I just installed a Blaupunkt MP3000 in my 300 SL. Advantage is that it plays those MP3's directly. Lots of power and it sounds great. The kicker was that I got it on ebay for $150 new as it's last years model. I think the last Crutchfield catalog had them for under $200; that's a good price too, as Crutchfield will provide a "free" harness to interconnect to the factory original. Tod

I vote for Alpine ...
 

I had three of their head units, two amps and one CD changer in the last 10 years. The technology, craftsmanship, and expandability is top-notch.

I currently have the 7894 head unit and the CHA-S634 6 CD/MP3 Changer installed in my 500E. I'm using stock speakers and the stock amp is bypassed. On a scale of 1 - 10, I'd rate the System a 8. I believe there is much more room to improve on the speaker/amp side of the equation.

Now I was concerned with the 'look' the replacement unit as well, and I believe that the 7894 is a good compromise.

I like all formats of music and I've taken my audio library and downloads from the net and have created some phat mixes that make my time on the road very enjoyable (that is when I'm not listening to the growl of the V8 :p).

As soon as I heard about Alpine's new Hard Disk player I quickly did some investigating. The unit is an in-dash unit but can also be installed else where ie. the trunk. It communicates via Alpine's Ai-Net, navigating via another head unit would be seamless. This would not be the case with an iPod; all navigation would have to be done via the iPod. I use the 7894 remote quite often when I drive (never have to look down at the head unit) so having a full-feature navigation ability is important to me, safety wise.

I was told by my installer that the unit will be priced about $2k ... wow! I think not. I will enjoy the 7 CD/MP3 slot system that I currently have. Any upgrades will be in the Speaker/Amp areas.

My $.02

Alpine!
 

Top notch build and sound...;)

Re: I vote for Alpine ...
 

norman,

Alpines Hard Drive Unit will retail for $1000 not $2000. That means the street prices will be lower then $1k. I already have things setup in my car waiting for this unit it hit the streets this summer.

Another method of getting more bang for your buck, would be to purchase a DVA-7996 which plays DVD's and MP3s. Then you can burn MP3's to DVD disk, which hold about 4 gigs worth of MP3's.

If that is not feasible purchase the Alpine DHA-S680 6 disk DVD Changer and it will give more space 24 gigs worth or MP3's compare to Alpines Hard Disk Drive that is currently only sporting 16gig.

Don't ask how I know all of this!:D

oh damn... Shanta...check this:I'm getting the IVA D-900, in dash DVD, single din, 7 inch. monitor, MP3, XM ready.

Are you positive I can burn a DVD and put my files on it? SOB that would be SICK!!!!

As long as your DVD unit supports MP3's, it should be fine, but test it first. Get someone to burn you a DVD with MP3's.

For home audio this works, and it should for car audio as long as the DVD unit spports the play of MP3's. That is why I suggested going with the DVA-7996. Of course I put this all together after I installed my CDA-9815.

Oh I just realized that the DHA-S680 does not support MP3's just DVD, so that one is a no go.

Wow, thanks for the info Shanta ... I was misinformed on the cost of the Alpine Hard Disk Player. This makes it more "realistic".

Please keep us informed on updates to your audio system.

have you looked at the Blaupunkt SanFrancisco yet? the last year model is around $250 now ($700 ret). and my experience with the skyline models has been a pleasure. plus it has a microphone that adjust the volume according to the exterior noise too :D

anyways i think any alpine is definetely better than sony's or kenwoods. just my opinion tho

Alpine. I've had my previous Alpine h/u for close to 10 years and everything still works except the display. I would pro'lly still be using it if I could've fixed the display. In fact, my Alpine CD changer I bought about 9 years ago still works, but changes discs slower than when it was new. My present Alpine 7894 does everything I need and has, via a plugin to the AiNet jack, an input for hooking my MPC(not MP3) computer into the system. Also, a remote. I'll never buy another brand unless Alpine goes cheap.

Why buy Alpine's hard drive unit? You could hook up a PC for less! I've already got a Celeron-600 Win98 system w/6.8" LCD and 80GB drive that plays everything I could on my desktop, but with the expandability of a normal PC. Total cost? $600, at the time Celeron-600's were the fastest out. Just a little enginuity and you can do anything. :)

The hard drive unit is more convenient and integrates easier, that's why (IMHO).

I have no use for a PC in my car, only a HDD which many people offer. Alpine is not the only company on the market making HDD units. You could esily integrate a Kenwood unit or go to Phat Noise and get a unit, which would be cheaper then Alpines solution.

This would match your 500E beautifully:

That Becker Mexico unit looks by far the best (IMHO). All of the others look like they belong in some Acura Integra.

alright guys, i picked it out and already had it installed, i don't have a pic of it in my car yet, but:

Alpine CDA-9815
http://pix.crutchfield.com/products/...CDA9815-f.jpeg

I'm extremely impressed with the controls, the options, and the whole setup of the headunit. It has features for everything, has a nice looking display. Love it.

http://1877camcorder.com/ had it for $348

Ahhh... Great Choice. I'm planning to buy one soon.

Did you add an amp? If not, did you use the factor amps, or did you bypass them?

Willy

I added two amps:

http://home.adelphia.net/~nychis/500E/audio/audio09.jpg

the link and pics of the whole install of the amps is here:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=64062

that gives specs on the amps, the cap, and the wiring with pics.

The right amp is an alpine 6 channel, and the left is a mono for my sub.

It sounds amazing.