asked 1000 times before....

[sickrabbit]

I think a most debated question ..of which is best ..... ok , I,m about to go for a new cd player , ( my jvc is like skippy at a fireworks party - time to replace ) and I,m stuck for choice between 2 models ...Clarion and Alpine.I,m aware both are pretty good .
Both are in the ?100 price range ( skint- would love to go further in the price range ) so all advice is very welcome.both hopefully must have reliable drives , and 2 pre outs...the ones i,ve found fit both my needs , has anyone on here the experience of either models / makes... please...? Or can others be recommended?
Thanks.
:thumb:

[Dave.]

alpine are good makes but are old fashioned
clarion are nice looking but are very small knobs and buttons
personally alpine for me

[Adam]

Id go with Alpine.

[philly]

alpine is the future

[nva_sr]

alpine mate go for it.

[Jack]

Alpine, although for ?100 you'll be buying their bargain basement models (assuming new).

[dannyb]

http://www.audio66.com/product.asp?id=5406&cat=11&man=0&main=1&userid=546314437389163670717593&firstsel=cat&variation=

Does this one look about right?

[Mike]

A mate of mine has got a very similair model to that, but it cost hime like ?250 or something stupid like that?? Ace though lol

[craig green]

I'd track down something from another make thats got better features but cheaper. eg clearance of last years model etc.

[sickrabbit]

Craig, you,ve hit the nail right on mate . I bid for an ex-display Alpine on ebay . The seller assured me , that althought the item was an older generation it was brand new , and a bargain at ?50. Its rrrp was ?199 . After winning it , and todays delivery , I removed the jvc head this very evening and popped the Alpine in fearing the worst . Within seconds my fears were unfounded . I took the cavvie out for a spin on deliberate bumpy roads...didnt skip , jump or shut down at all.
The sound quality is totally brilliant . The only other time i,ve been this impressed with sound quality of this clarity , was about 7 years back when armed with a redundancy package , i brought a home hi - fi consisting of Arcam amps and cd , with B&w speakers......for those in the know ...awesome kit .
As for anyone out there in the same circumstance of deciding which head unit to obtain , I,d save youre money , dont even bother with a cheapo...and go for Alpine- even a basic one..
Many thanks for the recommendation guys...:thumb:

[loggyboy]

My ?400 alpine makes my standard original 13 yr old nova speakers sound crisp and clear (even when playing MP3s), once I added my sub it turned into an excellent budget system (thats never gonna win any prizes) but when i get round to adding my 6" kappas ive got for the doors it should sound even better.