Posts Tagged ‘car audio review’
Alpine has built on the success of its Digital Media Receivers with another breakthrough model. Introducing the iXA-W404R Digital Media Station featuring a new touch control interface with Scrollview. You just move your finger up and down the 4.3″ screen to make selections. The customisable display is new, too: you can add elements to create just the kind of display you want. Alternatively keep the screen standard and use the control stick, Both ways offer excellent navigation through headunits menu’s and fast selection to the music or videos you want to play.
You get a new operation feel for quicker, smooth access to music and videos. It’s the best way yet to expand your system with an iPod and many other sources. The iXA-W404R offers iPod connectivity as standard via the built in USB input, this allows you to get the maximum out of your iPod and play all your favourite Music or Videos you have stored away.
This system is also based on the iXA-W404R, is also available with the following optional upgrades; Satellite Navigation System (NVE-M300P) and the KCE-400BT Bluetooth Phone kit. It’s ideal for anyone who will benefit from these devices from businessman to Car Enthusiasts. Naturally, you also gets the benefits of enhanced navigation performance and visibility, and easier operation from the Digital Media Station. This stereo is as close to perfect as your likely to get!
Stats & Features
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Radio
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4.3″ TFT Colour Screen with artwork for IPOD
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USB Connection for IPod and IPhone Alphabet/ % Search.
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USB, Blue/Red Illumination.
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Bluetooth Ready (via KCE 400BT),
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Changer Control.
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AV input and AV output.
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3 x Preout, 4 x 50 Watts, 24 Bit DAC, SWRC, Vehicle Display Ready, Imprint Ready (via PXA H100)
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NO99 RGB Input.
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Camera input
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The Alpine CDE-103BT is a single DIN sized headunit. You get a full featured AM/FM/CD/MP3 player which also provides full speed connectivity of an iPod or iPhone with the optional KCE-433iV cable. The CDE-103BT meets Apple’s specifications for “Made for iPod” and “Works with iPhone” compatibility. And if you’re like me and have thousands of songs on your iPod, you’ll especially appreciate Alpine’s “Quick Search” file search mode. This clever system splits your songs into six groups accessed via the preset buttons on the faceplate. This allows you to quickly jump to a section, rather than scroll through the entire alphabet to get to where you want to be. Another search mode is also handy, this one allows you to scroll through the various hierarchies such as Playlist, Artist, Album, Song, Podcast, Genre etc. Either way, it’s fairly painless to find the track you’re looking for.
The Alpine unit has a removable faceplate, and an easy to read, single line display with large white characters. Button colors can be set to red, orange, green or blue to match almost any interior lighting. Also on the front panel is a USB connection for those who prefer to carry their music on a USB drive, and for users of personal music players other than the iPod, there is also a 3.5mm Auxiliary input jack.
But what really sets this new model apart from last year’s Alpine head units is the CDE-103BT now comes with Parrot-powered Bluetooth functionality integrated right into the unit. And of course Alpine also includes the remote mount microphone, so there really is nothing else to buy. The setup of the Bluetooth system is pretty straightforward, and the CDE-103BT is compatible with most current Bluetooth enabled cell phones. You can import up to 1,000 numbers from your cell’s phone book, and even use voice dialing if your phone supports it.
CONTROLS AND FUNCTIONS
The most often used control on any head unit is the volume control, and I’m pleased to report that Alpine continues to use the best possible method for this frequently used function, the rotary encoder, or “a knob”, as my buddy Jeff calls it. The next most often used buttons are usually track up and down, and the CDE-103BT gets high marks there too, with easy to locate large buttons for these functions. In fact, all of the controls are thoughtfully placed, and the ergonomics of the Alpine CDE-103BT lend themselves to being easy to use without looking or only needing a quick glance.
As with most modern headunits, the Alpine CDE-103BT is equipped with a DSP based processor. This provides all sorts of control capability when it comes to getting your sound adjusted how you’d like it. Built into the innards of this model is a processor that provides a selection of tone control choices, as well as a defeatable, variable frequency high pass crossover. The rear RCA outputs can be converted to subwoofer outputs, and the level of those outputs can be varied either equally with the front outputs, or separately via a subwoofer volume control. And if you’re not planning to use the built-in four channel amplification, there is even a setting that allows you to turn the amplifier off, which reduces current consumption and chassis heat. Nice!
To get your system tuned to suit your needs, the bass and treble controls each offer a selection of four frequencies; 60, 80, 100, and 200Hz for the bass section, and 10, 12.5, 15, and 17.5kHz for the treble section. In addition to that adjustability, you can also select the “Q” or the width of effect that the bass control provides, in 4 increments. Adjustability like this really allows to you to tone down or accentuate a specific region, and is much more useful than a simple bass or treble control. Another nice feature, the DSP processor will not allow excessive boost to be applied that would cause distortion at high volumes, so that’s simply another tuning detail that’s already taken care of for you. If you are using the internal high pass filter, you can set it to 60, 80, or 100Hz.
And the adjustability doesn’t end there. For the Bluetooth settings, of course the system allows you to adjust the volume of the incoming call, as well as select which speakers are used for playback. You can choose to have the incoming call played back on all the speakers, or either of the front speakers, or both front speakers. Additionally, the volume of the microphone can be adjusted as well, to optimize call clarity and minimize feedback.
LISTENING and USE
The Alpine CDE-103BT is very straightforward to install and connect. As with most CD headunits, it is suggested that the horizontal mounting angle be kept under 35° to prevent CD mistracking problems. The main harness plugs in, and has the usual selection of wires, but if just got your first pair of wire strippers, or you’re a newbie to head unit installation, be careful to choose the correct blue output wire for your amp trigger and power antenna. There are two blue output wires, and both provide a 12 volt source, but under different conditions. The solid blue wire is for the power antenna, and it only provides 12 volts when the unit is in tuner mode. This prevents the antenna from being up when you are listening to a CD or iPod, for example. The blue/black wire is the correct wire to use to turn on an external amplifier, as it will provide power whenever the unit is turned on regardless of mode. The RCA connections are chassis mounted, and recessed about 0.75” so the cable shells don’t require additional in-dash clearance, which is helpful when things get tight behind the dash. I got the unit connected in my listening room, and began playing with the connections and controls.
The CD transport loads and plays CD’s or CD-R’s with a hundred or so MP3 tracks quite quickly, and using the USB input or hooking up my iPod worked great! I happened to have the optional cable for my iPod, and the connection is indeed fast and seamless. In terms of sonics, the Alpine CDE-103BT doesn’t leave much to be desired. Radio reception and the sound quality of the radio in both AM and FM modes was fine, as is generally the case with the Alpine tuners.
The unit has a natural, neutral sound to it, without adding any unwanted noise. Highs were detailed and articulate, and in general, the Alpine unit sounded excellent, regardless of the source. The controls were easy to find and use, and didn’t require endless referencing of the owner’s manual. If you are familiar with typical Alpine operational nomenclature, you may not even need the manual. I appreciated the functionality provided by the subwoofer level control, and the various tone settings should be adequate for all but the most serious tweakers.
ON THE BENCH
As usual, after my listening was completed, I moved the unit to the electronics lab and connected it to my Audio Precision analyzer. The Alpine CDE-103BT either easily met or exceeded all of it’s published specifications! Frequency response was virtually ruler flat on both the RCA outputs as well as the amplified section. Signal to noise was very good too, as was stereo separation, and distortion levels. The RCA outputs are good for about 2.3V, which is what you expect at this price point. The only specification that could have been a bit better was output impedance, but at just over 300 ohms, it’s still better than many units in this price range.
GENERAL SPECIFICATION
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Product Description: Alpine CDE 103BT – radio / CD / MP3 player / USB flash player
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Product Type: Radio / CD / MP3 player / USB flash player
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Dimensions (WxDxH) 17.8 cm x 16.1 cm x 5 cm
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Weight 1.5kg
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Form Factor Full-DIN – in-dash unit
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Audio Output Mode Stereo
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Equalizer Parametric – 2 bands
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Channel Qty / Max Output Power 50 Watts x 4
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Radio Radio – FM / MW / LW – 30 preset stations
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CD System CD / MP3 player – 5 – 20000 Hz
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Digital Player (Recorder) Digital player
Radio
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Kind Radio – FM / MW / LW
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Tuner Display Liquid Crystal Display
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Preset Station Qty 30 preset stations
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AM Preset Station Qty 12 preset stations
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FM Preset Station Qty 18
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RDS Yes
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Supported RDS Functions TP, RT, TA
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Additional Features DX / LO switch
CD System
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Kind CD / MP3
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Load Type Slot-load
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Playback Modes Shuffle, Repeat all tracks, one track repeat
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Supported Digital Audio Standards WMA, AAC, MP3
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Frequency response 5 – 20000 Hz
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Signal to Noise 105dB
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THD 0.008%
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Dynamic Range 95dB
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CD-R compatible Yes
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Compatible CD-RW Yes
Connections
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Connector Type 1 x audio input (mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm) | 1 x USB (USB Type A 4-pin) | 2 x audio line-out (RCA phono x 2)
Miscellaneous
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Included Accessories Microphone
CONCLUSION
Others may have been selling units with built-in Bluetooth for the last year or so. But, if you wanted an Alpine you used to have shell out big bucks for their Bluetooth adapter. Well those days are over, as Alpine has entered the integrated Bluetooth game with this great piece. Offering the safety and convenience of true hands-free telephone operation, easy to use controls, plus great sounding audio and features with enough flexibility to satisfy most users, the Alpine CDE-103BT should become a very popular choice.
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The Pioneer DEH-P3100UB CD Receiver with iPod Direct Control and USB input, Bluetooth Ready includes advanced Sound Retriever restores the rich, full, dynamic sound to compressed music and Front input for USB devices.
The Next Best Thing to Live
Sick of listening to static? CD Players improve sound quality and add features like Bluetooth and iPod control that your built in factory stereo might otherwise not have. Expand your system with digital radio options like HD Radio, XM Satellite Radio or Sirius Satellite Radio.
Bring Your Music to Life with Advanced Sound Retriever
This year you can hear the detail, warmth, and clarity the way the artist intended it, from all of the highly compressed MP3, WMA and AAC files playing on your CD player. By restoring data that tends to get lost in the digital compression process, we can make your music sound close to CD quality.
iPod Made Easy
It’s easy! Simply plug your iPod directly into the unit using the CD-IU50 iPod cable, and you are ready to rock and roll. Listening to an artist that you just can’t get enough of? Now you can hold the “List” button down and it will pop up folders containing that specific artist, album, or genre. You can also have your passenger control your music directly from the iPod.
A better way to control your music Sick of using buttons to search through your songs? Now you can scroll through your music with greater ease using the 7-way rotary commander.
Fed up with your Bluetooth headset?
Here’s a better hands-free solution. Use the available CD-BTB200 Bluetooth Adapter and Bluetooth-enabled cellular phones for easy, safe, and hands-free operation. The unit acts like a speakerphone, channeling the sound through your car speakers which makes the call sound better. It also automatically mutes your music so that you’ll never miss a call. Note: Optional CD-BTB200 adapter required
What else does this model have to offer? The DEH-P3100IB also includes these additional features like built-in AUX input for your media devices and Advanced Sound Retriever to restore your mp3s to near CD quality. Features that are designed to expand your system, customize your experience, provide superior sound quality and easy operation.
Specifications
- Remote Control included
- LCD Display with 16-character Text
- Advanced Sound Retriever to restore your compressed media to near CD quality
- AUX input to easier plug in your portable media devices
- USB input (Front)
- HD Radio, XM, and Sirius Radio Ready
- 2 RCA preouts for adding on external amps and speakers simplify system expansion
- Two-Way Crossover with separate High and Low Pass settings
- Built-in MOSFET 50 W x 4 amplifier for excellent sound quality, minimal distortion and efficient power handling
- Supertuner IIID advanced analog and digital processing assure superior imaging, less distortion and noise, and stronger, smoother broadcast signal reception
- Display Off Mode
What’s in the Box
- Pioneer DEH-P3100UB CD Receiver,
- wiring harness,
- wireless remote control,
- installation hardware,
- operation manual,
- installation guide,
- warranty sheet
Product Features and Technical Details
Product Features
- CD Receiver with iPod Direct Control and USB input, Bluetooth Ready
- Advanced Sound Retriever restores the rich, full, dynamic sound to compressed music
- Front input for USB devices
- HD Radio, XM, and Sirius Radio Ready
- Built-in MOSFET 50 W x 4 amplifier for excellent sound quality
Technical Details
- Brand: Pioneer
- Model: DEH-P3100UB
- Supertuner: Supertuner IIID
- 24-Station/6-Button (18FM/6AM) Presets: Yes
- BSM (Best Stations Memory): Yes
- Local Station Setting: Selectable (4-Step)
- HD Radio Ready: Yes (GEX-P20HD Required)
- XM Radio Ready: Yes (GEX-P920XM Required)
- Sirius Radio Ready: Yes (CD-SB10 and Tuner Required)
- CD Player Codec Support: MP3, WMA, WAV, iTunes AAC
- CD-R/CD-RW Compatible: Yes
- 1-bit D/A Converter: Yes (8fs/16-bit)
- AGC (Automatic Gain Control): Yes
- Disc Title Memory: Yes
- Disc/Track List: Yes
- CD Text: Yes
- Bluetooth Capable: Yes (CD-BTB200 Required)
- Hands-Free Profile (HFP): (w/CD-BTB200)
- Audio Streaming Profile (A2DP): (w/CD-BTB200)
- Audio Control Profile (AVRCP): (w/CD-BTB200)
- iPod Control Capability: USB Control (CD-IU50 Required)
- Alphabetical High-Speed Search: Yes
- Link Play/Search: Link Play (Artist, Album, Genre)
- Passenger Control Mode: Yes
- IP-Bus System Control: Yes
- USB Control Capability: Built-In (Front/Rear)
- Multi-CD Control: Yes
- DVD Control: Yes
- Display Output: Yes
- Built-in Auxiliary Input: Built-in (Front)
- Face Type: Slot In
- Display Type: LCD
- Dot Matrix OEL Size: 1 Line, 16 Characters
- Button (Key) Illumination: Green
- Built-in Speaker Power: MOSFET 50W x 4
- Continuous Power Output: 22W x 4
- Equalizer: EEQ (3-Band Parametric)
- Equalizer Presets: 5
- User Equalizer Settings: 1
- Loudness: 3 Mode
- Advanced Sound Retriever (ASR): Yes
- Electronic Balance/Fader: Yes
- Source Level Adjuster (SLA): Yes
- Crossover Network: Two-Way Crossover
- High-Pass Crossover (HPF): 50/63/80/100/125Hz, neg 12dB/Oct.
- Subwoofer Crossover (LPF): 50/63/80/100/125Hz, neg 18dB/Oct., plus/minus 12dB
- Subwoofer Direct Control Key: Yes
- RCA Preouts: 3 pair (Front, Rear, Sub/Non-Fading)
- Preout Voltage and Impedance: Hi-Volt (4V), 100 ohm
- Detachable Face Security: Yes
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The Alpine iDA-X305 is an in-dash head unit that is designed to provide seamless control of your iPod, iPhone and other digital devices over your car stereo. The high resolution 2.2-inch color TFT display allows you to view your iPod album art and displays song and track information, and also has a large clock display. The large double-action rotary knob gives maximum control of functions like QuickSearch for finding sound and adjusting volume. This knob is removable for anti-theft purposes, and there is an option of blue or red illumination. The superfast USB connection, with included cable, provides ultra-fast digital data transfer with newer iPods, and a 24-Bit D/A converter with a signal to noise ratio of 105 dB ensures great quality sound. The Alpine iDA-X305 has expandable options to add other media sources such as HD Radio, Satellite Radio, DVD changer and other auxilary sources. Other optional system upgrades include iTunes tagging, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity and steering wheel remote control.
Design
The most prominent aspect of the X305’s interface is the control knob that sits just left of its center. Alpine calls this the Double-Action Encoder, for reasons we’ll mention below. The knob can be twisted to perform such actions as adjusting the volume or scrubbing through menu options and media.
Selections are made by pressing the large Enter button in the center of the knob. Reversing through menus is accomplished by hitting the back button to the left of the knob.
Pressing in on the outer ring of the encoder and twisting activates the second action in the Double-Action namesake: QuickSearch. People can chose between either Percentage search (which jumps to a specific part of a list in 10 percent increments) or Alphabet search (which jumps through a list in order of initial letter). Search modes are easily chosen with a tap of the F button between the knob and the screen, and allow for quick navigation of large digital media libraries.
To the right of the control knob is the 2.2-inch, full-color TFT display. Here you’ll find iPod album artwork and menu information. The entire faceplate is backlit in cool blue light, but can be changed to red if that better suits your ride’s color scheme.
The left side of the faceplate is home to additional buttons for skipping tracks, pausing playback, and power/selecting audio source. A phone button answers incoming calls or activates voice-activated dialing when the iDA-X305 is paired with the Alpine KCE-400BT Bluetooth hands-free module. For security purposes, the iDA-X305 features a partially removable faceplate, so you can take everything except the 2.2-inch screen with you when you leave your car.
Features
The iDA-X305 is a mechanical-free device with no moving parts. That means no CD-slot and no tape player. With the exception of the AM/FM radio, the X305 subsists on a completely on a digital diet.
Using the included USB pigtail, listeners can plug in a portable USB drive or MP3 player for complete access to the file structure. Compatible file formats include DRM-free MP3, AAC, and WMA.
In a nice tip of the hat to iPod users, Alpine has included a short, black dock connector cable with the X305, which looks cleaner and keeps us from having to carry our stock white cable back and forth.
New in the X305 is full “Works with iPhone” compatibility, so no longer will you get a nag screen when connecting your iPhone 3G. Additionally, the X305 will also charge your iPhone while you listen, something that the X100 didn’t do.
While the iDA-X305’s feature set is essentially limited to radio and digital audio playback, it is capable of being extended and expanded with Alpine’s line of add-on modules. We already mentioned the KCE-400BT, but the X305 is also compatible with Alpine’s TUA-HD550 HD Radio tuner with iTunes tagging functionality.
Simple iPod navigation and control
The big jog dial in the middle works just like an iPod’s click wheel. Turn it a little to access Search mode, then scroll line-by-line. Turn and hold the knob to move to Alphabet Search mode — now you can scroll through the alphabet to blaze through your lists of artists, albums, or songs. The current song keeps playing, so you won’t interrupt the music while you’re searching. The convenient “Back” button lets you backtrack through the menus, instead of starting over from the top.
Play your other digital files, too
Put your favorite MP3, WMA, and AAC files on a thumb drive, and you’ve got an easy way to stock up on tunes for your next road trip. Or play another USB-equipped music player through the USB slot.
Flexible system-building options
This versatile stereo works with all of Alpine’s peripheral gear, including satellite radio, auxiliary input adapter, add-on USB input, or CD changer. Add an HD Radio™ tuner, and you can “tag” songs you hear on an HD Radio broadcast for purchasing later in iTunes®. With Alpine’s optional KCE-400BT Bluetooth® interface, you’ll be able to answer or place a call with a touch of a button. You can also stream music from a music phone or Bluetooth-capable music player.
Three sets of preamp outputs simplify setting up a system with external amplifiers and subs, and you’ll appreciate the ability to control the subwoofer’s output level from the stereo. For the best possible sound quality, add Alpine’s PXA-H100 IMPRINT sound processor and KTX-H100 tuning kit — the IMPRINT measures your car’s acoustics and adjusts the stereo’s settings automatically to create a perfect audio environment.
Performance
The internal amplification receives a 5-watt per channel boost from the X100 to the X305. However, while power is now rated at a peak output of 50 watts by four-channels, average power output remains at 18 watts per channel.
The character of the audio can be tweaked with a two-band (bass/treble) equalizer with a loudness function. Those who need more control can add the IMPRINT audio processor for an additional charge to custom tune the audio to their particular vehicle.
Additional power can be had by way of the upcoming headunit power pack, which boosts average power to 50 watts per channel, with an unstated max, or by adding external amplifiers using any of the three 5-volt preamp outputs (including a dedicated subwoofer output, with its own gain control).
General features:
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digital media receiver (no built-in CD player)
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built-in amplifier (18 watts RMS/50 peak x 4 channels)
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plays MP3, WMA, and AAC music files from external sources
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2.2″ full-color TFT display
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detachable face
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iTunes tagging with Alpine’s optional TUA-T550 HD Radio™ tuner
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optional remote control
Audio features:
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2-band parametric equalizer
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Burr-Brown 24-bit digital-to-analog converter
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compatible with Alpine’s PXA-H100 IMPRINT audio processor and KTX-H100 tuning kit
Expandability:
iPod control: direct connection to USB input for newer iPods (older iPods will need Alpine’s KCE-422i interface cable) compatible with Alpine’s HD Radio tuner, Bluetooth adapter, CD changer, satellite radio
inputs: USB input
outputs: 6-channel preamp outputs (front, rear, subwoofer) — subwoofer output has bass level control
In sum
Everything that we liked about the X100 is back and better than ever in the iDA-X305, so our recommendation of this receiver for people with large digital audio collections is a no-brainer. We also like the extendability of the X305 through Alpine’s collection of add-on modules and the freedom it gives us to build our cabin tech experience one piece at a time.
However, while many users have successfully made the jump to a completely device-based approach to their music collections, many more still depend on physical media. If you can’t break your addiction to CDs, perhaps this isn’t the receiver for you.
Pros:
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digital iPod control
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quality 24-Bit Burr-Brown DAC
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includes a remote control
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Bluetooth ready (requires add-on)
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Quick Search for large song volumes
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DVD & HD/Satellite radio ready (requires add-ons)
Cons:
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poorly implimented knob
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cheap build quality
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most functionality requires add-ons to be purchased separately
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no CD player
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