What stereo should I buy?

[Cahuna]

Yeah, I hate it when other people make these type of open-ended, dumb-nubie type postings too... My car was broken into today and my stereo ripped out, I'm after opinions on what I should buy to replace it (gotta replace the dashboard too, but that's another story ).

My buying criteria is:
* Needs to be cheap (around $300 if insurance covers it, but cheaper is good too)
* Easy to use and reliable
* Aux inputs so I can plug my iPod in would be good

My old stereo was a JVC (approx 6 years old) hooked up to a pair of 6" fronts and 6"x9" rears. No subs, amps or anything fancy. Basically I know nothing about stereos other than I turn it on and it works, I just want some guidance on what would be a good buy (or even just which brands/models to avoid). Any help is good and appreciated!

[86_rolla]

u dont have to tell insurance unless its worth over $1500 or so AMI keeps telling me. Anyway i have got a Clarion DXZ846MC, brought it a few months ago from parallel for $350. Its pretty mint aye, easy to use. Biggest feature for me would be the music catcher. Where u can download i think it is 300 min of high quality music or 400 min of low quality music onto the headeck from a cd. Dont buy sony!

Anyway thats my 2c

[Cahuna]

Cheers. Given that it will cost me around $430 to make my claim I need to either get a cheap unit and forget about claiming or get a more better one (with more features?) if it will be covered by insurance.

Clarion now added to my list, Sony removed (wouldn't trust them after the fiasco with the DRM CDs anyway!)

[cheese]

$350

[darkmyst]

http://202.21.128.20/photoserver/53/12662853_full.jpg
$120



Nah kidding, whatever you do don't buy unknown brands like that one...

Stuff like domain, foryou, etc are all shit brands.

[cheese]

http://202.21.128.20/photoserver/53/12662853_full.jpg

whats with the pioneer type model number haha dodge. just like that imiditation dolphin headunit that came out

[AE82 FXGT]

Anyway i have got a Clarion DXZ846MC, brought it a few months ago from parallel for $350. Its pretty mint aye, easy to use.

Yeah, I have a Clarion dxz746mp, for around $300, doesn't ave the music catcher but still has the AUX, 24 bit DAC. If the 846 is anything like the 746, it won't be the most user friendly but dont let that put you off, it's very easy to get used to. And the DAC give you good sound quality

[86_rolla]

yeh it takes a while to set up, like its a bit complicated because if you have one setting turned on you cant have the other turned on etc. But you get used to it after a while aye i would highly reccomend either the 846 or 746

[Cahuna]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll see what the insurance company will let me spend and go from there, but it seems I'll either go for a Clarion or Pioneer.

[ollieboy]

I have a pioneer HU and I'm real happy with it, its real simple to use except I don't know how to change the time on the clock function but thats no biggie.

http://202.21.128.20/photoserver/53/12662853_full.jpg
$120



Nah kidding, whatever you do don't buy unknown brands like that one...

Stuff like domain, foryou, etc are all sh*t brands.

Some guy at school has one of those imitation pioneers and he thinks its a real pioneer and I just crack up because its like no model ever released by them.

[86_rolla]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll see what the insurance company will let me spend and go from there, but it seems I'll either go for a Clarion or Pioneer.

I pretty sure you dont have to tell them aye. Like ive rang up my insurance for my race seats, headeck and everything and everytime they just say na dont bother telling us unless its like $1,000 or over. But lowering a car is another story

[blackie]

746 is good

[Blackrazor]

The 846 doesnt have the high quality DAC or the number of screen colours the 746 does You get Music Catcher instead

[GGnz]

$350

I was about to go with this Pioneer one. My first HU was a 5650MP. Good HU's and very pretty

[Meadzy]

Go to Parallel imports, they sell cheap as ice stuff (headdecks), thats where i got mine from, i got a JVC good 1 for only $200

[fx gt]

i got my jvc for 170 brand new.there is cheaper places than pi

[86_rolla]

really? what places would these be?

[barryogen]

really? what places would these be?

goodhifi in dunedin do the bottom end JVC for like $160 or something.

[mr pad]

$350

I was about to go with this Pioneer one. My first HU was a 5650MP. Good HU's and very pretty

Yes they are ok, but the 746 is better and looks just as nice, and has way more features. PI are where its at. You wont regret buying this unit, best value for $$$.

[Meadzy]

my mates got that one in his ford laser, very fun to crank up the bass