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The Ultimate Unit for CD Playback In The Car
Pros
Construction, sound quality and looks.
Cons
Volume control may need cleaning, install manual misleading regarding video expansion.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
I strongly recommend this unit if it plays the media you intend to use. Newer head units are more versatile in that respect.
Introduction
I purchased this head unit for car audio competition as well as daily use. My main reasons for choosing this unit was its clean cosmetic design, excellent sound quality and a well designed analog output stage. I did not use the changer connections. I primarily listened to CD's with this unit. This unit is clearly the best head unit I have own in terms of build & sound quality. It would still be in my dash if I didn't have a need (desire) for DVD playback for the passenger.
Installation
Installing this unit was routine, except for mounting the external DC-DC converter. It needs to be secured somewhere in or below the dash. Be mindful to keep it away from electrically noisy sources such as heater fans. Other than that, no issues at all should be expected if you've installed a head unit before. My installation involved an Accord Coupe.
Operation
Using this unit is extremely easy. You should not need the manual at all. All controls are very intuitive and are easy to operate while driving. Presets, function changes, bass and treble are all available without elaborate menus-they have their own dedicated buttons or knobs.
Features
The list is short compared to newer head units:
-CD,CDR playback w/ repeat & random play
-18 FM presets, 6 AM
-controls (six) C-bus changers with fiber optic signal input connect
-4 RCA outputs (no internal amplifier)
-Two 20 bit Burr Brown DACs (cannot remember the model numbers)
-Play/pause button
-Blue Vacuum Florescent display
-Rotary volume/power control
You do not have a remote with this unit. Despite what the installation manual says it does NOT control the C-bus TV tuner. I tried it (bought one actually) and had to Ebay it [the tuner] after discovery. Clarion customer service confirmed my findings. It does not play MP3's or SACD's.
Aesthetics
This is a purely subjective section, but my tastes tend to lean toward more minimal designs in terms of the dash displays. I like just the vital information to be displayed; no 7 band EQ or waterfalls and such. This is most attractive unit that I own. The lines are clean, it looked great in my dash (a 2000) never screamed for attention when others got in the car. The blue display is a very classy touch as well.
Sound Quality
Simply clean. The music did not sound pushed or overemphasized. There are no EQ and DSP settings available on this unit, just bass and treble. I never felt I needed to adjust any of those to achieve decent sound in my system. Signal output is very high and reaches even higher levels when the bass or treble levels are increased. This became my new reference unit once installed (it was a Sony C series from years back).
Long Term Thoughts
I've owned the head unit for years and wanted to include this section to note any items worthy of mentioning that I've experienced. Firstly, the unit never failed, locked up or gave me mysterious errors. It worked every time I jump in the car-even during sub zero days in New England. From a reliability point, this unit is rock solid. No broken parts or accessories, no loud relay clicks from power up/down, no dead bars in the display or stuck discs. The negative thing I experienced is that the analog volume control gets a little dirty over time (a few years). You'd noticed this by small sounds of static when you adjust the volume, required quick turns left and right to clear up and containments in the component itself. While I was installing another component, I pulled the unit out and sprayed some cleaner in the volume control and had no more problems.
This unit has since been removed from my car and replaced with an Alpine DVA-7996 because of a need for DVD playback. This was my best effort to retain the quality I had with the 9255, but have more multimedia features. I will reinstall the Clarion in another car, but for now it is boxed.
Conclusion
This unit is an excellent unit and was worth every penny. It's easy to use, simple, slick looking and sounds heavenly. A must buy if you find it on the used market or want to buy it's newest replacement, the DRZ-9255.
I purchased this head unit for car audio competition as well as daily use. My main reasons for choosing this unit was its clean cosmetic design, excellent sound quality and a well designed analog output stage. I did not use the changer connections. I primarily listened to CD's with this unit. This unit is clearly the best head unit I have own in terms of build & sound quality. It would still be in my dash if I didn't have a need (desire) for DVD playback for the passenger.
Installation
Installing this unit was routine, except for mounting the external DC-DC converter. It needs to be secured somewhere in or below the dash. Be mindful to keep it away from electrically noisy sources such as heater fans. Other than that, no issues at all should be expected if you've installed a head unit before. My installation involved an Accord Coupe.
Operation
Using this unit is extremely easy. You should not need the manual at all. All controls are very intuitive and are easy to operate while driving. Presets, function changes, bass and treble are all available without elaborate menus-they have their own dedicated buttons or knobs.
Features
The list is short compared to newer head units:
-CD,CDR playback w/ repeat & random play
-18 FM presets, 6 AM
-controls (six) C-bus changers with fiber optic signal input connect
-4 RCA outputs (no internal amplifier)
-Two 20 bit Burr Brown DACs (cannot remember the model numbers)
-Play/pause button
-Blue Vacuum Florescent display
-Rotary volume/power control
You do not have a remote with this unit. Despite what the installation manual says it does NOT control the C-bus TV tuner. I tried it (bought one actually) and had to Ebay it [the tuner] after discovery. Clarion customer service confirmed my findings. It does not play MP3's or SACD's.
Aesthetics
This is a purely subjective section, but my tastes tend to lean toward more minimal designs in terms of the dash displays. I like just the vital information to be displayed; no 7 band EQ or waterfalls and such. This is most attractive unit that I own. The lines are clean, it looked great in my dash (a 2000) never screamed for attention when others got in the car. The blue display is a very classy touch as well.
Sound Quality
Simply clean. The music did not sound pushed or overemphasized. There are no EQ and DSP settings available on this unit, just bass and treble. I never felt I needed to adjust any of those to achieve decent sound in my system. Signal output is very high and reaches even higher levels when the bass or treble levels are increased. This became my new reference unit once installed (it was a Sony C series from years back).
Long Term Thoughts
I've owned the head unit for years and wanted to include this section to note any items worthy of mentioning that I've experienced. Firstly, the unit never failed, locked up or gave me mysterious errors. It worked every time I jump in the car-even during sub zero days in New England. From a reliability point, this unit is rock solid. No broken parts or accessories, no loud relay clicks from power up/down, no dead bars in the display or stuck discs. The negative thing I experienced is that the analog volume control gets a little dirty over time (a few years). You'd noticed this by small sounds of static when you adjust the volume, required quick turns left and right to clear up and containments in the component itself. While I was installing another component, I pulled the unit out and sprayed some cleaner in the volume control and had no more problems.
This unit has since been removed from my car and replaced with an Alpine DVA-7996 because of a need for DVD playback. This was my best effort to retain the quality I had with the 9255, but have more multimedia features. I will reinstall the Clarion in another car, but for now it is boxed.
Conclusion
This unit is an excellent unit and was worth every penny. It's easy to use, simple, slick looking and sounds heavenly. A must buy if you find it on the used market or want to buy it's newest replacement, the DRZ-9255.
