Alpine iDA-X001 [Archive]

Sloggeh

13-05-2008, 18:47

Hi, i've been looking at headunits all weekend and all week so far and the only one i actually like the look of is this...

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop//images/var/ALPINE-IDA-X001.jpg

Now from the following write up, and i right or wrong in assuming you can plug in a USB stick with music on as well as an IPOD?

I dont have an IPOD nor do i want one, but i've plenty of USB sticks if they work in it?

Anyone know,

James.

Ryan

13-05-2008, 18:54

thought it was iPod only, no USB

Clellandmc

13-05-2008, 18:56

Think you have to buy an adaptor to use USB with it iirc.

BatMan

13-05-2008, 18:56

i got this headunit best iv had so far, and yes u cn plug in a usb

Chris26

13-05-2008, 18:57

As far as i know it will work with a usb stick, you may need an optional adaptor (i dont think you do)
it's more ipod based though, and i dicided not to go for it, because it dosent take CD's and i dont have an ipod. using USB you will sacrifice some features you would get when using an ipod, like album art.
This is the latest version of the one you were looking at:
http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/alpine-idax100-p-6482.html

This is the one i decided to buy, it has a USB socket on the back, you just plug a USB extension cable in lead it into the car, and plug memory sticks into it, it didn't seem to like my 2.5" USB hard drive though:
http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/alpine-cda9886r-p-6397.html

Edit: from alpine site:

"The built-in USB interface lets you connect and control selected MP3 players* (MTP standard) as well as USB memory sticks, enables convenient alphabetical ordering** and search functions, and provides Digital Rights Management (DRM10)* compatibility.
*iDA-X100/-X200 only **iDA-X200/-X300 only"

Sloggeh

13-05-2008, 19:20

Cheers gents, i don't have an IPOD but which would i need as a bog standard one to use along side this?

Would this work fine in it then? - http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/3431730/Play-com-8GB-USB-Flash-Drive/Product.html

James.

BatMan

13-05-2008, 19:25

ye it would mate

Chris26

13-05-2008, 19:31

I use this in my 9886r - http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/3330475/Kingston-Data-Traveler-4GB-USB-Flash-Drive/Product.html

The one you suggested should work - you need to format it in FAT32 thought, it might be in NTFS when you get it.

I aslo suggest getting a cheap usb extension cable if you havent got one. just because the usb cable doesnt come very far out of the back of the head unit.

You shouldnt need an ipod to use along side it, but if you did want to use one then i'm sure most would work, although i did read somewhere that the older generation ipods need another cable or something

Chris26

13-05-2008, 19:39

Dont forget - sound quality from an ipod isnt going to be as good as a CD, I wouldn't have thought

Neil H

13-05-2008, 20:10

Dont forget - sound quality from an ipod isnt going to be as good as a CD, I wouldn't have thought

Think Alpine have closed the gap down considerably with this unit, obviously it helps if your MP3s are at a decent bit rate, but the 20bit DAC in the X001 is an improvement.

Though it has to be said i don't think you'll get the full potential out of this unit using a USB flash drive.

Sloggeh

13-05-2008, 20:14

Which other units would people suggest, im after something around the 200-250 mark and i only choose this on looks if im honest.

James.

Neil H

13-05-2008, 20:24

Tbh i couldn't say, not for usb use as i run all my stuff off an ipod.

Though the Alpine 9885r is quite nice and has the facility to run stuff from USB if you get the additional connector,

Chris26

13-05-2008, 21:04

Sloggeh

13-05-2008, 21:40

i like the 9886r.
http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/images/shop/large/alpine/b_cda9886r.jpg
will run from USB straight out of the box :thumbs:

but to make the most of it you'd prob wanna buy this: - it allows you more customization of sound
http://www.audio66.com/product.asp?id=5797&cat=&man=1&main=&userid=743864711395673616666667&search=yes&firstsel=cat

Looks good, will that headunit play CD's?

What sort of difference will that box make, i've only got upgraded front speakers and a sub?

Is it worth it?

James.

Gazza_DJ

13-05-2008, 21:52

Dont forget - sound quality from an ipod isnt going to be as good as a CD, I wouldn't have thought

If you have all your stuff in a lossless format, then sound quality-wise it will just be down to the DAC's and quality of the rest of the system compared to a comparable CD unit rather than the source.

Neil H

14-05-2008, 08:22

Just found this lil test on Talkaudio. Hope it helps.

http://www.talkaudio.co.uk/vbb/showthread.php?t=246636

Sloggeh

15-05-2008, 09:06

Thanks for that mate, the iDA - X001 at the top is USB compatable... would it play from a portable USB hard drive full of music?

James.

Neil H

15-05-2008, 12:53

Yeah aslong as your hard drive doesn't need a power supply (like some bigger capacity ones do)

Gazza_DJ

15-05-2008, 14:58

Is there really any point in getting an iDA if you do not have an iPod?

Chris26

15-05-2008, 15:58

Looks good, will that headunit play CD's?

What sort of difference will that box make, i've only got upgraded front speakers and a sub?

Is it worth it?

James.

Yea, it plays CD's.

That box thing gives you more control over the sound - giving you EQ settings, more crossover settings, and other things - look on the alpine website:
http://www.alpine-electronics.co.uk/index.php?id=pxa-h100&no_cache=1&tx_comproductcatalog_pi1[show]=productinformation#ridercontent

LumpyCustard

16-05-2008, 14:13

About the ipod/CD quility - if you buy your music from itunes, some tracks use a better codec then a standard mp3. AAC MP4 etc from itunes (itunes+ tracks) use apple lossless codec which is CD or better then CD quility.

Gazza_DJ

16-05-2008, 14:14

Since when did iTunes offer ALAC downloads? as far as i was aware they offered 128kbps and 160kbps mainly DRMed AAC's.

LumpyCustard

17-05-2008, 02:32

some songs on itunes have a little plus next to the price, there the drm free ones. They used to charge extra for them but now there the same as all the others. i think its 256kbps, and the x001 supports them. lovely stuff

steviedude100

17-05-2008, 02:34

dont get that headunit, defo get the 9886r practically the same but plays cds ALSO which is a bonus :D

Gazza_DJ

17-05-2008, 07:39

Terrence_SXI

17-05-2008, 10:09

Thats the older model.. Ive just got the newer model and its quality.. Mines the IDA X100 which is that headunits replacement