It's Oh So "Pretty"!
Written: Nov 07 '00 (Updated Jun 07 '01)
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Pros: Rest assured you've bought the best in the industry
Cons: Price, hard to read in direct sunlight
The Bottom Line: Awesome deck, but a bit overkill for the average consumer. Unless they like having the best when above average will do =)
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| macross's Full Review: Sony CDX-C90 CD Receiver Camcorder |
I recently purchased this headunit to replace the headunit that it replaced. I had the CDX-C910, which used to be Sony's top-of-the-line headunit a couple years ago. Sony replaced that deck with this one, so I had to follow and get the new version =)
Well, I purchased this deck off ebay for $600. The deck came in almost new condition. While most people think, woah, $600 for a deck, he's crazy, I think, DEEEAL! (You'll have to excuse me. I'm suffering from the disease carried by the audio bug that is transmitted when it bites)
Anyway, the area where this deck shines is in its Burr Brown quad 20-bit digital to analog converters. Well, basically this means that it puts out a CLEAN signal. Cleaner than any other deck on the market, in fact. The only other deck that has quad 20-bit DACs was the 9255 Clarion deck from a couple years ago. Nakamichi currently makes the CD-700 which employs a 24-bit DAC, but that's only a single one. Many companies top end headunits only have single, 1-bit DACs. People who buy this deck are most likely buying it for its DACs. I bought it for that and cause I was really satisfied with the previous model.
Even though you're buying this deck for its DACs, this deck has more options than you know what to do with. The CD file feature where you can name CDs is really helpful for seeing what CDs you have in the changer. The features that I've found most helpful actually doesn't come with the headunit, but is actually an add-on (as if the deck didn't cost enough already). This deck also shines as you add on more components. You can add on multiple changers, TV tuners, TV screens, equalizers, and digital signal processors. With each add-on, The deck allows you access to more features. Anyway, the add-on I chose was a DSP/equalizer, the XDP-210EQ. This EQ was actually optimized to be used with the CDX-C910, and the XDP-4000X was optimized for this deck, but the 4000X is another $1000 whereas the 210EQ is $600. Well, the features that are added on with the 210EQ are a 18 band eq for the front, a 3 band for the rear, crossover points for the sub, front and rear, and time alignment adjustments that allow you to move the "sweet spot" of the music.
Probably the most important feature to this deck, other than its DACs, is its removable faceplate. Of course, most decks have that feature these days, but it's more important on this one! After all, you don't want someone to steal your $1200 deck!
One thing that is nice about this deck actually shouldn't even matter, but is nice to have. It actually looks its price! =) With my previous deck, even though it was the top of the line Sony unit and had a MSRP of $900, people who weren't into car audio would ask me why I chose that deck. "It doesn't even look that great." Well, that's cuz you aren't paying for looks. You're paying for the technology. Well, it was nice having that deck, too, because if I ever forgot to remove the faceplate, a thief looking into my car wouldn't see a $900 deck, they'd see a typical-looking Sony deck. Well, now, I get compliments on how my deck looks. One of the first comments I received after installing it was "nice face". I kinda laughed and just said "thanks." I've also gotten the comment from a girl, "Ooo, pretty stereo!" So, this deck is nice in that not only audio freaks, but normal Joes can appreciate it.
There are flaws to this deck, however. The biggest problem is one that I noticed immediately. The screen is somewhat hard to read in sunlight. The previous model also suffered from this problem. It was almost impossible to read in sunlight. The faceplate also doesn't grab on with much authority when you put it back on. It comes off like any other faceplate, but it doesn't snap right back on like it's predecessor did. You have to jiggle it around sometimes to get it to go on straight and catch. Another problem that I find with the deck, isn't so much a problem, just a preference. The deck only has 4 volt preouts. While 4 volt preouts is great on lower decks, in a industry of 8 volt preouts almost standard on otehr companies' top end decks and even 13 volt line drivers, one would expect higher 8 volt preout or so on this deck. It is true that higher voltage is virtually worthless if the deck has a high impedance, such as the top end Alpine headunit, the 7949, with a impedance of 180 ohms. Even though the C90's impedance is lower than 100 ohms, it ought to have a higher preout voltage.
Also, for that price, you really don't get much in terms of features. I know I said that it had a lot of features, which is true, but compared to other top end decks, such as the Pioneer Premier P1R, this deck doesn't have very many. The P1R has an EQ and the time alignment built into it already, and its MSRP is $330 lower. Well, I guess they had to make room in the C90 for the 4 DACs!
Well, this deck is great, but it all comes at a price. You shouldn't buy this deck unless you are a HARDCORE audio freak. It is quite easy to hear the difference between this deck and lower end ones, but that's because I've listened to this deck for hours and hours. I can't really hear the difference between this deck and my previous one, but that's because my previous deck had the same burr brown DACs. And anyway, I'm an audio freak, I'm allowed to spend massive amounts of money on stuff I don't really need.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 600
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Epinions.com ID:
macross
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Member: Jason Wei
Location: LA,CA
Reviews written: 15
Trusted by: 5 members
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