I finally got my purchase request approved by my CFO (aka wife) for a new receiver/head-unit. Naturally she would like me to minimize the fiscal impact on our bottom-line, BUT she will occasionally drive this and won't put up with a POS stereo.

So that said, what's a good unit? What features do you find important? I live in NoVa and commute in the DC traffic. I listen endlessly (it seems) to the traffic reports. And now with the pending "winter storm" I wish I could keep tabs on the weather.

I have an open mind when it come to music, jazz, pop, rock, R&B, hip-hop, classical, blues. Unlike the line from the original Blues Brothers movie when they asked what kind of music do you have here. The reply was "we have both kinds Country AND Western"! Hahahaha

I check the Crutchfield site and they're selling a Dual with HD (digital tuner built-in), CD, aux input and USB for around $140 with the install kit. I am leaning heavily towards this. Has anyone had any experience with Dual?

 

Dual is a pretty nice brand IMO. I'd maybe perfer a pioneer or alpine deck, but I just like the looks of those better. The aux input is something I look for so I can hook my i-pod up to it. A removable face would be handy in D.C. The H.D radio is also a nice feature. Do you have a link to the one you have in mind? Crutchfield is a really nice place to get stuff from. I've dealt with them many times and have a good experiance almost every time. The instructions they give are nice as well. So that makes it a little eaiser for people with an average skill level and some basic tools to get the job done on they're own.

 

Here's the link.

Dual XHD6425 CD Receiver

 

I hope you are joking. Back when we used to carry them at my store, it seemed like there was a problem with almost every other radio. It wasn't always right out of the box, but it was within a few months. And thats why we stopped carrying them.

I would recommend an Alpine or a Pioneer. Both of them have models that come with everything thing you need for an Ipod. And most of their models have HD capabilities, you just have to buy the tuner separately. Plus they are solid radios that are going to last you a long time.

 

No, I wasn't joking. I would think a company with Crutchfield's reputation (which frankly has been in the ail order business longer than a few member on this site have been driving or born for that matter) would not carry a problematic brand. They (Crutchfield) do have a strong customer service/product return policy, which would end up costing them quite a bit.

Anyway. I'll take your advice and look at the Alpines and Pioneers as well. However I doubt my CFO will approve an additional expense for the HD tuner.

How long ago did you deal with the Duals? Any chance they've improved their products? Also since you were there, do you happen to remember why they were returned?

Did your customers have similar concerns with other brands?

Thank you for our input.

 

He was talking to V8DIET, not you, when he said that.


Dual is a crappy brand. Flimsy cheap headunits.

If you want a less expensive headunit get Alpine or Pioneer like Sigracer said, or Sony, which is what I recommend. Lots of car audio "elite" will trash talk Sony, but then again they'll trash talk anything car audio without a really nice brand name on it like Rockford Fosgate, JL Audio, etc. Those are the people who seem to think that everyone who wants an aftermarket headunit or speakers is competing.

 

I ended up ordering a Kenwood. You guys scared me away from the Duals! :-)

Seriously, I was leaning towards that brand because of the built in HD Radio. Other reviews I saw seems to indicate HD isn't all that prevalent in the NoVa/DC area.... so I don't want a radio that sounds like a skipping CD :^D

This one still has the front USB and input (earphone jack), and pre-amp outs. I'll be sure to post my impressions after I get the little dear installed. I have to replenish my stock of solder and shrink tube to make nice solid connections. My experience with electric tape and four speakers (due the VERY humid weather and "uneven" roads in the Philippines) lead a friend to dub my sound system the "quadra-flex" depending on which wires were coaxed together by various bumps and jiggles! Hahahaha

 

Sorry for the confusion man I was talking to V8Diet. Crutchfield is definitely a great place to go.

and Kenwoods are also good radios, so you should be pretty happy with it.

and as far as those duals, the most common thing was that the displays burned out, or that the buttons stopped working, but I also saw the entire faceplate go bad, the amps burn out. If it could go wrong, I have seen a Dual break that way. And we just stopped carrying them about a year ago so I doubt they have got much better since then.

 

I've never had a problem with one and they have decent features and a cheap price for what it is. Just trying to offer some options. And I thought I made it clear enough that I would prefer to have a pioneer or alpine and not a dual because I know they are a "discount" brand and yes they may have problems but I have not encountered any, so my experiance with them is good.

 

I just recently bought a pioneer DEH-2000MP on ebay for like...$60 or something
came with everything I'd need, plus removal tools (just two little metal L-shaped bars), remote/battery, instructions, bla bla bla
pretty good radio, can't change the LED color, but doesn't really bother me
good deal
Oh, and the remote's really important, cause I ride with my seat far back away from the wheel, back leaning against the front edge of the back seats, 1 hand on the wheel, and my shifting hand fluctuates between the shifter and the remote, which I have conveniently taped above my head to the ceiling
pff