pete wrote:
I'm looking for some advice on upgrading my existing setup.

I currently have an old Sony XR-C510 h/u, external amp driving front
component speakers and an amp driving a small 8" sub (using bridged
mono) and a Sony CD Changer. I'm generally pleased with the quality
but I'd like to spend some money and upgrade with the possibility of
playing MP3s.

I've narrowed my choice in my price range down to the Sony CDX-M850MP
and the Pioneer DEH-P77MP. Since I have an existing CD Changer my
thought was to go for Sony in order to use this kit and then upgrade
in the future to a MP3-capable one. That way I can start to use MP3s
with the slot in the headunit and still make use of the changer.

However, there are 2 downsides to the Sony I feel. One is that it
looks a bit tacky (IMO) and the other is that it doesn't have a
detachable front panel. At the moment I'm not too fussed about the
security of my headunit since it is so old and not really worth
nicking, but upgrading changes that.

This is where I hit on the Pioneer - looks are beautiful IMO (esp in
my car which is a Merc - I don't think the Sony would blend in well
with the dash and general feel) and the detachable front. Of course
the big down-side is that I will have to ditch the CD changer earlier
than I thought.

What I wanted to get was some advice on the sound quality/features of
these two units in comparison to help me make my choice. At the
moment they're in balance for my situation, although reading around
it looks like the Pioneer may have the edge with its higher output
pre-outs and good control of LPF and HPF for tweaking my sub balance.
I did also notice the Pioneer has Burr Brown D/A convertors which is
a name I remember of old in the hifi world - but would they make much
difference? And it also plays WMA files which I don't know much
about - reportedly they are smaller files for the same quality.

Price is not an issue since there's only 30 GBP difference at
incarexpress. Obviously the amplification stage doesn't interest me.
Overall I guess I'm looking at the longer term use - should I stick
with Sony or do I take the opportunity to change the system make now
for the future?

I listen to a mixture of Classical, Jazz, 80s/90s pop/rock.

Any thoughts?

You might want to consider the sony MP80 as well.
Detachable front , bucket loads of features and a superb sound.

--
Alex
SRX 400

"I laugh in the face of danger"

"Then I hide until it goes away"

www.drzoidberg.co.uk