Head units for cars have been CD players first, and everything else second. Alpine are changing that by getting rid of the CD player altogether, and building the whole head-unit around iPod integration!
First there were radios. Then there were 8-tracks. Then cassette tapes, CDs, mini discs, DVD players, MP3-CD players, memory sticks, and somewhere along the lines most manufacturers added the possibility for external CD and MD changers, and ways of connecting MP3 players, such as iPods, to your car.
Alpine were among the first car audio manufacturers to add functional iPod adapters to their head units, and have stayed at the forefront of this technology. They've decided to embrace it further with the newest iDA X001, however, which does away with the CD player: You get a radio and the highest-tech iPod connectivity to date, all on a tasty-looking head unit.
When you connect your iPod, the head unit scans through your 'pod and indexes it. You get full-speed connectivity, it plays all the music files your iPod plays (MP3, WMA, AAC, M4A) and has a 24-bit digital to analog converter to keep the quality as high as possible.
It's a pretty high-spec head-unit on the audio-side as well: 50x 4w built-in power amp and 3 pre-outs for building serious ICE systems means you're well covered for the future. Optional extras include a steering wheel remote control, OEM steering wheel remote control connectivity, vehicle display interface, and it's Bluetooth-ready for mobile telephone integration. Finally, you can download your own wall-papers for personalising your in-car audio experience!
If you feel it's too early to get rid of your CDs from your car, you have the option of connecting a CD changer to the head unit, but this is 2007, folks, who wants CDs anymore?
The head unit is priced at £300 a bargain for what you're getting, and it easily stands up to be the centre-piece of a massive car audio build. The dream of iPod-o-philes everywhere is finally reality!