HELP New Stereo, decisions decisions

MrSony

Geezer
Nov 15, 2014
7,013
7,222
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Des Moines, Iowa
Contemplating buying a Sanyo FXCD 500 or 550, or an alpine 7582. All of them on ebay right now new in box. All around $300-$350. Stock radio just doesn't cut it anymore. I've already spent $200 trying to get it fixed some years ago, and it's on it's last legs. Randomly shuts off, can't handle the sub hardly at all, etc.

The sanyo 500 I like the look of better than the 550, but only has two channel preamp output but the 550 has 4 channel.

I couldn't find much info on the 7582, but it's an alpine so it's gotta be better than a sanyo.

They're all very similar in terms of power, overall specs, and features. The sanyos have the perks of being both a CD AND tape player.
I currently just have pioneer 3.5s/4x10s, a 10" sub and a walmart Amp. Eventually probably add some 6.5s in the doors and change the 4x10 to 6x9. Nothing complicated.

Yes they're all cassette decks, yes that's what I want.

My question is, do any of you have any experience with any of these units? What was good or bad about them?

Thanks for your time.
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I'm not sure if you are trying to keep a cassette deck or not, but the one I got is this Kenwood CD player for $99 new. It has 3 sets of RCA jacks for front. rear and sub inputs. And it looks good too. ( which we all know is important )


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Maybe a trip to the ol' yard & raid a S truck or C/K with a 1.5 din radio & slave unit to have both cassette & CD. Might need to get creative to mount the radio as the '96 & newer aren't as "universal" like earlier units 7 the slave unit could be part or the console. Even check out the guys on Ebay that sales referbed Delcos that play cassetts & has an aux port added. Maybe it might be time to go digital with the tunes. I currently havein the stash a 4th gen Camaro Delco/Bose CD radio for my car & Jr. has a Pioneer I pulled from the Pick N Pull that is a 1 DIN with CD, USB & aux port. Been thinking about one of those retro 1.5 DIN radios just to have my SiriusXM in all the rides like the dailys.
 
I'm not sure if you are trying to keep a cassette deck or not, but the one I got is this Kenwood CD player for $99 new. It has 3 sets of RCA jacks for front. rear and sub inputs. And it looks good too. ( which we all know is important )


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I'd like to change my brake pedal to one like you have with the chrome trim. Where did you get it, does it say "DISK BRAKE"
 
From what I've seen, the options today for a head unit with tape player are very limited and to have CD/tape is a miracle. Between my sister and I there's been a Sanyo TV, portable CD player, and a couple of head units- no complaints at all. Alpine made a great name for themself but the quality of everything under $500 took a dive 15 years ago, though they might be better again now. I don't know. But there's not much info on this head unit anyway so you'd be completely trusting the name and hoping for the best.

My experience across the board says that the cheap stuff has gotten better now that patents are expiring, and that many trusted names have inferior products/pricing because they've made no improvements but want profits. I'd go with a Sanyo, and also prefer the look of the 500. The real question is this: are the additional pre amp hookups of the 550 more important? Cuz you won't miss those 5 extra watts even without an amp.... Appearance vs 4 CH.?

If having a factory GM radio with tape and CD interests you then an unlocked double DIN from a 2000 Buick Le Sabre might work. No pre amps though.

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you need one of these bad boys!
 
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If I had more than 2 cds
Not a bad unit tho
When it comes to old radios I love that one.
Something the dolphin swimming brings back memories of being a kid in my brothers 87 cutlass.
 
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