awesome sound quality

faceplate a little hard to attach/detach (maybe because it's new). A little hard to see the display in sunlight. Lost some bass/treble control from previous head unit (Sony XRC-900)

The sound produced from the head unit is unbelievably pure. FM/AM reception is also remarkably clear. Overall, I'm pretty satisfied with the unit but now need to replace my exisiting system with some new components to complement the head unit.

This is definitely a head unit for car audio enthusiasts but too pricey for the average person. If you can talk the price down to about 900 or so, don't pass it up.

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the one I replaced with this unit (Sony XRC-900) and possibly the Sony CDX-910...both previous top of the line models prior to C90.

Very very clean. Sharp looking and ergonomic

Very difficult to see in the sun, especially with sunglasses on.

I would have liked to listened to a McIntosh head or the new Nakamichi head. I have heard that the Nakamichi is better, but it had better be good. I got mine off Ebay for much less than retail. It is very ergonomic and very sharp looking. I already had two subs, and the difference in the sharpness and clarity of the bass with this head can't be described. I am running it into a McIntosh MC420M into a set of 6.5" MB Quart Q series up front. I'm still looking for a set of good 6x9s for the rear. With the DVOL on, which bypasses the bass and treble controls, this sounds almost like the performers are in the car with you...great imaging. The VC digital filter is also very neat and makes a little difference. Other than the display problem, this is a great headunit. The specs on it are terrific and it sounds as good as the specs. The only head I have heard of as being better is the new Nakamichi CD-700, and it goes for about $1,500. I would like to hear it, but I am very happy with my Sony. I haven't had any trouble with the motorized face, like other people claim either.

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none

Clarity, clarity, clarity.

only e.q. worth adding is also in the $1000.00 range.

I am running a pair of Boston RM6's for rear, Boston Proseries6.5's for front and Polk Audio DB10-4 for sub purposes. I am also using the MTX Thunder4320 for the rears and the sub (bridged for the sub of course) and an MTX Thunder4160 for the front (each "half" bridged for each of the Proseries 6.5 units). I was using the same system with the afore mentioned Clarion "Pro" equipment for a year and was always quite satisfied with the ability to make E.Q. adustments through the face of the receiver while being able to hide away the e.q./processing unit itself (I am not one who likes to clutter up the dashboard). However when I started having one problem after another with my optical cable (used to connect the two units) I reluctantly decided it was time to switch brands. My only problem with the Sony unit was that the only E.Q. unit with a comparable set of D/A converters was also about $1000.00! I wrestled with this dilema for some time because it had always been my belief that in an imperfect enviornment like a car an E.Q. is an absolute MUST. Finally I gave in and said o.k. I'll switch to the sony but I'll have to wait on the E.Q.
WOW! I have been completely blown away by the accuracy and detail that the CDXC90 delivers! I don't even see the need for an E.Q. any longer! The clarity of sound this unit delivers is superb! If you can afford it, GO FOR IT! You will not be dissapointed. Oh, and by the way the "tilt" features are holding up just fine and "chicks dig it!"

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Clarion DRX9375R ($700.00 range), and DPH7000 ($400.00 range).

Lush, warm, wonderful sound quality, no ugly gimmicky displays, real volume knob, detachable face

Screen unreadable in bright sun, motorized face mechanism not rock-solid

I paid $1199 becuase I was at the mercy of Crutchfield to take my Blaupunkt back after I'd been driving with it for more than a month. I've got it running through a Kenwood eXcelon 4-channel, a BA Pro sub and BA RC61's. Although at high volumes the RC61's I think get a little bright, in general the system is warm, detailed, focused--everything you'd expect from a good home stereo.

I'm not sure it's well-enough built to risk getting one from a sketchy net place with no warranty, and you're definitely paying a premium for the fact that in this class of sound quality, there aren't that many competitors. But if you've got the money and your single criterion is sound quality at the exclusion of built-in equalizers, analyzers, flip-over faces and other doodads, then get it.

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Replaced Blaupunkt Toronto, which looked perfect with recent blue-and-red VW lighting but had harsh, unfriendly highs and unmusical bass, and not nearly as good a tuner

Quad 20bit dac

The best source unit you can buy between 900 to 1200 dollars, this puppy is retail at 1200, but i have seen people get it from the dealer for 975-1000 only if they haggle their butt's off. This unit has the best sound quality in the price range, fm recpetion is pretty amazily clear. Altogether this is a CHOICE unit.

The looks!, A QUAD 20 bit DAC, High Voltage!, and cool features.

none that i can think of

This product replaced the Sony ES CDX-910. The C90 is not a casual purchase. It is TOP LINE, the Sound Quality in the reproduction of music is eye poppin. Even the FM reception is remarkably clear. I have heard the Alpine 7949, Pionner premier dex-p1r, Nakamichi mb-100, and I have previously owned a Clarion DRX-9255 and a Eclipse 5506. None of these can compare to the sound quality of the Sony ES CDX-C90. This unit in every way is remarkable. I purchased it for 925 dollars, retail price is 1200. THe only thing that comes close to the C90 would have to be the NEW Nakamichi CD-700. Actually i have heard it to be better than the C90. But the price is a few hundred dollars more than the C90. The C90 will be with me for a very long time. Now maybe i can save some money.

It is by far the best in-dash cd headunits I have ever came across. The tumer is amazing. Sweet clean sound. The cd player bring's the music alive even with a average set of speakers.

The LCD is hard to read in the sun light but not bad with tinted windows. HAHA.

I beleave this is a product that is going to be around for a long time. Bar none! I have been in the industry for over 10 years now and sony's mobile es is the way to go.

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I owned a full boat ES componet system P1,T1,C1,X1. This is as close to that as your going to get.

Sound quality. Ad on ablity.

Display

Best Deck I have ever owned. Previously I had a CDX-910 and I thought that was great until I got this. I have a 4" LCD display with the Sony TV tuner and together these are great!! The LCD helps with the display problems also.

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CDX-910

Pure unmatched sound quality. Easy to use. Nice NOB (no ordinary button) volume control. Anti Skip function (very helpful as I drive a dumped VW with very stiff suspension). Great remote.

No performance weakness. The dim light of display is fine if you adjust contrast, but they should find way to improve this.

Holy crap! I just picked up one of the premier head units available for $570!! This place called CarToys was liquidating their sony gear, and boy, did I jump on the opportunity. I have been using this unit for about a month. I have Focal Polykevlar 165K2's, Focal 33K Sub, Soundstream Rubiocon 404 and 502. I could not think of a better way to treat the Focal gear. This C90 has incredible reproduction qualities. The DVOL function is out of this world in terms of noise free pure sound quality. I realize the Alpine 7990 and the new Nak 700 may be close if not better then this unit, but for 570....how could I wrong? This deck is awesome, bottom line.

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Eclipse 55430, Alpine 7968....but these don't compare really.

cd sound quality is great
cd player looks

face plate is kinda flimsy and the display is kinda hard to read in sunlight, the radio tuner is not the best ive had.

Great sq. Top of the line cd player.

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