[MOSFET]

Geez, what the hell happened to this group? I got a new job about four
months ago and have been very busy and have not had the time to surf the net
like I used to. But what the hell happened to this venerable institution?
Since 1995, RAC has always been one of my favorite groups to visit. It's
kind of sad to see it has been invaded and, more or less, destroyed.

Anyway, if any of the old timers happen to read this I hope all is well with
you.

I suppose with the quality of stock stereos improving on new cars AND the
fact that newer stock car stereos are often very integrated electronically
and physically (with the dash), it's not surprising to see that the
after-market world just isn't what it used to be, which gives us less to
talk about.

Anyway, as far as what's new with my system, there's quite a bit (I HAVE NOT
LOST THE BUG!!!!). As promised, I finally upgraded to a Class D amp to
drive my pair of 12" MTX MXS's (same as 7500 series, just silver instead of
black). I bought a new Alpine MRP-M850. Connected in parallel, each sub
gets 400 watts which seems to be just PERFECT (more than the previous amp
that was driving them, a Soundstream Ref. 700 that I sold). Everything they
say about Classs D is true. The increase in bass output is VERY noticeable
yet the amp stays cool and my voltage doesn't drop like a stone when I
really punch it.

Also, I replaced my head unit. The white touch strip on my Alpine 9853
started acting really screwy, like it had a mind of it's own. I took the
unit apart and cleaned the inside thoroughly (as I have often done in the
past with my Alpine's) but the problem persisted. It was like someone was
ALWAYS touching the strip and made operating the thing almost impossible,
and certainly annoying as hell. I suppose there's a lesson there. Never be
the first person to try a new technology. I noticed none of Alpine's
current line-up include the touch-strip. So although I COULD have ordered a
new faceplate, I decided I didn't want to just have the problem again in six
months so I bought a new '07 model Alpine, the Alpine 9885 which I have been
VERY happy with. Although I do not have Bass Engine Pro, I DO have bass and
treble controls again (yeh!) and it does have high and low pass x-overs (all
my amps have x-overs as well). Also, I use a 7 band Clarion EQ so I really
don't miss the features Bass Engine Pro possessed.

I have a Sansa 8 gig MP3 player and my next purchase will be the Alpine
KCA-620M which is a USB adaptor. It will tie my Sansa into my Alpine so
that the Sansa controls can be operated from the Alpine, it will also power
the Sansa because it is a USB2 input (and that's how the rechargeable
battery gets it's power), and the song titles will display on the Alpine's
bio-lite display. I'm looking forward to this because I ALREADY have my
Sansa tied into my Alpine the traditional way (with an 1/8" stereo plug from
the headphone jack to RCA right and left that goes into my Alpine via an
adaptor), and I find I use that (the Sansa MP3 player) more than ANY other
source (like burning discs or the radio). Alpine promises that this will
interface with ANY non-iPod MP3 player (for an iPod, there are other
adaptors you must buy).

Anyway, I love the new Alpine, and glad to be rid of that damn touch strip.
BTW, on this unit you can change the famous Alpine "crystals" to red, a
color I have never seen before (green isn't even an option on this unit, so
much for remembering the past).

Anyway, besides those changes, everything else is the same (all the speakers
for instance) and working perfectly. For a non-updated (it still shows my
Soundstream driving my subs for instance) look at my system at:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2359697

Anyway, it would be nice to hear from some of the old timers and if they are
still into car audio!!!!

Take care,

MOSFET aka Nick Tanner