Just had my audio system installed. Interestingly enough the audio shop owner offered to let me try both the Alpine 7977 and Alpine 7878.

Both head units running off the same amp and speaker set up:

1 - JL Audio 300/4 (75 watts/channel) pushing CDT Audio components (1" silk dome tweeter + 6.5" mid woofer) and CDT audio 4" mid drivers (behind the seats);

also 1 - JL Audio 250/1 pushing 2 JL Audio 8" subs in custom fiberglass box in trunk well (very stealth).

Installed Alpine 7977 first; very clean sounding unit, aesthetically attractive with the bright blue LED's (also amber and white) with silver accents. This is a pre-amp unit only.

Pulled it out and installed the Alpine 7878. The MP3 capability seemed attractive to me. The face was much more colorful (amber, green, blue, purple-blue, white) and I found it busy looking. The unit did not sound as clean as the 7977. This is an amped unit with pre-amp outs (we did not use the internal amp). The sound difference was noticed by the installer and the other techs that were admiring my car. Could be that it was just that individual head unit.

Controls were adjusted as equivalent as possible between the 2 units.

I went with the 7977 and with the amp + speaker package it sounds incredible.

 

I've been considering the 7878. Do you know if either of them has the 3.5mm round plug in the back for the Alpine Europe's S2000 dash control adpater (KCE-865B)?

 

dshea,

Unable to help you with that information. Although I'm sure someone will raed this post and be able to answer that question for you.

I am enjoying using the Alpine remote and am surprised at how intuitive it is to use.

John

 

OK, thanks. I found this thread related the 7878 and the dash control adapter. But looks like the thread has been dead since October 7, 2001. Oh well, looks like I'll have to do some research my self at my local shops.

 

dshea,

The US CDA-7878 does not have the remote control jack like its European counterpart...

 

Ouch. I really liked the 7878! Looks like I'll have to look for an alternative head unit.

 

You will find that most head units with pre-amp onlys will sound better that ones with an amplifier built in.
To get a good sounding amp in that small of a chassis is almost impossible (even though you did not use it). The pre-amp stages in the pre out only units are usually better, most likely why they sounded different.

When I get my hands on my S (see sig. ) a pre-amp only unit will be going into mine. So, I would have to agree with your choice.

 

Matrix,

Actually I was surprised by the difference; although the techs did not seem to surprised.

John

 

Ya same principal as high end home audio equipment...you never find an amplifier and pre amplifier in a chassis, always a pre amp and an amp.

Do you have any pics of your subs, I am planning mine and I like the idea of having 2 subs in the well and hidden.

 

Matrix,

Give me a day or two and I will post pics of my Alpine 7977, double JL Audio AMP set-up and SUBS.

John