Sony CDX-C780

Price Paid:  $100.00 from fleaBay

Year / Model Reviewed:
1987 BMW 325iS

Summary:
This is definitely a step in the right direction for a GREAT sound system. I'm 23 now, but when I was 15-18, I had listened to all sorts of headunits from tape to CD to MD to 8-tracks, and unless it was a prize winner at a DB Drag, this unit performs. This being my first CD headunit, (upgrading to a CDX-C90 as soon as I can find a cheap one,) I am thoroughly impressed. This looks titties in my car's dash like it was made to be there. The switchable illumination helps with my Amber backlighting, and the optional RM-X4S stalk remote puts almost all functions at my resting arm so I can keep my eyes on the road, (thanks to every button being shaped differently, ) it even adds an attenuate feature not found on the headunit's controls itself for those times you have to mute the sound for that pesky officer. Next I'd like to say it never skips. The only times I was pissed off at it it when I get ERROR's when it's real cold sometimes in the morning, but I've learned to be patient and just not adjust anything on it when the car's interior is cold. I love the absense of "dancing lights and fireworks, " that are found on the "ugly-as-can be" Xplod headunits that you can actually buy models of at Wal-Mart. The fact that is ES from the Elevated Standard realm of Sony that has been fairly impressive to my home theatre makes me like it even more. Again, the only thing I will be replacing it with now is either a CDX-C90 or 910. The speakers in my car are stock, but ask anyone with an E30 BMW with the premium sound package what he thinks about them. Rubber surrounds and some plastic material for the cone are an indication the 15w power capacity is a pointless attempt to keep the sound down in nice neighborhoods. The controls are well placed, and not cluttered at all. The fact that is controls a CD/MD changer, TV Tuner, and DSP, was a great initial selling point for me. The installation is a snap, and it's stupid easy to remove for extended parking periods, or if you want one for yourself, but don't want to pay anything for it. Anyway, it's a great unit for a cheap price considering it's $500+ original inflated price. It really performs, but if you can find a CDX-C880 or better, buy that. I'm not an Audiophile, but I know what's good and bad, and this is FAR from anything bad. Other items I have, but still need to install as it's winter and I'm cold: -Sony MD changer, (haven't gotten it yet) -Sony ES UDP-X50D DSP -Sony XM-754HX 300w 4/3/2 amplifier (for the mids) -Soundstream D60 120w 2ch. x2 (for both sets of tweeters) -Esoteric Audio MUSICA 500 Patch RCA's -MonsterCable XP Speakerwire Things to buy/upgrade for the future: -Sony ES CDX-C90 or 910 CD headunit -Sony ES XDP-210? Equalizer -McIntosh MC 420 300w 4/3/2 amp -MB Quart QSD 213 components -Better quality wiring

Strengths:
Power, controls, functions, compatability, optional equipment, asthetics(looks).

Weaknesses:
-ERROR Messages occasionally when cold -No attenuate on headunit, save for the optional RM-X4S remote -Unable to tune into specific FM or AM stations, but the ones I got were stronger and there were more of them than my previous Blaupunkt -Too easy to remove from car -Face Scratches as easily as a pair of Oakleys

Similar Products Used:
Eclipse, Clarion, Mcintosh, Kenwood, Pioneer incl. Prestige, Blue Dot (Blaupunkt), others, but I can't remember them all at my old age.

Price Paid:  $250.00 from http://www.carmedia1

Year / Model Reviewed:
1999 Sony CDX-C780

Summary:
This is a very nice unit. The controls are very easy to use, and it has a nice rotary volume knob. The 4volt outputs are strong and the cd playback is average.

Strengths:
Ease of use, controls changer/tv/dsp

Weaknesses:
display bad in sunlight, and reads almost NO CD-R's

Similar Products Used:
Clarion/Eclipse/Panasonic

Price Paid:  $350.00 from Ultimate Car Toys, D

Year / Model Reviewed:
 1999

Summary:
CD player stopped working, and this had no mis-use whatsoever, taken care of and maintained. Beware

Strengths:
lots of attributes, great for sub woofer control

Price Paid:  $40.00 from From Friend's Car

Year / Model Reviewed:
 Acura/Legend

Summary:
GREAT OUTPUT & SOUND & CONTROLS. EVERYTHING WORKS GREAT & DOESNT SKIP AT ALL ON CD-R'S OR ORIGINAL CD'S & GREAT DISPLAY & JUST PERFECTO FOR ME. I DON'T ABOUT OTHERS BUT MINES WORKS FINE WITH MY SUBS & SPEAKERS.

Strengths:
GREAT EVERYTHING!

Weaknesses:
NOT AT ALL.

Price Paid:  $400.00 from Crutchfield

Year / Model Reviewed:
 cdx-c780

Summary:
I think it is a great deck even though I have had only one other deck. I told my self I would never buy sony because of the problems my friends were having (skiping, button not working, ext) but car stereo review talked it up so much that my choice was between that and a kenwood of the same price. Needless to say I went with the sony and have never looked back sence. This will be the third car it will be gonig in and just today (4/18/02) I was getting ready to install it and it fell off my bench! I powerd it up and no problems yet! If you are lookin for a used deck I highy recomend the cdx-c780

Strengths:
will not skip, plays some burnt disk, playes scrached disk with no problem, easy to use,

Weaknesses:
hard to read in direct sun light

Similar Products Used:
Kenwood Pioneer Jvc none can hold a candel for proformance at the price I payed for it