As good as it gets for this price. You'll spend a grand to compare to this build quality. They truely don't make 'em like this anymore.

Dated technology

This unit was only trumped by the 7949, but I always thought it had a better display. All of the 79## series by alpine were passive - meaning no internal amp, no heat, and increases SN ratio. I enjoyed this unit so much back in 1998 I just bought another one used on ebay in 2007. If you want an classic with amazing quality, see if you can pick one up. If you listen to mp3 or burned cd's then skip this for a newer unit - or run a newer cd changer. If you prefer sound quality you only play original discs anyway. I'm going to run this with an ERA-G320 for one sweet sound system.

Similar Products Used:

CDA-7930, 7939, 7940, 7949, 7986S, 9851, CDM-7874

Nice player. Does anyone know how to make the cd changer input work with an iPod? I have tried but it does not recognise it - ie the red indicator does not come on.
Any ideas welcome.

This is just a clarification of Christopher's review of the deck. While the blackout feature is nice for night-time driving, the main purpose of it was to increase sound quality, not reduce glare (that was just a side benefit). With the display turned off, the deck is able to use its processor more effectively and thus increases its sound quality (this is why you will see this on most of Alpine's top quality players).

All-business features 4 volt pre-out clean looks and sound It's an Alpine

Sometimes has hard time playing CD-R's

What can I say about this tuner? It is simply the best I have ever owned. It has all the features you need for truly fabulous sound, and none of the glitzy useless features on other brands such as Pioneer. And as Tony stated in the review above, my tuner does sometimes have a hard time with burned CD's, but this is only due to the tuner's age.

Similar Products Used:

Alpine CDA-7875

No word to describe A+++++!!!

none so far(besides my problem with the reading of ceratin brand of blank disc)

DECK IS GREAT!!! I love the deck, features are excellent.. ONLY THING... I seem to have a hard time playing certain burned cd's., mostly IMATION brand. My question to everyone who has this fantastic work of art is, DO you guys have any problems with reading burnt cd's??? maybe its just old age(my deck that is).

The sound quality is execellent. The display works real nice day and night. Radio works Ok on FM and AM bands.CD quality was averge. My old Alpine 7909 was better.

Built qualiy is fair to poor. The front panel that attachs to the main unit fails causing the radio to go off. you can not read the radio stations etc. This happens intermitently. also it effects all audio Adjustments etc.

This unit replace a older Alpine unit. I like the Three RCA outputs. One for the front channels,Rear Channels and sub Woofers. It sounds real good.Also i like the removable front face panel. This unit is plug througth a Alpine amps system. Speakers are Boston etc.

Similar Products Used:

Alpine CDM 7829,Alpine 7618 and Alpine 7909

The sound quality is execellent. The display works real nice day and night. Radio works Ok on FM and AM bands.CD quality was averge. My old Alpine 7909 was better.

Built qualiy is fair to poor. The front panel that attachs to the main unit fails causing the radio to go off. you can not read the radio stations etc. This happens intermitently. also it effects all audio Adjustments etc.

This unit replace a older Alpine unit. I like the Three RCA outputs. One for the front channels,Rear Channels and sub Woofers. It sounds real good.Also i like the removable front face panel. This unit is plug througth a Alpine amps system. Speakers are Boston etc.

Similar Products Used:

Alpine CDM 7829,Alpine 7618 and Alpine 7909

Three sets of 4V outputs, Sub control, Blackout feature. I like the volume knob it has instead of those up/down buttons. RDS, Sub setting 60, 70, 80, 100hz, remote, CD Changer controls.

Really not a weekness, this unit is passive so amps are required & it doesnt like CD-R''s.

Great HU, with lots of features. More of a competition unit.

Similar Products Used:

Some Eclipse, Clarion & RF models.

Extremely crisp and user-friendly.

None so far.

I just recently purchased this head unit from Tweeter, etc. in Portsmouth, NH, and it is truly a wonderful machine. It was traded for a Pioneer Premier DEH-46, which although decent, wasn't as clear as I'd have liked.

The Alpine fixed all of that.

The "BBE" feature, seemingly like a "loud" mode, is quite good, though like many loud functions, contributes a bit to distortion for some tunes. Better than the vast majority of other brands, however.

The volume knob is nice to have, much easier than my previous rocker buttons.
I do wish that the remote would attach to the steering wheel; this is a nice thing to have. I have not yet been disappointed in the CDA-7940's performance in the few weeks I've had it. I got a fantastic discount on the product, purchased for $229 and no sales tax in NH.

I will soon be getting better speakers for my car, at which point I'll probably be even more pleased. From the level I was at before, however, this is a 100% improvement!

The green-to-amber dual illumination feature is nice, but my favorite is "blackout," which allows you to shut the LED totally off for night time driving and reduced glare distraction. Quite the thoughtful feature. Perhaps this is an old feature, but being a newcomer to Alpine, it's well-appreciated.

Many, many features, including things like subwoofer control--something I had on my Pioneer and wanted in an Alpine.
I find it almost essential.

NOTE: This is a passive head unit, so an external amplifier is required.