so i need some help deciding which head unit to get for my FD. ive decided its going to be a nakamichi... but ive had a hard time finding comparisons of the various (almost identical looking) units. here are the ones im considering at the moment:

CD-300
CD-400
CD-500
MB-VI
MB-X

now... here are my requirements:
-amber back lighting
-DIMMABLE back lighting (with car illumination switch)
-aux in
-will work with US radio stations (some have said that there will be problems using a non-us model with US radio... but i dont understand what those problems would be as the frequency range seems to be the same for us and non-us versions). do i need ot specifically ask a vendor for a US model?

i know they are expensive units but ive removed price as a factor because they look so damn stock!! i dont want a light show... just want to be able to play cds, radio, and plug in an ipod. thanks for the help! -heath

 

im sure somone out there likes these things as much as i do. am i just a boring and bland person? i cant handle the megamix-disco-light-show that most cd players have

 

I'm a Nakamichi fan. I am not very familiar with the newer models though. I've had my
CD-45z for 5 years now and don't plan to change it anytime soon.. unless I find a good deal on a Mcintosh Head unit

 

I have a CD-45 that I bought back in 1998 with the MF-51 changer and I can really say its an awesome unit. People laugh when they see my cd player and it does look pretty plain. It looks like the old school sony from the early 90"s with the square buttons, but in my honest opinion it would be money well spend. As far as suggestions, I would go with the MB-VI since you have the option of loading 6 cds upfront. My buddy has the old MB-75 and has worked flawless. Unless you're trying to build a high end system in your vehicle, I think the MB-X would be a waste of money. If you ever go to car audio competitions, for sound quality, a lot of competitors use nakamichi, using the cd700. At around $1200, its a pretty expensive and plain looking cd player, but nakamichi has always built their units focusing more on sound quality and less flashy displays and buttons, etc...

 

does anyone know which player has:
-amber back lighting
-DIMMABLE back lighting (with car illumination switch)
-aux in
-will work with US radio stations (some have said that there will be problems using a non-us model with US radio... but i dont understand what those problems would be as the frequency range seems to be the same for us and non-us versions). do i need ot specifically ask a vendor for a US model?

 

According to the nakamichi website, MB-X does have a dimmer, MB-VI does not list option, and I would probably stick with a US model. MB-X and CD-500/400 have an auxilary input
http://nakamichi.com/flash.html

 

yeah i was looking at their website earlier. seems that the mb-x and the cd-500 are the only ones that have the dimmer option. i suppose because they are the top model for the cd-changer and single disc categories? unfortunately im having a hard time finding them any place (reasonably priced) but ebay, but they dont list on ebay wether they are US or non-us models. hmmph. maybe ill contact nakamichi directly. im very excited about these head units -heath

 

U.S. station use odd numbers(104.3) and non U.S. use even numbers(104.4)
if your stock radio works fine you might look into adapting the features you want instead of replacing it. http://peripheralelectronics.com/web/home.asp

 

ive replaced my stock bose head unit 3 times. im through. its time for some nak

 

Have you checked these guys, http://www.onlinecarstereo.com
That about the cheapest beside E-Bay that I've found

 

The Naks do not have an aux port to hook up your iPod.

Besides, if you own a Nak, why would you want to use an iPod? The sound quality of your music is taken down by the compression used for that iPod.

The CD-500 doesn't have detachable face, which may be important.
The CD-400 has amber lighting.
The Naks do have a rep for not being very forgiving on their skipping. They're not bad, but my POS Panasonic does better than my Nak in several spots in town. The In-dash multi-changers tend to be worse from what I hear.
Stay away from the CD-300. 300 & 500 are similar, except for one feature. The D/A/C (digital to analog converter) is only a standard, versus the 24-bit in the 500, which means a much better sound, no matter the speakers.

Although you definitely want some good speakers. MB Quarts are what I recommend.

Have a good one.

 

thanks! im still trying to compare all the options that ill need... at least i can knock the cd-300 off my list.