I'm aware of Alpine and Sony making head units that can play CDR's of MP3 data (hmmm 650mb of tunes ) but are there any other manufacturers out there?

Also, anyone in here have one? How is it?

 

The first unit on the market was, rather surprisingly, from Aiwa though this doesn't get much coverage.

Next came the Kenwood 6090, which seems universally loved and cheap for what you actually get at around 250 quid.

Above that, there's the Kenwood Z828MP at around 400 quid, which adds a bit in terms of quality, features and looks. Being honest, I can't see anything in its feature list that makes me think it's worth 150 quid more than the kenwood unit which, up until now, has effectively had the market to itself.

Nick.

 

Just to give you a bit more info, loads of people on this board have the 6090, and a friend of mine has it and rates it as a good source. I've listend to, and played with one quite a bit - you really can't go far wrong.

No doubt others will appear at a more civilised hour

 

The 6090 is the one I am looking at just now, very nice.

Does it come with a remote? Also does it have a rotating face plate or is it a flip-off?

Cheers

 

It's a d-mask unit, so it rotates to allow you to put the CD in, hides itself if you want it, and is removable for when you're paranoid.

See the t3 review for a pretty good run-down on its features.

Nick.

 

Just a small caveat - there's two versions of the 6090 - KDC-6090R, which is bog standard and doesn't play MP3, and the KDC-MP6090R, which is the one that you want!!!!

 

Thanks for the info and link guys!

And at under £300 I'll have enough cash left over for a sub

 

Yeah go for the kenwood 6090r, i have just installed mine and it is really brill. If your burning your own cd's which you will be wanting an mp3 go for 80min cd and you get about 150 songs on 1 cd. Powerful too running at 47wX4, go get it you wont be dissapointed.

 

Heh, just bought one

I get my scooby on Monday and the stereo fitted on Wednesday.... w00t!

Does the 6090 play any bitrate of MP3? Most of my collection is 192kbps and above.

 

Yeah 192kbs is top rate and is definately ok.

 

I have been looking at the Kenwood MP6090 too, and have been impressed by what i've seen. However, I was led to beleive it only plays upto a bitrate of 128.
I read a mag in the newsagent this month that reviews several MP3 CD players, including the Kenwood. The Alpine was the best but most expensive, but the new JVC was best all round. Its also silver, so would look better in my MY01 dash.
The model was JVC KD-SH99, has anyone got any experience of this one?

 

Hi Everybody!

I too have a 6090 and thing it the mutts nutts!

In the manual it does say it only does one bit rate (cant remember which and cant be arsed to go look)

I recorded my first disk before reading this at variable bit rate for optimum quality - it worked. Im not making any guarantees but take all the restrictions in the manual with a pinch of salt.

Record any way you want and if it doesnt work youve lost 50p - big deal!

By the way MR Claw. I have consistently failed to get 80 minute disks to work in any head unit even when playing normal audio files. How did you do it?

From the above my only tip is not to buy or record music on 80 minute disks but I hope to be enlightened.....

Cheers

 

Hmm...I think I have a problem with my MP6090

There is a slight buzzing noise from the front n/s speaker at all times except when the face is off the unit i.e it is there even when the display says "ALL OFF". If I take the face off, it stops after a couple of seconds; if I put the face back on, it starts after 6 seconds or so.

It sounds like the old fashioned interference from an ignition system, but it is there even when the engine is switched off i.e ignition key is in 'AUX' (obviously, with the ignition key 'OFF' there is no noise )

The buzz doesn't vary with speed and I don't think it increases with an increased volume setting, but I'm not sure about the latter.

Any views on whether its deffo the unit, or could it be the speaker??? This is the first unit ever run thro' the speakers (it's a new P1) and I've nver turned it up really loud

Martin

 

Sounds like the speaker or the cabling is damaged.


Still not got my mp6090 fitted [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img] It goes in at 1pm tomorrow

 

Just got the 6090 fitted and I'm well pleased with it. The only problem is that the plastic surround won't properly clip in place. It pops off at one corner every now and then...... anyone else have this problem?

Other than that it's a great head unit

 

Of course the daddy of them all is the empeg player from empeg.com. The size of a car stereo, but holds up to 1000 CD's (or 60Gb) ripped to mp3 at high quality. Also has RDS radio, screensavers, special effects and it runs Linux. It also pops out and can slot into a home music setup. Pretty cheap too - under £1000 (okay, add whatever for a big amplifier) But it does sound awesome in a P1!!

[Edited by frog51 - 10/29/2001 2:02:04 PM]

 

just purchased a kenwood MP6090R...

£255.90 inc vat + delivery!

from incar-discount.co.uk

 

I've had my kenwood 6090 from when they were first launched and I'm very pleased with performance.
1 thing I have noticed is if played loud using mp3 for about an hour or so it tends to hurt my ears more than normal cd's do. (yes I know I should turn it down, but can't help myself)
Make sure u use good quality disks or it can skip. I have no problem at all when using TDK disks.
steve

 

You guys should give mp3pro a try. Great midrange and a 96kbps encoded file plays like a 192kbps file..... very sweet indeed

I don't have a link (I'm at work) but fire up google.com and search for it.

BTW it is backwards compatible with normal mp3's and mp3 players

 

Cheers sKunk, will check it out. The joy of building your own unit is that you can accomodate new stuff like this when it comes along.

Empeg has been discontinued and is now at a more realistic price. I'd be tempted if I had a spare 600 quid!

Nick.

 

Nick, the Z828 looks like being a lot more than £400.