Advise needed about HU's

Time to upgrade my HU to something more Ipod friendly.

Currently have a Clarion CDM5. Boat is a 09, back then I ran an Ipod adapter to RCA for source.

It has worked good for the past few years. Now Im noticing a buzz in the speakers when the boat is running, while using the IPOD as source.. No problems at all with the use of a CD. I want the best possible sound from the IPOD as that is the only source for music for us these days.

Anyway time for an upgrade.

Here is what I am thinking and want everyones opinions and feedback if you have used or set up the following:

Clarion CDM6 or CMV1

Alpine CDA-118M

Kenwood KMR-700U


The remotes are also key as I have a RZ2 the HU is in the glovebox and I will have to access via the remote(s)


Here is my System to date:

WS 650's X6 powered by a Herz HP4
WS Double up Powered by another HP4
WS 12XXX powered by a Hertz HP2
Muliple batterys.


Thanks in advance for any imput on the above.

Why replace the head unit when its probably not the source of the ipod noise? Its generally caused by a worn connecting cable or using the wrong external power supply.

David
Earmark Marine

You can't go wrong with an Alpine head Unit. And you definitely have some of the best equipment in the marine stereo with Wet Sounds

When using your Ipod do you want to be able to control the music from the controls on the head unit or the controls on the Ipod

Hi Dave,

I want to "update" the HU to better the sound quality from the IPOD. I am not interested in replacing the cable to test to see if the noise is gone.. In other words just time for a change.

Murphy, I like controlling with the IPOD but am willing to give it up for the new type interfaces all these HU's feature.. I do like the alpine only downside is the remotes ( x2) are pricy

But if Alpine produces a better sound and more function then money well spent.. thats why I want users opinions on all the HU's

Thanks'

As long as you are coming out of the bottom port of the ipod rather than the top headphone jack then the sound quality will essentially be the same regardless of the source unit brand you chose....at least pertaining to the ipod portion. So an upgrade replacement is not going to impact this as long as you were using the right interface or cables to begin with.
The Alpine remotes are a little more expensive by themselves but keep in mind that you do not have to upgrade the cables and 'Y' splitters along with new remotes as you would with other options because they connect via radio frequency and the required positives and grounds are already run in the form of illumination. They are roughly the same size and shape as the existing Clarion remotes. The larger Alpine remote will drop into the Clarion 2-inch remote opening and will only need an adapter to reduce the opening from the larger Clarion remote at the helm. In the final analysis the Alpine is comparably not much more for the remote change over.
The Alpine ipod functionality is excellent, with really good preouts and its really nice to have the dual zone control on the remote control at the helm.
While the Alpine is my personal favorite I could definitely live with the Clarion or Kenwood source units also.

David
Earmark Marine

You don't have to give that up. Yes, there is always the Ipod full speed cable which locks up the ipod and permits control only from the h/u.

If you want to control from the Ipod - get you an Alpine AI-Net to RCA adapter and a Peripheral IS75 cable. This allows you to control the playlist features from the ipod while utilizing the connection on the bottom of the ipod which is the better choice.

This is the setup I run and I love it.

420 buddy. Cmd5 sucks like all clarions(I have one too)

Any word on when the New Alpine Marine models will be out? It seems like the current ones have been out for a year now and was wondering if they replace them yearly.

I could be wrong, but I think the 118M is the latest HU from Alpine.. Isnt it is new for 2011 along with the MC2 remote?.. Again could be wrong..

BTW Thanks David and Murphy for the feedback..