Which Head Unit should I get

[2kgtx]

Ok I have finally saved enough money to buy my new Head unit now the question is which one. I had a Kenwood KDC7009 in my old car and I liked it. but I think I want something different this time. I am looking at the panasonic CQ-DFX701U. I have also been looking at the Kenwood 7828 (I think) only think is that it is really expensive and I don't think I will use all the features. I take my car to shows and sound off competitions so looks is important. I also need sub control. Also since I have installed my amp on my highs I get an engine noise it is just a humm but at higher revs it gets louder. will a new head solve this or should I get a line pass filter as well. thanks in advance for the advise by the way here is a link to the pics of my car thus far.
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/markjsimm/lst?.dir=/My+Celica+GTX&.view=t

[00GTS]

"line pass filter"

I assume you mean ground loop isolator? Or a 12 volt power filter?

In any case, I'd work on your wiring first. The power filter might help but ground loop isolators can introduce noise.

1. Check your grounds and make sure the are contacting clean metal.
2. Did you run your RCA's and power/remote wires on opposite sides of the car?
3. Anywhere your RCA's cross power or remote wires, make sure it's at a right angle.
4. What kind of RCA's are you using? Are they cheap?

-Josh

[2kgtx]

I have all Monster wire cables so I don't think it is the cables, The grounds are all good, I think the problem is that I don't have a power antenna terminal so the amps are always on I never hear the sound when the radio is on unless I am listening to just talking like talk raido. It is mainly when the raido is off that I hear the noise. I talked to one of the other Engineers Hear at work and told me that he had a huge system in his last car and had the same problem and just put on a line pass filter, what it does is it filters out noise at certain frequencies, since The engine noise is at a different freq. then the normal songs are this won't effect any music. Thanks for the thoughts.

[00GTS]

What does a power antenna terminal have to do with turning your amps on?

All you need is a switched 12v signal. There are plenty of these in the car to use already. I'm sure there's on on the stock wiring harness. I'll check the manual when I get home.

-Josh

[2kgtx]

Thanks its my understanding that you use a power antenna terminal as a power sorce for the amps that way if you turn off the head unit the amps will go off as well. I am not very knowledgeable with installs in cars. I normally work with Industrial electronics. and internal PCB's on commercial electronics

[00GTS]

An amp needs three things:

1. A ground
2. A constant 12v power source (Power)
3. A switched 12v power source (Remote)

How you get them is up to you but it certainly doesn't require a power antenna lead.

Normally #2 comes straight off the battery (with sufficient gauge wire and a good fuse) and #3 comes from something like the ACC wire that runs to the factory deck. Note that the gauge of #1 should match #2. If you have more than one amp, add up the grounds to match.

-Josh

[Chiznarles]

back to your original question: Get the Pioneer DEH-9300, that baby is sweet!! I have the DEH-8200R (last years model) and its really nice, with a lot of features.

[skamikaze]

if youre really serious about sounds, i have a brand new eclipse 55090 to sell :) 1100 + shipping (id say about $20 with insurance). doesnt seem like there is much serious buyers out there tho!

[2kgtx]

I have been looking at that eclipse but I can't spend that kinda money, Thanks though

[staackman]

yes the eclipse is awesome have that same unit in my grand cherokee, the pioner is really cool and you would probably be happy with eitherthat or the panasonic...can't nock any of them i sell all four lol...as far as your sound problem easy fix...you will always get some noise if you hook your amp up to a 12v switch power from the car when your radio is off...just depends on how good of an amp you have...best solution is to buy a current sensing sloc...this is a unit that works like any other line level converter but only sends the turn on power to the amp when the radio is turned on...therefor your noise will be gone. if your aftermarket radio is equiped with a blue wire in the harness this should be your power ant lead you can use that as system on power...but only if your unit does not have a blue w/white stripe wire this is a true system turn on output...hope this helped email me if you have any questions...innovativecreations@townsqr.com