Alpine CDA-D852

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.67 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $280.00 from eBay!

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 Alpine CDA-D852

Summary:
In my '98 Z28, with it's 1.5-din opening, I was only going to go with a 1.5-din receiver. Compared to other 1.5-din units, just based on looks alone, this is the only choice I was going to go with; I highly recommend it to those who don't want something cheap-looking in their dash. Works with my Alpine 6-disc MP3 changer with no hitches what-so-ever! No regrets!

Strengths:
It has a lot of punch. Also, 1.5-din fits my dash perfectly; doesn't stick out like a sore thumb, like most other 1-din receivers. Compared to other 1.5-din receivers, this one looks gorgeous, especially at night! Works with my MB Quart component speakers absolutely rock-on!

Weaknesses:
Only weakness...no sub outs. But with my set up, this doesn't even matter.

Similar Products Used:
Sony head unit

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $1.00 from friend

Year / Model Reviewed:
2000 s10 lowrider (cda-d852)

Summary:
great

Price Paid:  $360.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
 98 grand prix

Summary:
I've been using this head unit for the past year and a half. At first i started with just the CDA-D852 head unit and factory speakers. i then purchased type r alpine 6x9's and a 707 alpine amp with 2 type s alpine 10's. good sound quality hasn't skipped.......system pounds pretty good for 10's

Strengths:
color changing buttons. can name cd's up to 8 characters

Weaknesses:
limited features compared to some other head units i've seen. doesn't play cd-rw or mp3's

Similar Products Used:
stock grand prix head unit.....sucks..go with the CDA-D852...

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Installed one into a Chrysler Sebring Convertable to replace the inadequate factory radio. At first I had a Pioneer Chrysler fit radio put in but it was boring to look at for the money I had to pay for it. So, I paid an extra $100 for the Alpine. It was worth the extra money! It looks incredible with the eq display. The amp is much stonger than the Pioneer. The remote is much nicer as well. I could tell there was too much power for my factory paper cone speakers so I installed the 4 new Kenwood 3way 6 x 9''s. The result: Perfection. I drove from Fort Myers to Key West ( 6 Hours ) a very happy man! Even with the top down, the Alpine stereo and Kenwood speakers sound like I''m in the club!

Strengths:
Looks great!(beautiful EQ display)-Be careful not to go off the road watching it!, Sounds great, Easy to use controls, Nice Packaging (comes in a beautiful navy box complete with a leather holder for the removable face), nice remote, strong Amp, CD player reads my scratchy cd''s very nicely

Weaknesses:
A little more expensive than the competition but worth it. Also it would be nice to have more control of the midrange and the subwoofer levels.

Similar Products Used:
Pioneer Chrysler fit radio.

Price Paid:  $400.00

Summary:
This is one of two Alpine indash CD players that are designed to fit the larger GM and Chrysler dash openings. It looks great in my car. You can switch the buttons so they light up in green or amber to match your dash lights. When you put in a CD or select CD as your source, the unit lowers the power antenna - a very nice touch.
Sound quality is great, clear and punchy, but I'm still using my factory speakers. I'm sure the Alpine would sound even better with aftermarket speakers. Hasn't skipped on me at all, and it plays CD-Rs with no problems (haven't tried CDRWs). It has two sets of Pre-outs for addig amps. Radio reception seems pretty good, and you can label the station presets. Many other features I haven't really experimented with yet.
Biggest problem I had with the Delco was skipping and CDs getting stuck. It had to go because I listen to CDs quite a bit.
The Nakamichi was my 2nd choice, but it was more money, and wouldn't look as good in the car.
At $400 for the Alpine, it may seem a little pricey, but I believe it was money well spent. Check it out if you own a GM or Chrysler car with the 1-1/2 DIN dash opening.

Strengths:
Sound and build quality, looks great in the car, many features

Weaknesses:
Manual could be a little better.

Similar Products Used:
Factory Delco CD w/EQ, Nakamichi, other Alpine models in store.