Anybody running the Alpine iDA-X100 without external amplification or subs(ie just a swap for the Mitsu CD head unit) in their Evo 8 or 9? Really like the interface on the X100 in my MR2, but was hoping not to have to add amps if the Evo's stock arrangement will suffice for "normal" listening.

 

You should be fine. It at least won't be any worse than stock. It might not be a bad idea to get some better speakers or a small 4 channel amp for the stock speakers.

 

I have the 001 HU, which I believe is practically the same. Just installed it last night. To my disappointment those stock speakers have no bass whatsoever. I originally installed the HU into a Durango with stock speakers. It sounded great and there was no need to upgrade. Unfortunately going with after market components is required so I might as well throw a small sub in.

 

Can anyone confirm that the X100 works perfectly with the acutal Ipod Nano V4 - Alpine sais 1-3 but the V4 was not out yet when the X100 was launched.

 

I'm assuming you already have the Nano. You might be able to take it in to a shop that sells the headunit and see if they'll let you plug it in to see if it works or not, if no one answers here.

 

No don't have either yet - ordered the X100 and I want to buy an Ipod to go with it. The Nano seemed to be the best choice - if it works.
Alpine Switzerland told it should work 99% sure - but they asked the headquaters for confirmation.

 

I have this and currently run amps and new speakers but had it running the stock speakers for a month or so. I wouldn't recommend this head unit for the stock Evo speakers as it killed the bass. I even ripped all my music to lossless format thinking that was the problem and it didn't help. I am actually considering swapping out to another high end alpine head unit with both CD player and ipod interface so I can compare some songs and try and figure out what the problem is.

 

Yodobashi,

So the did the amps bring back at least the stock bass? or still poor?

 

I played around with it last weekend and figured part of the problem out. It appears the Ipod still does processing of the audio so whatever EQ setting you have on your ipod will change how the music plays. To change this setting though, you will have to unplug your iPod, change it, then plug it back in -- there is no way to change it while the iPod is plugged in and there is no way to change it from the Alpine front end.

When I had stock speakers in, I always had the EQ set to Off so I can't speak to how they would sound with a different setting. I will say that in playing with it this weekend though, I was unable to get acceptable sound (especially Bass) with the EQ off and I wish there was a way to have more control over the EQ settings than the presets Apple offers.

 

Really? It was my understanding that the headunit received a direct digital signal from the ipod, bypassing the eq in the Ipod itself. Have you tried the eq settings on the headunit itself?

 

How have you connected it to your X-100?
Wich Ipod?

 

Yea.

 

ipod classic 160gb model -- all songs ripped in lossless format -- connected using the ipod cable that came with the headunit.

 

Is there possibly a setting on your computer/itunes that's changing the way it sounds when you rip music? How is the bass with the radio?

I reread your original post. You have an aftermarket amp running your stock speakers? If so, where's your crossover set to?

 

They are ripped lossless -- no compression and no funky dsp's. Like i said - i can pause a song and disconnect, set the EQ setting on the ipod without changing anything else, and plug it back in and continue playing and notice a drastic difference so obviously the ipod is processing the sound.

Don't listen to the radio so I can't comment on that.

I have aftermarket speakers and amps now. Before I put them in though, I had the headunit running off of the stock speakers. Sub crossover is set to around 80 Hz i believe.

A good test would be to use one of the other Alpine headunits that actually plays CDs or if I had a cd changer to plug in to the AI net. Sadly, none of those are available to me.