*For sale - an Alpine 7618R full logic cassette head unit with CD changer controls*
I have decided to sell off a few of my prized head units from my collection of late 80's and early 90's Alpine gear.
I'll get the price out of the way in case you're here thinking this is going to be a £30 bit of ornamental tat.
If you're still reading then it's probably because you actually understand that this is indeed a very high quality and very sought after unit.
The 7618R was the flagship model of the Alpine range in the very early 90's. It was the pioneer & showcase of the new digital link techonology which enabled the creation of a completely digital system when incorporated with some of the other superb Alpine units such as the 5959S or 5957S 'digital link' CD changers, the 3362 'digital link' equalizer/sound field controller, the 3681 'digital link' frequency processor and the 3900 'digital link' D/A converter. All of which could be linked up via one of the outstanding 'Class A' amplifiers such as the 3558.
In its most basic form, what we have here is a very, very capable and high quality cassette head unit that can be married up to pretty much any of the Alpine 6 disc CD changers and an external amplifier.
Beyond that, you can use it as the building block to control one of the most sophisticated and high end audio systems ever to be designed for a car. Car audio has not been equalled since this era where the focus was on pure sound quality, not just huge volume and wild claims of 'mega watts' output.
Since the introduction of compressed music formats (MP3, iTunes etc...) sound quality has taken second place to convenience and cramming as much music into as small a format as possible. There simply hasn't been a need to produce units of this quality since because most people are just happy with their watered down copy of the original music. If, however, you like listening to something really special and really being immersed in a truly awesome listening experience then this is the sort of unit for you.
Obviously you'll want to use some nice speakers and a good quality amp too in order to get the best out of it. Being such a high end piece of kit, this doesn't sacrifice or compromise itself with an 'on board' amplifier. Instead, it only has 'pre-outs' which as used to run seperate amps. I am sure you're aware of this if you've got this far?
Anyway, this unit has been in my collection for a good few years but I just don't think I'm going to get around to fitting it into one of my cars so would rather sell it on where someone else can enjoy it. It's such a lovely unit!
The condition of the unit is superb. It's been well looked after and it shows. It's from the 'classic' era of Alpine where the iconic 6 green button 'ice cube' format was used. I don't think a head unit has ever looked as good as this style that Alpine adopted in the late 80's and early 90's. Simple, sophisticated and very easy to use.
This one is in full working order, ready for you to hook up an amp, some speakers and enjoy some amazing sounds. I'd recommend buying an Alpine 6 disc chager at the very least so that you can really enjoy the sound quality. You can pick up the Alpine 5952 CD changer for around £40 including lead and this hooks straight up to the unit to give you CD sound for very little.
A very rare feature that this model has (rare from this era) is the ability to change from the classic Alpine green illumination to orange. Previously you had to special order if you wanted orange, and it's only recently where we've been spoilt with colour change options on most models.
It's touches like this that really make this model stand out against the lesser versions.
Another thing that most of the 'ice cube' head units didn't have was RDS...or multi-segment display. This unit combined the classic looks with all the new features that were so high tech at the time. This unit was so special that they continued to sell it even after they dropped the classic 'ice cube' style for the rest of the range in favour of the raised oval three button style.
The other great feature (well, I've always like it) is the 'handbag' security. We're so used to the flip off facais of modern units, leaving the main part of the head unit in the dashboard.
These units were designed on a removable chassis, so you pressed a little button and a handle popped out enabling you to take the whole unit with you. No risk of your beautiful unit getting stolen if it's in your house.
I guess nowadays its not quite so critical, but it's a nice feature to have. Harking back to the days where car audio theft was so high, mainly thanks to the desirability of units like this! Who wants to break into a car nowadays to steal the sort of chod that people buy from Halfords?
The display works perfectly, so does the contrast function (very rare even now!). The full logic all works exactly as it should and tapes eject/play/FFD/RRW/pause without hesitation. Basically, everything on this unit is in perfect working order.
I've also taken the liberty of snapping the basic spec from the 1994 brochure (the last year the 7618R was produced) so you can see for yourself the amazing list of features this had for a head unit of this era.
Buy this and you're not only buying a really cool and retro looking bit of kit, you're also buying an amazing piece of very high end audio that simply cannot be bettered with most other car audio.
Like I say, it's easy for someone to dismiss the price 'just because it's an old cassette deck' but that's entirely missing the point. Completely. Here is one currently for sale to give you an idea of what they generally sell for in good condition, working order with the right cage and wiring: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALPINE-7618R-Audiophile-Car-Headunit-Tape-Cassette-Player-CD-Changer-Controller-/230915626166?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item35c3a4d4b6
^^and that has fairly worn buttons!^^
Their other 7618R sold for £240 recently. I know them at Orange Classics and they know me....I can vouch that their prices are pretty representational of what these items sell for. Says something about classic Alpine audio gear doesn't it?
I have decided to sell off a few of my prized head units from my collection of late 80's and early 90's Alpine gear.
I'll get the price out of the way in case you're here thinking this is going to be a £30 bit of ornamental tat.
If you're still reading then it's probably because you actually understand that this is indeed a very high quality and very sought after unit.
The 7618R was the flagship model of the Alpine range in the very early 90's. It was the pioneer & showcase of the new digital link techonology which enabled the creation of a completely digital system when incorporated with some of the other superb Alpine units such as the 5959S or 5957S 'digital link' CD changers, the 3362 'digital link' equalizer/sound field controller, the 3681 'digital link' frequency processor and the 3900 'digital link' D/A converter. All of which could be linked up via one of the outstanding 'Class A' amplifiers such as the 3558.
In its most basic form, what we have here is a very, very capable and high quality cassette head unit that can be married up to pretty much any of the Alpine 6 disc CD changers and an external amplifier.
Beyond that, you can use it as the building block to control one of the most sophisticated and high end audio systems ever to be designed for a car. Car audio has not been equalled since this era where the focus was on pure sound quality, not just huge volume and wild claims of 'mega watts' output.
Since the introduction of compressed music formats (MP3, iTunes etc...) sound quality has taken second place to convenience and cramming as much music into as small a format as possible. There simply hasn't been a need to produce units of this quality since because most people are just happy with their watered down copy of the original music. If, however, you like listening to something really special and really being immersed in a truly awesome listening experience then this is the sort of unit for you.
Obviously you'll want to use some nice speakers and a good quality amp too in order to get the best out of it. Being such a high end piece of kit, this doesn't sacrifice or compromise itself with an 'on board' amplifier. Instead, it only has 'pre-outs' which as used to run seperate amps. I am sure you're aware of this if you've got this far?
Anyway, this unit has been in my collection for a good few years but I just don't think I'm going to get around to fitting it into one of my cars so would rather sell it on where someone else can enjoy it. It's such a lovely unit!
The condition of the unit is superb. It's been well looked after and it shows. It's from the 'classic' era of Alpine where the iconic 6 green button 'ice cube' format was used. I don't think a head unit has ever looked as good as this style that Alpine adopted in the late 80's and early 90's. Simple, sophisticated and very easy to use.
This one is in full working order, ready for you to hook up an amp, some speakers and enjoy some amazing sounds. I'd recommend buying an Alpine 6 disc chager at the very least so that you can really enjoy the sound quality. You can pick up the Alpine 5952 CD changer for around £40 including lead and this hooks straight up to the unit to give you CD sound for very little.
A very rare feature that this model has (rare from this era) is the ability to change from the classic Alpine green illumination to orange. Previously you had to special order if you wanted orange, and it's only recently where we've been spoilt with colour change options on most models.
It's touches like this that really make this model stand out against the lesser versions.
Another thing that most of the 'ice cube' head units didn't have was RDS...or multi-segment display. This unit combined the classic looks with all the new features that were so high tech at the time. This unit was so special that they continued to sell it even after they dropped the classic 'ice cube' style for the rest of the range in favour of the raised oval three button style.
The other great feature (well, I've always like it) is the 'handbag' security. We're so used to the flip off facais of modern units, leaving the main part of the head unit in the dashboard.
These units were designed on a removable chassis, so you pressed a little button and a handle popped out enabling you to take the whole unit with you. No risk of your beautiful unit getting stolen if it's in your house.
I guess nowadays its not quite so critical, but it's a nice feature to have. Harking back to the days where car audio theft was so high, mainly thanks to the desirability of units like this! Who wants to break into a car nowadays to steal the sort of chod that people buy from Halfords?
The display works perfectly, so does the contrast function (very rare even now!). The full logic all works exactly as it should and tapes eject/play/FFD/RRW/pause without hesitation. Basically, everything on this unit is in perfect working order.
I've also taken the liberty of snapping the basic spec from the 1994 brochure (the last year the 7618R was produced) so you can see for yourself the amazing list of features this had for a head unit of this era.
Buy this and you're not only buying a really cool and retro looking bit of kit, you're also buying an amazing piece of very high end audio that simply cannot be bettered with most other car audio.
Like I say, it's easy for someone to dismiss the price 'just because it's an old cassette deck' but that's entirely missing the point. Completely. Here is one currently for sale to give you an idea of what they generally sell for in good condition, working order with the right cage and wiring: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALPINE-7618R-Audiophile-Car-Headunit-Tape-Cassette-Player-CD-Changer-Controller-/230915626166?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item35c3a4d4b6
^^and that has fairly worn buttons!^^
Their other 7618R sold for £240 recently. I know them at Orange Classics and they know me....I can vouch that their prices are pretty representational of what these items sell for. Says something about classic Alpine audio gear doesn't it?