Well, im looking at upgrading the stock, base headunit.

i know what i need and it seems Crutchfield has everything i need.

my question is what would be a good under $250 headunit and a good amp?

right now i have a 1500 watt power acoustic amp and 2-12" Planet audio pro comps.

im giving the amp and one of the 12s to my wife.

right now i can get a used Alpine MRP-M500 monoblock amp for $125 shipped and i was looking at the Alpine CDA-9884 or the 9885. I have had good experiance with Pioneer over the years also.

would those be a good choice?

 

I have always used Kenwood... I had a kenwood flip out head unit running the mids and highs, a 600 watt kenwood amp and 2 kenwood tornado 12s in the S10 and that was the best set up i had in that truck the roof would move about 2 inches with it cranked! I did run in one db drag and pulled 146.. not bad for less than 500 bucks. I have also been partial to Alpine though i never had the money to own one I'm sure everyone will have there opinions but thats just my

 

Just my $0.02.

Personally, I like Alpine. For the $$, the performance and quality is very good.
I also like the fact that they really specialize in Car/Marine applications, and they're not out to be a "jack-of-all-trades" company, that hocks everything from TV's, to camcorders. Sony seems to be able to sorta pull that off, but others can't.

My buddy is really partial to Kenwood-he swears by them.

Alpine or Kenwood. Can't go wrong with either...

 

I am not a sound guy at all, All I know is that if I turn it up..I want my ears to bleed! I have a newer Alpine headunit, Alpine type-R components in the front, and Alpine typr-R's in the rear doors. I have a mono Sony X-Pold amp running two Sony X-plod 10's. And a big Sony X-Plod 4-way amp powering the front. I think the reason my bass hits so hard, is because they are in a non-ported box and placed on top of the spare tire with the shelf right above it, with the hatch closed, it is like a box within a box. Todd(Uma)

 

Both those alpine units are very nice pieces. Good bang for the buck. For a reasonable priced amp i would look at either a autotek or mtx. They are fair priced and make good power.