Since its introduction, Alpine CDA9807 CD Player
Rounding out the top of our list of affordable CD/MP3/WMA receivers is Alpine's CDA9807. This feature-packed
receiver ($299.99 MSRP) offers some significant MP3/WMA navigation and display enhancements, excellent sound
-shaping features, and added system expansion capability. If you plan on listening predominantly to compressed digital
music in your car and demand powerful, vibrant sound at a reasonable price, this might be the receiver for you.
You can set the Alpine CDA9807 to play discs containing regular CD-DA songs as well as MP3/WMA files.
The sleek, silver faceplate sports bright blue buttons that are intelligently spaced around a blue and white LED display.
A large blue DISP/TITLE button accesses 9 different scrolling readouts for MP3/WMA files: "file/elapsed time,"
"folder number/file number," "clock," "folder name," "file name," "track," "artist," "album," "sampling rate/bit rate."
Curiously, there is no "comments" field.
The Alpine CDA9807 cd receiver displays "NO SUPRT" when it cannot read ID3 tag information.
The Alpine really shines in its handling of MP3/WMA navigation. An ingenious Quick Search button located to the
right of the rotary volume knob allows you to search through folders and files to preview tracks without changing the
song that's playing. The folder and file names appear on the display though they do not scroll in search mode, which
can be frustrating. Once you find the specific song you're looking for, a click of the rotary knob cues up the track almost
instantly. This is an easy, quick, and convenient way to comb through hundreds of songs on an MP3/WMA disc. Additional
functions like repeat (track, folder, disc), M.I.X. random play (folder, disc), and scan are accessed through the radio preset keys.
Unfortunately, you cannot use the Quick Search or additional MP3/WMA functions with the wireless remote.
Alpine's MediaXpander function helps make MP3 and WMA files sound fuller and richer.
Alpine CDA9807 cd receiver
The Alpine CDA9807 boasts impressive sound-shaping controls. Alpine's exclusive MediaXpander function restores audio
information lost in the recording and compression processes. Each internal source (CD, FM, MP3/WMA, XM) has three
expansion modes. I chose MX-3 for my MP3s and the difference was huge. The music became more spacious and textured,
and the soundstage seemed tighter and more focused definitely a nice benefit for digital music lovers. Alpine's Bass Engine
lets you adjust the bass and treble center frequencies, choose the width of the bass boost, and adjust the level of the subwoofer.
These features alone make the Alpine CDA9807 an appealing MP3/WMA option, but there's a lot more to this head unit. In
addition to built-in XM Satellite Radio controls and CD changer controls, you get 3 sets of 4-volt preamp outputs for connecting
multiple amplifiers. The MOSFET amplifier pumps out 23 watts RMS x 4 of robust power. And the MobileHub Link means you
can connect an optional junction box that allows you to control incoming and outgoing calls on your Nokia cell phone (6310i tri-band GSM).
You can even search your phone's address book using the Alpine CDA9807's Quick Search functions.
The upshot
With the Alpine CDA9807, you pay for what you get. Yes, it's the most expensive of the three MP3/WMA head units reviewed in
this article, but you gain real benefits. The Quick Search function and MediaXpander feature will enhance your digital music enjoyment.
System expansion capabilities are built-in, so you won't have to worry about needing to replace your head unit as your system grows.
I would prefer a fold-down face to allow for a larger display and cleaner appearance. I would also prefer that you could use the remote
to take advantage of the Quick Search functionality. But neither of these concerns prevents me from recommending the Alpine CDA9807.
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