I'm looking for a new head unit for my car stereo. I need something that has all of the following:
Front SDHC (must support at least 16GB cards, and at least 12,500 files per card)
-or-
Front USB input (must support at least 32GB flash drives, and at least 20,000 files per card)
18w RMS per channel output, at least 4 channels (5.1 would be great)
At least one USB input (front or rear, preferably both) (must support at least 32GB flash drives, and at least 20,000 files per card) (support for large SSD's...like the new 512GB would be even better)
Things I don't need, and that I wouldn't pay a penny extra for: -2CH AAC support (or any iPod/iPhone/zune/etc support)
-CD/DVD/BluRay reader (I just need to read flash memory and possibly a SSD)
-AM, FM, HD Radio (I hate the radio)
alpine HANDS DOWN makes the best head units out there...so if this specific model doesn't interest you, then i highly suggest finding another alpine one that does...I guarantee you will be satisfied with the quality
I was going to get a DVD unit that had 6ch and DTS support...but it was over $300, had no screen, and no FLAC support...plus the USB memory size limit was 16GB.
I am probably going to build a carPC soon...I already have a 8.4" widescreen LCD that I want to mount in my dash. I also have a pair of 8 channel car amps (matched set, combined total wattage is over 1600W), I figure the rest of it (including a nice sound card that can feed 8 channel audio) will set me back about $300-$400. This will also let me use my USB GPS reciever, in addition to the great capacity and file compatability. Of course, going from quadraphonic to 8-channel sound will require a few more speakers with some very custom mounting...so it may be a while before I get both funds and ambition to take on such a project.
