10000000000000000000000000% better

 

There are quite a few different Alpine head units that were delivered as stock in the Elise/Exige. I consider myself lucky, I got the CDA-9820XM with the iPod interface... so I have AM/FM/XM/CD/iPod, all from the factory. The display is not as bling as the latest Alpines, and it's only got 18W/channel (and I've solved that problem with a 600W), but I really can't justify the hassle and expense to upgrade to a newer unit for a marginal interface improvement, and not much else. Upgrading your speakers and adding an amp are likely to improve the stereo more than an upgraded head unit.

 

I actually bought the same alpine unit now offered from lotus (coincidentally) and it works great, but.... You will need an amp if you want to hear it with the top off and no matter how good your speakers are (I have TOTL Boston Acoustics) they'll never sound that loud because they're too small.

Based on what you're saying, you'll probably be very happy with it if you also bought an amp. My 2c

 

I dont know which Alpine it is exactly because I have only seen it once and I will not have it for about a week. But I know that it does have an ipod adapter cable thats to the right of the HU in the little half tunnel holder. Hmmmm..... hope this one has the XM as well.

 

It does.

 

I thought my blaupunkt head and speakers in my elise were superior. The alpine in my exige S was absolutely horrible.