Alpine CDE-9874R

CD Tuner with MP3 file reading abilities, CD text and RDS FM tuner. An auxiliary microjack socket on the front may be used for connecting any audio device but there is also a dedicated trailing connection socket on the rear that you may add your iPod to, via an accessory wire called KCE-422i. This then allows full control of the iPod at full speed from your deck. This product is part of the made for iPod programme. Bluetooth ready by addition of extra box. This is the first deck I have learned about that can have its internal amplifier switched off for enhanced sound quality via the front panel controls. You can set the centre frequency for both bass and treble adjusters and bandwidth of bass adjustment as well as also choosing your bass crossover point.
– 4 x 45w but his internal amplifier may be disconnected!
– CD Text and plays CD-R/RW
– MP3 playback with ID3 Tag v1 & v2 supported
– iPod control by addition of Alpine Full Speed connection cable KCE-422i (4th gen and above but not Shuffle)
– Front & Rear (or sub) RCA out @2V
– Bass adjustment +/-14dB @ 60Hz, 80Hz, 100Hz or 200Hz with four selectable bandwidth choices
– Treble adjustment +/-14dB @10kHz, 12.5kHz, 15kHz or 17.5kHz with individual source level memories
– Bluetooth ready (needs optional KCE-300BT box)
– Front auxiliary audio input on micro jack
– High pass filter settable at 80Hz, 120Hz or 160Hz or able to be defeated
– Subwoofer level control
– May be muted by signal from external device
– Manual supplied on CD Rom in three territorial flavours and in eight languages in total, plus printed start up guide
– Signal to Noise Ratio 105dB
– Dynamic range 95dB
– Channel Separation (@1kHz) 85dB
– Removable panel security with hard carrying case included
Review by Adam Rayner
A deck with the Made for iPod logo shown on the front of the quick start manual, this’ll read MP3 files and has all the usual CD player functions. The main manual being on CD Rom is a great idea but I do believe in paper, especially for the soul with no short term memory (who me? Sorry, what were we talking about? ) who wants to refer to it in the car after installation. I guess that any computer owner could print it out but I did see this as a sad thing. Having said that, the publishing costs versus the amount of versions of a thick manual you can cram onto a CD has it’s points and this is made to sell at around £150, which is very keen indeed for what it does.
It has the classic Alpine looks with a lovely gunmetal bar across the top of the display and said display is clear without having any serious bling appeal. The front Aux input is a nice touch and is seen increasingly on many sorts of decks. This machine clearly represents a new level of inclusive features for the money and has some seriously high concept stuff onboard. An internal amplifier that may be disabled when using the RCA outputs, which themselves are at a healthy 2V rather than the old 500mv standard for better sound quality is particularly impressive. The Human Machine Interface is all done via the rotary control and can prove a little daunting just when starting out but is pretty simple in fact. The search function is lovely – instead of all that track-at-a-time hopping that gives you gaps and bits of the tracks as you go through if you are not quick enough on repeated button presses is replaced with a keystroke, a knob turn and another single keystroke when your desired CD track is shown in the display. Only then do you get Musicus Interruptus and seamlessly jump from the track one to nine or whatever.
As to sound quality, this had the misfortune to be connected to the fabulously good sounding new test rig with the B&W LM1 leisure monitor speakers immediately following the awesome Clarion HXD2 thousand pound deck. Despite the piffle spoken about audio memory, I can remember the difference (anyone ever in a car crash of any size will recall the sound all their lives – with sincere apologies to those whose PTS I have triggered just making the point) and this deck simply isn’t top end. However it isn’t meant to be (Alpine go ALL the way in this and DO sell their best in the UK) but does have some serious quality on offer for the money.
It is dynamic and detailed and does have some real punch in the signal as well as ability to resolve all sorts of details from my new favourite test disc from Focal loudspeakers, ‘Spirit of Sound No. 6′. The signal to noise ratio is actually a highly creditable 105dB versus most makers’ 98dB at this price point so is a bit special in that.
If you care about good brands, good quality controls and the looks of your equipment as well as having some of the top features around and the best sound quality you can get for the money, this may be the best spend of that key £150 price point around.
Sound Quality 8.0
Appearance/Display 8.0
Ease Of Use/HMI 8.0
Features 9.0
Value For Money 9.0
Overall rating 8.4