Alpine CDA 7876 CD Receiver

Price Paid:  $380.00 from ebay

Year / Model Reviewed:
 cda-7876

Strengths:
Display and controls Build quality sound quality remote is nice to use

Weaknesses:
onboard xover if you have nice components can get warm with hours of use lacks a few highend tech features, DCDC etc. BBE if you have it on I like it, but feel i paid too much at 380

Summary:
I think it is one of the nicest head units to look at. Dual allumination is a nice touch, if you get tired of one color after a bit, or you want to impress the simple minded. Basic Controls are also very nice, but some functions are some what burried in menus like somebody mentioned. Build quality seems very good, everything feels solid and works good. Has not skipped yet, even going down a few dirt roads. BBE In short is a bad thing. I have a 3way system and it makes the 8" midbass drivers sound very muddy, adds some noise/distortion at high volumes. With BBE off it definitely cleams up nicely. This was a kinda burried option, a friend of mine had to show me how. With out really being able to listen to decks back to back id say its has very good sound quality, but maybe not the best. I wish i would of gone with the 77 that is not powered and has DCDC. Whoever said their kenwood sounded better must of had the BBE up too high. I have had a few excelon decks and have found the alpine to be much superior in sound quality and build quality. Kind of tricky to find now, but if you have a chance to pick up one from somebody it is a superb unit. Onboard amp is suppose to be very nice, but i have only used the preouts. Reads CDRs very nicely. Ive found that the onboard xover is not as clean/clear or loud as a good external xover. Lacks RDS.. but i didnt notice unil somebody pointed it out Think that covers it..

Similar Products Used:
other alpine units excelon decks eclipse decks

Price Paid:  $299.00 from Local Shop

Year / Model Reviewed:
 Alpine 7876

Strengths:
Nice display (I like the options of switching from green or red display). Different Viewing angles, Big voltage pre-outs, Handy remote, (full size not the sh*tty credit card sized ones that get lost) The first option you get when you press the volume button is the Sub Level. Which is nice if your competing or quickly need to adjust the sub woofer output. If the CD has text info built into it, the Alpine deck displays the CD title and track name (compared to some CD players where you have to write it in yourself)

Weaknesses:
Navigating through the options could be a bit better user friendly. Even though the display is nice, could be a bit better laid out. (ie: the time should always be displayed instead of having to navigate through the display options to see it)

Summary:
I purchased this deck to replace my old Pioneer Premier DEH-300, which was a fine deck, but the sub pre-out stopped working, which I really needed. So I shopped around and found the Alpine 7876 at a decent price. As soon as I hooked it up, I was pretty impressed by the power, sound quality and the 4V sub pre-out. I have listened to alot of CD players, and this one is one of the best hands down.

Similar Products Used:
Higher end Pioneer and Rockford

Price Paid:  $0.00 from Good Guys

Year / Model Reviewed:
 2001

Strengths:
Excellent Low and high pass filters

Weaknesses:
No Mid control (not a problem if you''re running an EQ to comphensate for all the missing frequency adjustments). DSP would of been nice on this model, or at least a cheapy "surround" mode to deepen the sound.

Summary:
Excellent true Audiophile sound. Crossover system (High pass @ either 60Hz, 120Hz, 160Hz) is super-cleanly filtered. Same goes for Low pass crossover (60Hz, 120Hz, 160Hz). Love Sub-control (from 1-15db) with phase control (180 degrees or normal) and built in parameteric Bass EQ (variable from 60,70,80,90,100,130,180), which cleanly soothes out the mids if they are too harsh (no mid control, but bass control will fix it -trust me). The Treble parameteric EQ is variable from 10Khz,12.5,15.0,17.0Khz and is super accurate at soothing out the highs. 3-step BBE processing is ultra sharp, but a bit too bright if you have Treble already set at +7 (be careful of ear-damage). Over all, this Alpine has been reliable. No other brand comes close as far as sound and quality goes. Why does Ferrari, Dodge Vipers, Lambroghini, and highly exotic cars have Alpine in their dash? Eclipse is my only other choice, but it''s too expensive and does NOT offer detachable face-plates. Do you think I''m an audiophile now? No, course not, but I''m a sound-freak who demands quality sound while I''m road-tripping.

Similar Products Used:
Pioneer, Sony ES, Kenwood''s flagship Excelon CD-player with bad-ass graphics, (one day in my car, out the next day in a box back to Good Guys).

Price Paid:  $400.00 from Your Electronic Ware

Year / Model Reviewed:
 CDA 7876

Strengths:
Built in Amp Bass Engine + Dual Illumination 4v Sub PreOut

Weaknesses:
None that i can think of

Summary:
I dont know what the 1st guy who wrote a review on this was thinking but ive had mine since June and Its about the nicest *built in power* head unit ive ever seen. Ive just about heard every deck know to man and Alpines just keep on getting better. The sound is clean and clear, without distortion with my Boston Rally Coaxials 5 1/4''s up front and 6 1/2''s in the rear. I have 2 JL 12w6''s providing my lows and my system sound fantastic, The deck NEVER skips Reads about any scratched up CD you throw at it and it just chuggs away. I would recommend it to anyone.

Similar Products Used:
Alpine CDA 7863, 7843,

Price Paid:  $369.00 from online

Year / Model Reviewed:
 cda-7876

Strengths:
Many Features. Bass boost accuracy is OK.

Weaknesses:
Sound Quality. Imaging. Highs.

Summary:
Well lets just say this unit shines in every department except one, sound quality. The channel separation/imaging is terrible. Do not attempt to adjust the treble or your ears will be hurting! I am selling mine tomorrow for $250 and buying a Nakamichi CD-45z. If you are truly into sound quality, try something else. My last Kenwood blew this piece of #$% away! If you like inaccuracy with lots of bass and lots of treble then this unit is for you.

Similar Products Used:
Kenwood (Would have bought the high end Excelon, but it didn''t match my dash. I don''t know who at Kenwood opted for red over amber. Too bad cause I would have bought it. The sound is excellent.