Advice on Pioneer/Sony MP3 Headunit

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?

Thanks,
Pete.

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

On 9/12/03 9:28 pm, in article ,
"pete" @ wrote:
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.

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.

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

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Pete.




The pioneer has the best sq for the money at the moment I know people who
have sold top of the range alpines to get one, for one person that was for
his demo car.

The sonys in general are still fairly poor compared to the competition at
the moment, and the pioneer is one of the best around for understated,
classy looks and high sound quality.

If you don't want the pioneer you should be looking at the JVC sh9101 on
special offer at the moment up to Christmas £250 while stocks last I expect
at www.caraudiodirect.co.uk

They also have the pioneer for £230 don't know how much it was at the place
you were looking at.

Halfords sell the P77MP for between £350 and £400 most of the time it would
seem so you get a great saving online.

While you are over at www.caraudiodirect.co.uk click on the community link I
think it is now to join us at www.talkaudio.co.uk where most of your
questions should get answered fairly promptly.

Me

Me wrote:
On 9/12/03 9:28 pm, in article

The pioneer has the best sq for the money at the moment I know people
who have sold top of the range alpines to get one, for one person
that was for his demo car.


Yep, I second this, I've just got one of these Pioneers and they do sound
very good indeed. I got mine for £229 from
http://www.incarexpress.co.uk/focus....artno=DEHP77MP


--
Steve - http://www.digitalradiotech.co.uk/ - Digital Radio News & Info

DAB sounds worse than Freeview, digital satellite, cable, broadband
internet and FM

"DAB sounds worse than FM" wrote in message
...
Me wrote:
On 9/12/03 9:28 pm, in article

The pioneer has the best sq for the money at the moment I know people
who have sold top of the range alpines to get one, for one person
that was for his demo car.


Yep, I second this, I've just got one of these Pioneers and they do sound
very good indeed. I got mine for £229 from
http://www.incarexpress.co.uk/focus....artno=DEHP77MP



Thanks for the advice all - I ordered it yesterday from incarexpress.

Cheers,
Pete.