single DIN head unit

Not sure, but I may be in need of a HU. My Kenwood is skipping a lot. I believe at least in part due to the freezing cold here in MA, so hoping when it gets warmer that it stops.

If not, I'd have about $200 to spend. Thinking of Alpine or Pioneer, kind of prefer Pioneer. I've owned several Alpines and they haven't lasted too long. In fairness I use it a lot though.

Not looking for nav or any other fancy stuff..I'm CD only for my tunes.

Running 2 amps if it matters.

 

Pioneer DEH-80PRS. It's pioneer's "audiophile" grade headunit. I just put mine in about a month ago and absolutely love it. The preouts are incredibly clear.

 

I was looking at that one, not sure I can afford $350. I did like the DEH-X8700BH and DEH-X9600BHS

 

I was CD only also until recently. Found USB to be more versatile in that there is no mechanics involved and more reliable in any temperature, can hold many albums, near CD quality with high-resolution MP3 files, and frees up physical storage space that was used by CDs.

Most modern decks have an USB port right on the faceplate, where you can insert a small-profile USB stick that sits almost flush with the faceplate (I use a 64GB Sandisk Cruzer Fit and PNY Micro Go).

Pioneer's system makes finding albums easy, and has a randomizer that plays random songs throughout the whole USB contents, which I find enjoyable. I have most of my CD collection on USB now.

 

I bought mine on Amazon for $250. I also looked at the 9600BHS and thought it looked good. The 80prs just has so much adjustability, which I love. I don't know if you have had a Bluetooth head unit before, but I switched from CDs to Bluetooth Spotify and have never looked back.

 

Maybe down the road but not in the plans now. For one, I'd have to find time to upload about 1500 discs one at a time..

My Kenwood is Bluetooth compatible, never even bothered to use it. Hell I don't even own a MP3 player.

 

I already had a head start in owning a MP3 player, and had already ripped most of my CDs before going USB. It can be time consuming, but gradually over time it got done.