Reserved looks, durability (I've used mine in two vehicles on and off for 12 years! Simple to use with most needed features easy to reach. The loudness control is the best I've ever heard, and the three band control makes it unnecessary to add an eq or my old BBE car sonic maximizer. The rotary volume control is better than buttons. Its 40-45 W amps allow me to run two additoinal pairs of tweeters up front. The music quality is the best I've heard. There's a reason Nak has been standard equipment in Lexus cars. It is also very flexible and you can bring out the best with HQ speakers and amps. I'm running two Harman Kardon mobile amps for the front with MB quart and Pioneer components, and a Boston amp for rear 6X9 Pioneers. I've added outboard HD radio and iPad interface fed into the system through the AUX input. Friends with BMW's, Mercedes, and Lexus cars can not believe the sound. I did all the install myself and saved hundreds. The removable faceplate has not given me a problem through thousands of removal and replacement. Can't complain about the CD-R occassional problem because it is not even supposed to support it. I'm so happy with it that despite my iPod with >4K songs, I still prefer the sound of CD's. So I have just bought a Nak MB75 in dash CD changer for $165! I play the iPod most of the time, the HD radio fills in when I do not have a CD in the radio and I forget my iPod, but now I'll have the option of loading it with 5 CD's to enjoy the ultimate in sound.

Speaker wires are below par for such a fine brand. I wish it would have a front Aux input, but in those days no deck had them.

Im life there are very few things that you can look at and say, this is one of the best investments I ever made. The NAK 40z is such a machine. Along with my home Sunfire amp, Snell Type A speakers, and Apt 1 and 2 preamps, it has given me the most pleasure in ownership. When I get my NAK in dash changer, I will move this unit to work/daily car.

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Yamaha, Blaupunkt, Bose (stock Mercedes). None of them hold a candle to this unit.

Clarity, sound quality, stock appearance, volume knob..I really like that you can control midrange along with the treble and bass. I'm glad it has a non-fading sub output.

The display is green and my dash lights are blue. I don't really mind but it definately would look better if it matched.

I bought this because I wanted something with good sound quality and I wanted it to look stock. I've had too many friends get their stereo's stolen, and before I installed this one I almost caught someone at my own car. So this was important to me. I'm also on a budget, and believe I got a great deal on this nak. This is the first component I've replaced in my new car so it took the place of a factory cd player. I was really surprised at the difference in detail and sound quality, even though it's not a top of the line deck. I really like having just a volume knob instead of buttons too. So far I'm really happy with it. It should be a good start for my system.

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Nothing quite as good as this. Just Panasonic and Sony.

CD plays CD and CD-Rs without skipping. Remote control is easy to use. All controls are easy to find and are self explanatory (not like the Sony in my Honda-still trying to fgure that one out after a year. I really like having a volume dial isnstead of the more common these days up and down buttons.

When attaching and detaching the face plate it feels like it will break.

Purchased and had dealer install unit with facory speakers in 2002 Explorer. Have had no problems ejecting CDs even on the coldest of Alaska mornings (-25f). Sound is detailed and realistic. Tuner captures stations that the Ford installed tuner did not.

Remote. Remote. Remote. Green LCD Remote. Black. Remote. Great sound.

Only 3-band equalizer. Kinda pricy. Ejecting mechanism weak and CD-R''s can get stuck.

Good quality sound, especially with my Infinity Kappas (rear) and Bose sub split with Bostons RX-67 (front). Clear quality sound, hardly any static.

Looks well built,too bad is made where its made,what hapened to japanese products no longer "MADE IN JAPAN",even german brands no longer built "MADE IN GERMANY",hoppe it lasts.

Because of our nearly worthless canuck bucks i had no choice but to pay the price,even to buy it on e-bay or u-bid ,by the time conversion takes place i''ll end up paying even more,so i choose to bite the bullet.

I''m impresed with it''s appearance,i was considering Blaupunkt 7 series(similar look)but it''s out of production and everything else looks like it''s a small chrismas tree with all the lights and plasma display,swimming dolphins,city scapes,etc basiclly screaming at the 16 and 17 years olds ,but not much for some of us that dont drive hondas and neons,i cant wait to install the NAK,i''l post another note when it''s my car!

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Blaupunkt Montreal,Blaupunkt Lexington.

SImple layout. Bass/mid/treble controls that really work well. Very quiet between tracks even at full volume. No skipping. Plays CD-R very well.(at least Sony CD-Rs) Speaker output sound pretty good. Pre-amp outputs sound awesome. Sub-woofer ouput. AUX input.

Recently started having problems ejecting CDs. Reset no help. I''ve seen other reviewers are having the same ejecting issue. Tuner could sound a little better. Removeable face is difficult to release from left side. I thought I was going to break the face getting it off head unit. No seperate subwoofer control.

I''ve had the unit a little over 4 months. The CD sound is awesome!. Tuner is OK, as mentioned previously. The unit has never skipped, and I''ve played a few different CD-R''s without any problems. Unit looks good without being too flashy and is easy to operate while driving. I''d give 5 stars if it wasn''t for the CD ejecting issue.

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Denon Alpine Pioneer

SQ of the CD player

None

Great SQ especially from the CD player. Very detailed and great depth. Radio SQ is OK. Reception is good though. Bass may be a bit lacking but could be because there no sub fitted in my stationwagon. No CD skipping encountered.

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Philips Sony

3 sets of pre outs, 4 volts each. Good SQ, not the most flashy display. Matches my dsah illumination at night. It doesnt say go steal me. The rotary volume control and remote are good also. Not a terribly exspensive cd-player. A really good value if you are looking for 3 sets of pre outs. I listen to a variety of music and it sounds very good.

There is no sub out, but I dont care much. No other weaknesses.

The Nakamichi 40z is a mid to high end cd player. I may not have lots of useless features but it comes with the stuff that matters. It looks good and matches my dash illumination in my car. I would buy this deck again.

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Alpine, Kenwood, Panasonic, Pioneer.

Intelligent design/placement of buttons. Rotary volumn knob, nice remote. 3 sets of preamp outs. The sound. The sound. Lack of cd''s skipping.

No sub control, does have a subwoofer preamp out, just no volumn control. Not a huge deal to me.

Very reliable and rugged. Plays all of my CDR''s. Sound quality is still great, considering the 1-bit DAC. Great looks. I don''t think i''ll ever buy another head unit, and if/when I do, it will be a nak 45z.

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Mid-end Clarion HU''s and a lower-end JVC. If you have the cash, mine as well get the 45z. If you''re strapped for cash, grab the 40z!