To all of you audiophiles: Is there any "normal" looking headunits, that kick arse?

[AZ94Q]

Wow jesda.. You have doubled your donations, since I last saw your signature.. Very impressive

That sad pandah face is definetely paying off..

That sucks about NAK and the US.. I do remember them fileing for the BK

I do have a question, for you audiophiles

I am looking at the NAK CD 400.. It's around 300-400

Then I see the NAK 700II, which is nearly triple the price $1,100-$1,200 or so..

What jusitfies the massive price difference between the 700 and the 400.. Is it simply better sound?

They call the 700 a "mobile tuner/cd player", yet they call the 400 only a cd player/receiver..

What the hell is the difference?

Damn that CD 400 looks sexy with the amber display lit up... Matches the interior of the Q perfectly..

I think I will go with a NAK CD 400 with some sort of aux hookup for Sat radio.. I guess I'm screwed on the MP3s until I figure out something else.

[AZ94Q]

Jesda,

Do you have any EXP with any other NAK products, besides head units?

I would like to give them my support, as I really like their head units..

SpeakersSubwoofersAmps

Are all of their products as good as their head units are?

[rsiwicki]

Quote »Carputer Thread with pics.[/quote]

That right there has got to be the best damn custom stereo setup I have probably ever seen...IMHO. I have not been into car stereo in ages...but that right there is something else. After all my mods and the paint job...you can bet that this will be my final mod. Got to find somebody in Miami that knows what there doing and get me one of these.

[MattB]

The new Nakamichi CD-500 plays MP3s.

[AZ94Q]

Matt,

Thanks for the heads up! I saw the 500 on one website. It's not even listed on NAK's USA website..

I love NAK products.. The reviews I've read for the subs, are all stellar 4-5 every time..

I can get two 10 inch nak subs for under $300 dollars.. Apparently 0 distortion, and sound great, regardless of what music you listen to..

Only downside is they don't handle that much power. This is fine with me, as I'm not looking to rattle the world with my subs..

[AZ94Q]

This CD 500 is sexay!

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com...13363

It looks like it didn't launch in the U.S., or if it did barely.. I'm having troubles finding it.. One site so far, and it's out of stock. It isn't even listed on their USA webpage.. WTF!!!

[AZ94Q]

Wow, their US distribution for new products is nill..

I found only one website in the U.S. selling the NAK 500.. (onlinecarstereo.com) They list is as out of stock

If you goto google and search for it, it lists a bunch of foreign websites.. If this thing plays mp3s, I'm sold..

[AZ94Q]

Hmm, they don't list it as out of stock.. I got it confused with something else..

It would be nice if it was sold somewhere else, or I could get some more info on it.

[AZ94Q]

Mattb,

Thank you very much for the info! You have solved my biggest concern with NAK, the lack of mp3s.. I will definetely be going with this head unit..

Sucks NAK isn't pushing this unit in the U.S.

Oh well, shouldn't be that hard to get one.

Thanks again

Matt: Any idea if the CD-500 supports ID3tags? It doesn't support CD texts, so I am a little worried. Although I thought ID3tag support was default by now..

[Rex]

AZ, here's everything in one - DVD/CD/MP3/GPS navigation receiver & XM Satellite Radio controls, just a bit pricey.

[AZ94Q]

Rex,

I was checking those out. I don't mind the price so much, they are absolutely loaded with features..

I'm just not sure how it would look in the Q...

[NY94J30]

Thats intersting, I hadn't seen that CD-500 yet either, and that was the only place I could find it too.

There's a place called etronics, i beleive, thats where I got my cd400 for $289. I know they are licensed to sell Nakamichi. Maybe call them and see what they have to say.

By the way, I linked this in another thread, but I think these tnew eclipse double din A/V units are so hot, but there's no price yet so far as I can find:

http://www.eclipse-web.com/

[Jesda]

Jesda,

Do you have any EXP with any other NAK products, besides head units?

I would like to give them my support, as I really like their head units..

SpeakersSubwoofersAmps

Are all of their products as good as their head units are?

I've only owned their CD headunits, which even at their base price and feature set sounds better than anything else out there -- period.

I've heard rave reviews about their cassette players and changers, but unfortunately have not seen or tried or heard about anything else they produce.

Lexus used to use Nakamichi as the brand for their stock audio, and it sounded "good" (clean mids and highs) but not outstanding in any way -- because the factory speakers were decent but nothing great.

Since Nak. took a nosedive, Lexus now uses Mark Levinson for their head units. Its nice but nothing special.

-Jesda

[AZ94Q]

You think Lexus went with Mark levinson over NAK, because of naks financial condition?

This is something I always wondered.. why did lex stop using nak, when they used them for so long.. I've heard the levinson stereo on the lex, it's nice, but nothing spectacular.. it has a relative low wattage as well. The top of the line Bose system in the Q45 sounds nearly as good, and it isn't some outrageous option either..

I like how nak included a 10 inch sub in their old lexus systems.. I think

[gloucester Q]

az94q-i have a cd-400 in my 93, but it (the complete stereo install) is not exactly complete yet, sort of a work in progress... started 4 months ago, and still not done...visually, i will say, it looks great in the car, can post a pic in the next day or two if you're interested. you're right that it's not feature heavy, but it's got what i need, cd and radio. i've got a couple non-sound-quality gripes with it--it's not as easy as it should be to tune up the sound--adjusting bass, treble, sub, volume on the fly isn't difficult, it's just not straight forward. also, the display washes out really easy in sunlight and gets hard to see. and lastly, my radio reception is not as good as it was with the original bose, which got me to wondering if the bose unit had an internal booster for the radio. i hadn't really thought too far into the future when i bought the head unit (the bose was giving me some grief, and i just figured i'd replace it instead of repairing it). anyway, i changed over the speakers to infinitys in the rear deck and nakamichi components in the front. it's my opinion that the head unit power is not sufficient to drive the speakers. it's rated at something like 22 x 4, and supposedly it's a pretty distortion free signal, but it just didn't have the power to fill out the car,l particularly the low end. now here i might mention that i'm looking into re-examining my install of the front speakers--checking the baffle/mounting board i made, somehow the sound out of the front is not as tight as i think it ought to be, but i don't attribute it to either the deck or the speakers, just to my job of doing it. anyway, having decided that the deck power wasn't enough (those ported enclosures on the bose really do a nice job of filling out the bass, you can tell in their absence), i borrowed a sub from a friend, borrowed one amp and bought another. i'm trying to arrive at a good straight forward solution for this, and i'm not there yet, but i have been experimenting and making some progress. with a sub (think i was sending ~150w to it) and getting the speakers about 40w of clean power, then things start sounding really nice, and the then nakamichi starts being worth it--sound quality starts jumping out at you, and being able to control the sub level from the head unit is nice. anyway, i don't know if that helps, or if so, how much. now that we're FINALLY having some nice weather in my area, i hope to get this thing straightened out sooner rather than later, and can provide an update for you if you're still shopping around. i will at least say this--if you're doing it yourself, the q really is a nightmare to run cables and wires for speakers/amps. it's possible, but on more than one occasion right in the middle of it i was questioning my sanity for having started the project in the first place. -randy

[AZ94Q]

"By the way, I linked this in another thread, but I think these tnew eclipse double din A/V units are so hot, but there's no price yet so far as I can find:"

Which model were you talking about? I'm browsing their site, they have a bunch of new stuff.. anyone in paticular?

Randy,

Thanks for the info! The bose speakers are pretty good, espically if you get a high fi head unit.. the bose head unit isn't that great. It seems the speakers really come out if you get a nice head unit, or add some dynamat, or both..

Some pics, would be great.. if it isn't to big of a deal..

I am definetely going with NAK.. The sound quality seems unparalled at the price.

I think I will try using all NAK components.. I read some reviews of the sub, and they sound fantastic.. I will definetely get an amp to power the speakers, as it seems the head unit isn't sufficient..

I'm thinking

NAK CD 500.. Must have mp3s.. If for some reason I can't get the 500, I'll go with the 400

Two NAK 10 inch subs

New front/rear speakers

Add tweeters to the pillars possibly..

Amp

I'm going to go crazy with the dynamat.. I want to do all the doors, trunk, and possibly floorboards (although I hear this is a helluva job)

I want my car to be vault like.. I want all the doors to sound like you are sealing a vault, as opposed to closing a tin can (which they sound like now)

I also want to null out roadnoise.. I wonder if the 94+ thicker glass is a plug and play swap with the 90-93..

I'm thinking of going with the dynamat extreme bulk pack, and seeing how that works out.. then adding more as needed.

[Rex]

AZ - I admire your pursuit of sound quality, but I thought you were building a "street racer". All that sound deadening material will add significant weight, ok maybe not significant, but if you want a fast car weight is your enemy.

As for going with all NAK stuff, that is also admirable. I can't speak for their current subs and amps, but the stuff they made in the late 80's early 90's was TOP SHELF stuff. And it would reflect the quality of what an audiophile would have put in a Q at that time. Much like I was going to put some Phoenix Gold amps in an 89/90 240SX (project that has been since shelved).

[AZ94Q]

Rex,

Hehe, you are right.. I have lost total focus of what to do to my upcoming project Q.

I know I will be taking it to as many open track days in the west as I can find. I plan on hitting all the cali tracks (socal/nocal) on the open track days, and also doing the nevada open road challenge.. Perhaps even the one lap across america, although I'm not sure I like this event..

I basically just like to drive on tracks, as fast as possible. The Q was never meant to be a track car, and I realize this. What I like to do, is go to open track days, and run for the fun of it.. I'm not going to enter any endurance races or SCCA type competitive events. While I would love to do this, I don't have the time/resources/crew to accomplish this. I'm simply looking for any opportunity to drive the Q to the limits, on the the nices road courses in the West.. I also would like to take part in the open road challenges in nevada.. Maintaining set speed for set distance, seems like a fun challenge..

So if making my car completely vault like and silent costs me some weight, I am not to concerned. If I had the time/resources/etc I would like to do a dgoodno type project, and completely gut a Q.. then try to race it competitvely..

I will probably remove the roll cage that the car is coming equiped with.. This will save some weight, and I don't think I really need it. It was put in to pass spec for a 24 hour endurance race, where it placed second!! I'm not looking to do anything that hardcore, so the cage is more of a detrament to me at this point (takes up all my back seat/costs weight/etc)

All that being said, I would like to keep weight gain down to a minimum, as the car is already an A model.. I'm hoping with the dynamat extreme bulk pak and all the stereo accessories I will only look at gaining 100 pounds or so...

I'm going to hit the gym, so I can save some weight the good old fashioned way, and better justify the weight gain from all these accesories..

As for using the NAK stuff.. I kind of like the idea of using Japanese sound in a Japanese car, not that it matters, but what the hell.. I also want to give them my support, as they have fallen on hard financtial times.. They are the only ones who make head units I like.. There are some other ones blapunkt clarion and eclipse who make relatively flashless head units, but NAK is the only one who makes a trully clean/sexy OEM style unit..

I was looking at that amp you have pictured, sounds nice.. It's about $500, with the lower wattage one running $250.00..

I'm not sure what to do about tweeters. I would like to pick up some tweeter grills form a 94+ and retro fit them. I like the way they look, and seem to be a good casing for tweeters.. Although I'm not sure if this is possible. I will probably just let the sound installers take care of this. I like good clean sound, no matter what I'm listening to. NAK seems to be quality all the way around. Any review of NAK components, rather it be head unit/sub/etc has been top notch.. Nobody ever complains about the sound quality, it really seems like the choice of audiophiles.. if it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me.

Are the front/rear speakers 6 1/2s?

[Rex]

LOL the most "disposable" weight in any car ... the driver

[dorifkin]

I would go with the Clarion 9255 if it can be bought for 800 or less. Just looks beautiful and sounds really just as great. http://www.clarion.com/usa/pro...9255#

[AZ94Q]

That looks like one mean head unit.. the fidelity must be amazing at that price, and lack of features..

[NY94J30]

"By the way, I linked this in another thread, but I think these tnew eclipse double din A/V units are so hot, but there's no price yet so far as I can find:"

Which model were you talking about? I'm browsing their site, they have a bunch of new stuff.. anyone in paticular?

I was referring to the AVX 2454, w/ nav (albeit DVD), 20G hard drive recordable from cd and radio, dvd, cd, mp3, 9 band graphic equlaizer, 24 bit d/a, optional back up camera, fixed 6.5inch screen. I love this thing. Though my guess is ~$2000. Also, you would think that the remote wouldn't be an option on a highend high priced unit like this

[AZ94Q]

When you say DVD nav, do you mean it has no GPS tracking?? Just a bunch of preloaded maps?

[gloucester Q]

not exactly the best pictures, but here they are:



the last picture is meant to show where the mounting kit (standard crutchfield fare), dash trim, and head unit all meet. with the included trim ring, the dash trim would not fit over it. without the trim ring, there was a gap. i used black adhesive backed neoprene (included with the nak, but what for was never clear) taped around all 4 sides of the unit and it filled in this gap quite nicely. i imagine the cd-500 will share this fitment issue.i should give thanks to highwayq45 (i think, it's been a while) for sending me pics of his kenwood head unit and some tips on install.

[AZ94Q]

Thanks for the pics!!

You have a first gen right?? I guess you put the 94+ gold clock in your first gen..

I spoke with NAK directly, regarding the CD-500. They told me it isnt available in the US market yet, and probablt won't be until 4th quarter 2004. They said any unit being sold in the U.S. now is a cd-500 from a different country. They said there would be no warranty included, as it's not an official U.S. product, as of yet.

[NY94J30]

When you say DVD nav, do you mean it has no GPS tracking?? Just a bunch of preloaded maps?

DVD based as opposed to hard loaded. But it is a navigation system, not just an atlas.

[NY94J30]

az94q-i've got a couple non-sound-quality gripes with it--it's not as easy as it should be to tune up the sound--adjusting bass, treble, sub, volume on the fly isn't difficult, it's just not straight forward.

I haven't found that its not straight forward, only that you have to scroll through all functions in order - but I think thats pretty standard.

az94q-also, the display washes out really easy in sunlight and gets hard to see.

I dont find that the case either. Are you aware of the contrast funtion. Power down the unit and press the disp button. I have mine set at 5 - the hightest - and its excellent in sun and at night

az94q-and lastly, my radio reception is not as good as it was with the original bose, which got me to wondering if the bose unit had an internal booster for the radio.

I agree with you there. There is 2 antennas the mast and a diversity antenna in the rear windshield, w/ an adapter they should both work. But this is the second time I've changed out my HU in the BOSE w/ 2 different units and cars, and both times the recpetion degraded. Could just be a great tuner in the Clarion/Bose unit

az94q-it's my opinion that the head unit power is not sufficient to drive the speakers. it's rated at something like 22 x 4, and supposedly it's a pretty distortion free signal, but it just didn't have the power to fill out the car,l particularly the low end. now here i might mention that i'm looking into re-examining my install of the front speakers--checking the baffle/mounting board i made, somehow the sound out of the front is not as tight as i think it ought to be, but i don't attribute it to either the deck or the speakers, just to my job of doing it.

HU power will never be sufficient to drive quality speakers - if they are efficient enough to run at 22W, they arent high quality in terms of full range reproduction. You won't be able to hear the quality of reproduction until you reach the efficiency range of a good pair of SQ drivers - probably 60-100W min.

az94q-anyway, having decided that the deck power wasn't enough (those ported enclosures on the bose really do a nice job of filling out the bass, you can tell in their absence), i borrowed a sub from a friend, borrowed one amp and bought another. i'm trying to arrive at a good straight forward solution for this, and i'm not there yet, but i have been experimenting and making some progress.

Thats the right idea. I'm adding one 12 inch driver in <1ft^3 sealed enclosure seeing about 400W @ 4ohms

az94q-with a sub (think i was sending ~150w to it) and getting the speakers about 40w of clean power, then things start sounding really nice, and the then nakamichi starts being worth it--sound quality starts jumping out at you,

I'd go with a little more power for full range

I love this HU, it really is in my estimation the best SQ unit for the money - fuctions aside.

[kimrober]

How about this 2-DIN unit from Kenwood?from:http://www.kenwoodusa.com/prod...2557#

[MiniMan]

GAH, kimrober! I've been looking for something like this for SO long! I was ready to buy a headrest monitor (which lets the screen pop out mind you) for my dash. Too bad it's not VGA or it would be perfect for my setup. Thanks for the link!

Corey

[dorifkin]

The eclipse 8454 will sound better than any US spec Nak. It also has all the features your looking for and then more. Like 8v preouts and there ESN security network.

and sorry if this has already been mentioned but are you going for ultimate sq? Because the mp3 feature really negate's this goal. Unless of course ur like me and have mp3 disks for cruising around and then original recordings for showing off.