its EQ and looks more factory than the Alpine but Alpine units are just awsome. Anyways if I were you go Eclipse or Alpine either way you will be happy I think. Oh and the Eclipse 8053 allows you to change 3 different display colors and one of them is this wierd red that almost looks orange but thats only on the 8053 I think.

 

What about the Nakamichi CD400? Saw some on e-bay for under 300

Amber looks like a nice match.

 

i definetely wouldnt' touch a blaupankt. overpriced in my opinion (just what this is, an opinion, nothing else). the alpine is a nice unit in terms layout and functions but in terms of quality/longevity, they get a bronx cheer. I'd say about 70-80% of the headunits I replace at work are alpines. they are typically new and are broken or a little bit older but have already been broken before. So in my opinion i'd avoid an alpine. the eclipse is a good unit. i've never been a fan of their style though but you might. i don't know about that. i personally like the higher end pioneer units. I've also taken a liking to panasonic units for some reason or another. weird cause there not the best in the world right now either. basically do you research (like you are doing. opioins are a part of it) and make an informed decision that you are comfortable with. happy hunting.

 

I went with the Alpine 9815 almost totally because I couldn't find anything else that matched it feature wise. I definately has quality quirks, but I still wouldn't trade it for anything else.

Some of the issues I've run into:
1. WMA/MP3 folders start counting from 02 (wtf?)
2. The HU makes a grinding noise sometimes when opening
3. If you press the faceplate just right, the whole HU loses power

I replicated all these on the headunit in the stereo shop, so I know it's not just my HU.

Jason

 

Clarion PRO Audio... See my signature. Great head Unit, CD / MP3 / WMA... Controls for absolutely everything... AND user adjustable colors... IT matches PERFECTLY!