Alpine Electronics, gone boating
Given yesterday’s Fusion stereo discussion, how about another new iPod-friendly marine system, from Alpine. This time we’ve got a lot of online detail on units like this iDA-X100M. But I’ll note that it is HD Radio “ready” though honestly I’m not really up on what means yet (and I’m out in LD boonies).
I’ll also point out the unit’s iPod audio interface, claimed to use “super fast” USB “along with the 24-Bit Burr Brown D/A converter, allowing for an incredible Signal to Noise ratio of 105dB.” Again I don’t know what the heck that means but Alpine’s Gary Bell hinted that Apple lets Alpine deep into the iPod for audio quality better than any competitor’s (and way better than using the headphone jack). I had a little trouble paying attention as I was like the guy below, transfixed by the show boat Bell and his team built and brought to Miami. Yeah, there are six 10” woofers in that cockpit, and twenty 7” 2–way speakers spread around 25’ of speed boat.
If I were shopping stereos, I’d like to know more comparative info on the Fusion’s iPod audio and user interfaces, but I’m still keen on its unique garage and straight forward buttons and zone system. Then again, note that the Alpine marine head units are also “Bluetooth Ready” for hands-free calls, including phone book transfer (with an update of this). I’m not sure that this would work well on a boat but I’m on the lookout for cell dock options that would give a handset a safe home aboard while also hooked to amp/antenna, cordless phone and PC.
One word ... Wow !