Looking For Mp3 Hu Under $175

I haven't paid much attention to many of the HU's on the market lately, but, I just bought a clarion 545, and returned it, that was a pile of ****, so, under $175, what can I get for a decent MP3 compatible HU? Pre-outs don't matter, this is just for my beater car to listen to tunes in.

 

http://www.ikesound.com/product-product_id/2034

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-CVnvL9Qquxl/c...X7705&s=0&cc=01

What about this (both links are of the same deck). I know Sony's been ragged on for years, even I have done it, but, they're quality on they're decks has gotten better, hasn't it? I'm not looking for super high end or anything, or else I'd buy a clarion 9255. But, Is Sony back in the game, I maen, it plays MP3's, it's an awesome looking HU, I think it's a winner. I might go play with one today or tomarrow, though, see how I actualy like it in person, but, it's much sleeker looking than anythign on the market, and doesn't SCREAM Xplode.

 

I have nothin against JVC, but, I don't like them very much,a dn I need something thats aesthetically pleasing to the eyes, and the last JVC decks that were nice lookin were the silver Digifine decks. Have you used this sony yet, mike?

 

Normally, I would look into Kenwood, Pioneer, Eclipse, Clarion, or Panasonic, but, I don't liek ANYTHING that any of them have on the market anymore, especially in my price range. Why has ugly looks become such a great thing? I simply can't have something thats ugly. Unfortunately, it at least needs to be decent looking. Looks aren't everything, but, I know I'm not gonna be happy with it at all, if I can't stand to look at it, or it's hard to use, especally the new pioneers, my god, can they make the buttons any smaller? And the kenwoods are all just ghey looking. Clarions, well, have pretty much gone to shit, except for the top of the line models. There really isn't anything out there worth a shit anymore, man. If I had the money, shit, I'd just buy a Clarion 9255, the new one thast down to like $800, and just buy a damned MP3 changer.

 

I love the panasonics, I want the 8400 sooooo bad, but, can't afford it.

 

ya, but, mike, i have budgets, and who would I be, but the us government, fi I ignored my budget?

 

If you read above, I don't want another clarion, it seemed too cheaply built, and I just didn't like it.

 

How do you like the sony? I am looking at the 7705.

 

See, I like pioneer's, but, the faceplates get cheaper and cheaper every year, teh buttons get smaller and smaller, etc. I can't stand to use tehm without a remote, shit, i try to press a button, I almost always end up pressing 2 on accident. Alpine, well, we won't go there, except I'll slit my own throat before I buy one of those things. JVC, I dunno, I'm not worried about they're quality, but, I can't stand to look at them anymore, they aren't near as 'simple' as they used to be, they're all 'blingin it up'. Panasonic, well, I might end up going with that bottom-end panasonic MP3 player, if everybody hates the sony that much, that sony just looks soooo clean, soo sexy, have you looked at it? And, thats about mid-line, top of that design, at least, better than $350 retail. I dunno, we'll see.

 

You know, mike, those 2 JVC's, I've never seen either of them in any of the catalogue's I've been looking at. They are 'simple' like the older JVC's, too. The Blaupunkt makes me wonder, I don't know anybody thats ever had one, how are they, are they actually a dcetn quality unit? I'd say the better of the 2 JVC's, the blaupunkt, and the panasonic, are my 3 choices, which would you recommend, any particular one? Again, thanks, mike, I appreciate it.

 

OK, here's another one for ya then - With JVC, whats the difference between teh AR400, and the G400? They both look exactly the same.