Alpine CDA-9856

CD player with MP3/WMA playback

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Item# 500CDA9856

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Alpine CDE-133BT
$159.99

Overview
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Accessories

Our take on the Alpine CDA-9856

by Tim Sprinkle

Upgrade your mobile audio experience with the CDA-9856 CD player from Alpine. It'll play back all your CDs, including your MP3- and WMA-loaded discs. Hook up your iPod to the built-in Full Speed connection using Alpine's interface cable, and you'll be able to access and control your music collection with the CDA-9856's controls.

Bass Engine sound shaping gives you total control over the stereo's audio performance, and even lets you manage your subwoofer system from the driver's seat. The built-in BBE processor ensures lifelike sound from all your recordings. The CDA-9856 delivers in the style department too, with striking Alpine design, a detachable black flip-down faceplate, and blue button illumination.

If radio's your thing, you'll appreciate the sensitive AM/FM tuner, along with handy controls for an optional HD Radio or satellite radio tuner. Connect an Alpine CD changer to expand your entertainment options, or use the three sets of preamp outputs to hook up your amps and subs.

Highlights:

CD player with built-in amplifier (18 watts RMS/50 peak x 4 channels)
flip-down, detachable face
plays audio CDs, CD-Rs, and CD-RWs (including discs loaded with MP3 and WMA music files)
Bass Engine (bass center frequency, width, and level, plus treble center frequency and level adjustments)
BBE processing
three sets of preamp outputs
Source Tone Memory
HD Radio ready (requires Alpine HD Radio Tuner)
controls for an optional XM or SIRIUS satellite radio tuner
controls for iPod with Alpine's optional Full Speed interface cable
CD changer controls
clock
CEA-2006 compliant amplifier
CD frequency response: 5-20,000 Hz
CD signal-to-noise ratio: 105 dB
FM sensitivity: 9.3 dBf
warranty: 1 year
Our 60-day money-back guarantee

Note: Sorry, Crutchfield cannot ship Alpine products to Guam or Puerto Rico.

Hands-on research from the Crutchfield Labs (what are the Labs?)

Features and specs chart | What’s in the box? | In-depth notes

Features and Specs

General
Chassis Size Code Loading...	IEJ
CEA-2006 Compliant Loading...	Yes
RMS Power Output Loading...	18 watts
Peak Output Loading...	50 watts
RMS Power Bandwidth Loading...	20-20kHz
Preamp Outputs Loading...	6-channel
Sub Preamp Outputs Loading...	Yes
Switchable Rear Preamp Outputs Loading...	Yes
Preamp Voltage Loading...	2 volts
Display Color Loading...	White
Key Button Color Loading...	Blue/Green
EQ Bands Loading...	None
Wireless Remote Loading...	Optional
Steering Wheel Control Compatible Loading...	---
Parts Warranty Loading...	1 Year
Labor Warranty Loading...	1 Year
Expandability
AUX Input Loading...	Optional
USB Input Loading...	---
Memory Card Slot Loading...	No
Bluetooth Compatible Loading...	---
Satellite Radio Ready Loading...	Both
HD Radio Loading...	Optional
Navigation Loading...	No
Changer Control Loading...	Yes
iPod Compatibility
Full size Loading...	---
Nano Loading...	---
Touch Loading...	---
Mini Loading...	---
iPhone Loading...	---
Tuner
FM Sensitivity Loading...	9.3 dBf
European Tuning Loading...	No
Seek/Scan Loading...	Seek
Radio Data System Loading...	No

Product Research

What's in the box?

Download owner's manual

CD/MP3/WMA receiver
Wiring harness
Sleeve
Trim ring
Face
Hard plastic face case
4 Countersunk ISO-DIN screws (M5 x 8mm)
Face fixing screw
2 Radio removal tools
Owner's Manual
Customer Care Registration card

Our Product Research Team

At Crutchfield, you'll get detailed, accurate information that's hard to find elsewhere. That's because we have our own in-house Product Research team — they open the box, verify contents, check the owner's manual, and record dimensions, features and specs. We stay on top of new products and technologies to help people make informed choices.

Features
CD Changer Controls
Clock Display Note

Features

CEA-2006 Compliant: The specifications given by Alpine for the built-in amplifier comply with the CEA-2006 mobile amplifier power testing and measurement standards from the CEA (Consumer Electronics Association). All manufacturers who comply with the standard can display the CEA-2006 logo on their product.

iPod Full Speed: The CDA-9856 has an iPod Direct Connection mounted on a 6" pigtail on the rear panel. When used with the optional KCE-422i Alpine Full Speed Connection cable (500KCE422i), your receiver can interface with any Apple iPod with a dock connector. You can quickly and easily search through all of the music contained on your iPod through Playlist, Artist, or Album searches. You can view Artist, Album, Song Information and Song Number right on the head unit's display. The unit can be used with the following iPod versions:

Third generation iPod: Ver.2.3
Fourth generation iPod: Ver.3.0.2
iPod photo: Ver.1.0
iPod mini: Ver.1.3
iPod nano: Ver.1.0
iPod video

MP3/WMA Playback: This unit can play CD-ROM, CD-R, and CD-RW discs containing MP3/WMA files recorded using the ISO 9660 Level 1 or Level 2 formats. MP3 files with constant and variable bit rates from 8 kbps to 320 kbps and WMA files with constant and variable bit rates from 48 kbps to 192 kbps are supported. The unit is compatible with discs containing up to 510 files/folders, with a maximum of 255 folders. ID3 tags v1 and v2, and WMA tags are supported; track title, artist name and album name ID3 tag data can be displayed.

Text/File/Folder Quick Search: When you're playing a disc with CD Text, MP3 or WMA tags, you can easily search for a track or file by its title. Once you have activated the search mode, you can use the rotary encoder to quickly scan through the titles to locate the desired track, and select it by pressing the Search button.

HD Radio Ready: The CDA-9856 can receive HD Radio signals when the TUA-T550HD HD Radio Tuner Module (500TUAT550) is connected via the Ai-NET connector. While receiving HD Radio, the unit can automatically switch between the analog and digital signals, or you can manually switch to the analog signals exclusively.

Satellite Radio Ready: There are several options for connecting an optional XM or Sirius Satellite Radio receiver to the CDA-9856. To receive XM Satellite Radio, you can connect the optional Terk XMD1000 Universal tuner and the Terk XM Direct Smart Digital Adapter for Alpine (700XMALPIN). To receive Sirius Satellite Radio, you can connect the optional Sirius tuner for Alpine (item # 607SIRALP1) directly to the head unit. A portable satellite radio receiver, such as the Delphi SkyFi2 or Sirius Sportster, can be connected to the head unit via an auxiliary input adapter. A compatible antenna and a subscription are also required to receive satellite radio programming from Sirius or XM.

Bass Engine: Bass Engine functions provide control over your system, so you can tailor the sound to your personal tastes. Bass Engine includes the following functions:

Bass Control:
- Bass Center Frequency: Select from 60Hz, 80Hz (default), 100Hz, or 120Hz
- Bass Band Width: Select from 1 (narrow) to 4 (wide)
- Bass Level: Select from -7 to +10 (-14dB to +20dB in 2dB steps)
Treble Control:
- Treble Center Frequency: Select from 7.5kHz, 10kHz (default), 12.5kHz or 15kHz
- Treble Level: -7 to +7 (+/-14dB in 2dB steps)
Defeat On/Off: You can reset the unit to its factory default bass and treble settings by turning the Defeat function on.

Power IC Off: When an external amplifier is connected and the built-in amplifier is not used, removing power from the built-in amplifier will improve the sound quality.

Dimmer: This unit is equipped with an illumination dimmer lead. When the unit's dimmer mode has been set to "Auto" and the illumination lead has been connected to your vehicle's headlight circuit, the display and button illumination will dim to a fixed, preset level whenever the headlights are turned on. If preferred, you may choose the "Manual" dimmer mode setting, so the display and button illumination is dim at all times.

Interrupt Feature: When a device having the interrupt feature (such as a cellular telephone) is connected to the receiver, the audio signal will be automatically muted whenever the interrupt signal is received from the device. The supplied wiring harness contains a pink/black Interrupt lead that needs to be connected to the device's interrupt signal connection.

Optional Auxiliary Input: With the optional KCA-121B Ai-NET/RCA interface cable or KCA-410C Versatile Link Terminal, you can input audio from an auxiliary source unit, such as a TV, VCR or portable unit.

Wireless Remote Ready: The CDA-9856 can be controlled with an optional wireless remote control, such as the RUE-4202 (500RUE4202). The unit has a remote control sensor on the upper right corner of the faceplate.

CD Changer Controls

Ai-NET Compatible: An optional Ai-NET-compatible 6- or 12-disc CD changer (including MP3 and DVD Changers) may be connected to, and controlled by, the CDA-9856. With the KCA-410c Versatile Link Terminal (item # 500KCA410C), you can control multiple changers with this unit.

Clock Display Note

Clock Operation: This unit allows you to choose "keyed" or "unit on" clock operation. When the clock has been given display priority and the unit is turned off, the clock will be displayed whenever the ignition key is in the "on" or "accessory" position. If the clock is not given display priority, the clock is not displayed when the unit is off.

1-10 of 173 items >> Sort Results By: Date Reviewed | Rating | Helpfulness

2 out of 5

great sound auwfull ipod controls

Written By boeingman, Indianapolis on Thursday, February 03, 2011

The good:---- Sound is excellent. --Have had the unit for over 5 years and everthing still
works like day one.---- All the knobs and buttons are still tight.--- there are no burnt out
LED's.---- You can hook up an Ipod. ---The faceplate is removable and the unit looks
really good in your dash.

The bad: --- Ipod interface is absolutely terrible. The only way to enjoy this thing is to set
up playlists before you hit the road because it just is not practical to go around your
entirte menu searching for songs or artists or albums. Even after owning this thing for
over 5 years, I still have a hard time using the select functions for the ipod. This is
because it is so counter intuative. Forget about plug and play with the ipod. You
absolutely, positively , must read the directions to work the ipod controls. FM/AM radio
and cd player is easy to work but have I made my point yet--> The IPOD interface is a
nightmare!!! <---

The way I have adapted to listening to my ipod is to let this thing shuffle songs for me or
just play song after another for me or to select from a playlist I have created previously.

I wish Alpine would come out with an update to the interface program.

If this thing had a better ipod interface control i would give this thing a 4.5 out of 5 stars
but because of this I rate this thing a 2.

Again the sound is fantastic but the control for the ipod should be a deal breaker for
most.

1 out of 1 people found this helpful

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4 out of 5

Unit is great with an iPod. Install had one hitch.

Written By Eric W., Durham, NC on Sunday, January 21, 2007

I installed the Apline CDA-9856 in my Subaru Outback 2003. I was impressed with the detail of the installation instructions that Crutchfield provided, but there was one gotcha when I pulled my factory unit. My unit was a 6-CD changer/receiver as a double-DIN in-dash unit tied to a nine-speaker system (4 tweeters, 4 door mounted speakers, and one subwoofer in the back cargo area). I was provided with a Subaru wiring harness that matched up with the primary harness on the unit, but there was a second, black 6-pin plug with two wires coming out that was not documented anywhere. A call to Crutchfield confirmed at my unit was a Panasonic and not the McIntosh upgrade unit and the best guess was that these two wires went to the subwoofer. It was not clear whether these wires were line or speaker level because I was unable to locate a secondary amp anywhere in the car. I attempted fashion a wire to plug into the Alpine unit's RCA subwoofer out and crimp onto these additional wires. I was not, however, able to get the subwoofer to work.

Otherwise the unit works great. I ran the ipod connector (KCE-422i) to the glove compartment to plug into my 3rd gen iPod. With 8,000+ songs and over 40 playlists, I was concerned how difficult it would be to navigate the unit. While the Alpine controls are not as intuitive as the native iPod controls, they work surprisingly well. I will, however, need to start shortening the names of my playlists since these don't scroll as I dial through them. Scrolling on the artist/album/song info works nicely as the songs play. Based on the reviews I've read, Alpine has one of the better iPod interfaces.

6 out of 8 people found this helpful

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5 out of 5

amazing value

Written By will, Dallas, TX on Wednesday, January 17, 2007

This is the first Alpine that I have ever purchased, and it will be the only brand that I buy from now on. The 9856 is the third after-market deck that Ive put into my current vehicle, and the only one in the $200 or less price range. It also sounds better than the other two decks, hands down. I was blown away by the sound quality that this deck produces, I finally feel like Im getting my moneys worth out of my boston acoustic pros. Ive noticed that some other reviews have complained about a lack of an eq. The fact of the matter is that you simply do not need it with this deck; just minor adjustments to the bass and treble, and this deck sounds better than ANY pioneer deck that Ive ever owned (with incredibly complex eqs). Other people have mentioned the display as being "boring," and not being able to view the artist and time and whatever else at the same time; I find the display to be refreshing. It is not distracting (very important when driving) and not gaudy looking on the dash. A common trend in the reviews for this product is a general disdain for the ipod navigation system: this is a valid complaint. The navigation for the ipod system is extremely counter-intuitive. More than anything it takes practice and patience. The only problem that I have had with this deck is that the face release button in the top left corner (which is neccesary in order to change discs) no longer works consistently. It has to be pressed in just the right way and is nearly impossible to open when needed, so I mostly use my ipod instead. This is the first deck that I installed myself, and with the crutchfield directions it was a breeze, just a couple of hours.

3 out of 3 people found this helpful

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5 out of 5

As to be expected

Written By Frank, Houston, TX on Thursday, January 11, 2007

Great install. Soldered up the harness and left the remote lead for later. Have yet to try out the XM but so far the ipod hookup has been running two days straight and offers such clear music it makes FM sound like AM...Navigation through the menus required me to have the manual handy a few times but it pays to just play through the menus to find all the different setting. I have read concerns about eq's on this unit. In my opinion set it flat and let it work. Boosting the bass or treble all the way is not a natural sounding system. If one of these is lacking its not this head unit....BUY IT you will not be disapointed.

1 out of 1 people found this helpful

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3 out of 5

Alpine CDA-9856

Written By Jeff D, Paoli, PA on Wednesday, January 10, 2007

This unit is very good for the price and for what it does - allow you to control an iPod through the receiver. I deducted one star from my rating because the interface is not very friendly. It definitely takes a lot of practice to use it correctly and even now, almost a year later, I still occassionally mess up searches in my iPod.

The worst part however, is that to scroll through songs or artists, you have to spin the wheel on the head unit which then cycles through each and every entry (I've got over 3000 songs on my iPod). And unlike the iPod, it does not sense you are trying to speed through the songs so it doesn't skip any. As a result (and why I took away another star), it can take a couple minutes to find a particular song which is extremely annoying. And that's not to mention you're generally not paying close attention to the road while scrolling through songs so it's also dangerous

3 out of 3 people found this helpful

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4 out of 5

Great Unit; Mediocre Menu System

Written By Eric, CA on Friday, January 05, 2007

The Good: Easy install, all connections perfect, all functions operational. The iPod interface is great and with the receiver's flexible equalization I was able to fine-tune the sound quite pleasingly. I can queue up a song off the iPod and start it up fast, and when I shut down the car and return later it will go back to that song seamlessly. The iPod happily resides in the glove box.

The Bad: The Alpine control system must have been designed by an IRS accountant. Way too many controls needed for each function. Very confusing to adjust the system options. Instead of just displaying the artist, album and track name on one screen, it scrolls them, one after another, slowly and slightly annoyingly.

The Ugly: As is typical, the default install has the unit sticking out from the dashboard bezel half an inch, with the obligatory generic trim ring. Clean, but it screams Please Steal this Aftermarket Head Unit. I'm maybe gonna try recessing it this weekend and filling in the standard aftermarket-head-unit gap around the face with some black foam weatherstripping or some such.

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4 out of 5

Great Features but Slow iPod Controls

Written By Brandon, Springfield, MO on Thursday, January 04, 2007

Overall, I'm very pleased with this unit. Installation was a snap and the features are all fairly straight forward. I've only had to peek at the owner's manual once so far.

I chose this Alpine over some other brands because of the high marks it received for its iPod controls. While I'm very pleased that all commands are immediate (no lag time), I am disappointed with one thing. When searching, whether by artist, song title or album, the unit ALWAYS goes back to the beginning of the alphabet instead of picking back up where it left off. This would be fine for Nano's or Mini's but I have a 30GB iPod with nearly 400 different artists (and still growing!). My eyes have to be off the road and on the display for far too long to find what I'm looking for.

I guess nothing can really replace the genius of the iPod click-wheel. At least my iPod is stored out of harm's way.

I also purchased the optional aux input and it works great. I simply had to navigate through the setup menu to turn the input on. I used it to patch in my XM Roady and it's a VAST improvement over the FM modulator setup I had previously!

This Alpine unit packs in a lot of great features and plenty of room to grow for a very reasonable price. And of course, Crutchfield got it to me quick and were very speedy in responding to the question I had for them.

1 out of 1 people found this helpful

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5 out of 5

Covers All My Bases

Written By Shane, Riverton, UT on Sunday, December 31, 2006

I purchased this deck when it first came out and I have nothing bad to say about it. It is extremely universal with its iPod and ai-net connections. The internal amp drives my 4"'s and 6"x9"'s well. Bass Engine and other sound controls give you lots of tools to tweak your sound.
This is an awesome deck and I would recommend it to any one along with all of alpines other products! FIVE STARS!

1 out of 1 people found this helpful

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4 out of 5

Nice Stereo; Get the 422i iPod cable and you're set!

Written By Healymonster, Pittsburgh, PA on Sunday, December 31, 2006

Great stereo for $200 range. Crisp, clean, sound. Adequate power. Nice (not luxurious) display. Decent sound tweaking ability. Adequate connections for typical system (I'm running a separate amp / sub). Switching between sources (tuner, CD, iPod)very fast!!

Speaking of iPod (the reason I bought it), get the KCE-422i cable and you're golden. iPod control is flawless. I have 80G iPod loaded with 300 albums (about 3600 tracks). I scroll through that as fast as I can turn the volume knob. Near instantaneous searching. Can search on album, artist, playlist, or song, (why would you ever search for a single song among thousands??? Even on a computer that's pure torture). Display instantly shows all relevant track info from iPod. Some key points most reviewers don't mention is it shuts iPod off when engine off, and resumes playback at same spot when engine turned back on. iPod sound quality is perfect (224Kbps MP3's).

Cons -
- blue button LEDs a bit too bright (distracting).
- selecting artist, album uses different button than selecting song (minor inconsistency, deal with it).

I read dozens of reviews on other iPod connections. They're all bad(including Alpine's 1st attempt). They either have dumb limitations on # of tracks or info displayed, buggy, iPod loses place when car shut off, or SLOOOWWW. The Alpine "full speed" solution just works.

3 out of 3 people found this helpful

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5 out of 5

Great Player!!!!

Written By Evan, Marshall, Mn on Friday, December 29, 2006

I got this cd player for x-mass and i am very impressed with it! I installed it im my 2003 Grand Prix SE and it went in allmost wihtout a hitch. The only problem was that the adapter for the new sterio was a little to big for the slot in the car so i had to take a file and file off some of the plastic so that it would fit in. Otherwise the instalation was flawless. I didn't even have to bend the tabs to secure the radio it fit in so perfect! And the sterio itself is awsome. i hook it up to my ipod nano and i have all my songs and it is so nice not having to deal with the cds. i have allmost 500 songs at my fingertips! the controls however could be a little easier but you get used to them really quick! And i wish it would allways display the clock wile cycling though the song info. Other wise this was a great sterio for someone who has a ipod! and the styling is great. it looks really sharp and clean in the car! But i don't have any real complaints with this sterio! it is a Great sterio. don't hesitate to buy it. you won't regret it!

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Alpine CDA-9856

CD player with MP3/WMA playback

Item# 500CDA9856 offer details

Review Sumary

Our take on the Alpine CDA-9856

Why replace your factory radio?

Highlights:

Hands-on research from the Crutchfield Labs (what are the Labs?)

Features and Specs

Product Research

Our Product Research Team

Product Reviews

great sound auwfull ipod controls

Unit is great with an iPod. Install had one hitch.

amazing value

As to be expected

Alpine CDA-9856

Great Unit; Mediocre Menu System

Great Features but Slow iPod Controls

Covers All My Bases

Nice Stereo; Get the 422i iPod cable and you're set!

Great Player!!!!

Learn more about Car Receivers

Learn more about Car Receivers

CD Receivers Shopping Guide

What's 'Appening?

Video: Four Important Car Stereo Accessories

Video: What are Digital Media Receivers?

DVD Receivers — they're not just for movies

Accessories

Accessories we recommend

Extras

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