BEST head Unit Replacement?

Bumping this old thread to see if anyone has any recent information or updates.
I see Kenwood has released a new top of the line HU. Anyone installed or have feedback? Any news on if Alpine or Pioneer will be following suit?

https://www.kenwood.com/usa/car/navigation_multimedia/dnr1008rvs/
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_113DNR1008/Kenwood-DNR1008RVS.html?tp=72357

 

Mine has 5v preouts. Actual 4.7 v.

 

I called alpine to service my ilx-f411 that stopped working. “Sorry we don’t have parts for those”. They told me to buy a new one. Can you believe that crap?

 

Alpine makes great units.

 

All I have ever bought for the most part. Probably buy a kenwood next.

 

Yep, companies don't care about loyalty anymore.

 

Hard to tell the upgrades from 1007...still love mine.

 

$1,399 DNR1007XR eXcelon 10.1" High Definition Navigation Car Stereo Receiver with Capacitive Touch Panel

DNR1007XR has 5Volt Preouts.

 

my entune just pooped out again. does this kenwood integrate with the back up camera and steering wheel functions.
I can off set some of the cost by selling my dsr1.

 

4 camera inputs.

 

This is what makes me lose confidence in the 'domestics'; at the same time Im still not sold on the straight Androids via Scamazon or direct from PRC. Altho, all things considered, I was an Alpine fan and was ready to buy the Ilx-507 mainly b/c I like the lower button row [i like the idea of the Toyota dash frame in my '06 as a hand rest while accessing buttons @70mph].
The other 'domestic' thats a close 2nd for me is the Pioneer DMH-C2550NEX [mouthfull] with a 'Left Edge row of buttons' that altho are closer to driver, theyre not as comfortable to use as a -lower-horizontal row' for hand rest support, like the Alpine.
I also like a wireless remote control, which Pioneer includes, but costs extra w/Alpine.
Also, ilx507 is wireless CP/AA and a Capacitive display; DMH-C2550NEX is wired CP/AA and Resistive touch, thus about $200 delta.

Having stated all that, Im not ruling out an ATOTO or Joying [w/hard buttons & wireless remotes] only b/c of the wide open Android O/S [OBD display, TPMS] and I believe [cant prove it] ALL manafacturers are using same components when it comes to Amp/Tuner/BT radios.

Please chime-in if my cursory research conclusions on the topic are wrong, mis-guided, narrow or just plain BS!

 

I'm about right there with you as far as paying top dollar for "high quality" name brand head units. If the average time span for trouble free operation is less than 2 years, I'm of the mind to just buy a Chinese knock off and replace when it craps out. To hell with these elitists and their lack of customer service.

 

I get where you’re coming from but it hasn’t been my experience. My Kenwood is almost 5 years old and is still functioning perfectly. I’ve only had the Alpine about a year but no complaints or issues.

 

I have a used Kenwood in the Sequoia and zero issues with it too. Maybe that'll be my next one.

 

Thot to edit this before anyone sits thru 40min's: Its 90% SQ comparisons, since thats as important to me as a Backup cam, Cell interface & Videos. But he's comparing to a near 5-star Alpine HU.

Here's an 'audio-engineer' hands-on evaluation of the ATOTO [S8G2A74MS] headunit sound quality compared to an Alpine F409.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_2X5dO8BMo

For context, the F409 is about a $800 HU, so comparing it to a $280 PRC HU might not be 'balanced reporting'? [For the record, I didnt sit thru 40 min's of his Utube; its deeper in the weeds than my 70s college degree was interested in.]
Nonetheless, audio is more than 50% [for me] of the return on investment, and when road-noise is factored in, all car HU's need all the help they can get.
So, I submit for your assessments.

 

Looking at the OP's title: "Best head unit replacement"...
EDIT: just re-read his #1 and he is specific about wants but not cost, so for the benifit of anyone else who has simpler tastes, like me...
if you're in the "under $500" column, it seems to come down to choices between Auxilliary Features [android widgets & whistles] vs. Essentials [Sound Quality, Ease of User Input and 'The Devil u already know'...]
So personally, I was split between a $400+ standard brand [I call them the 'Big4': Pioneer,Kenwood,Sony,Alpine] vs. the PRoC-full-Androids...
On one hand I get brand [Big4] familiarity and better SQ processing and usually adequete or better built-in Amplification... and the devil I already know; with the other [PRoC Androids] I get a truckload of Android customization & functionality I mostly dont need or want, [except for OBD data display and maybe TPMS on our Gen1s].
I feel like my preference to stay w/the "big 4" is reinforced by the "perceived" warranty process [as @Rubberdown has lived [-sorry bout that], altho I've never had a "Big 4" car audio failure [other than some just sucked fr/design flaws] but then Ive not installed/owned the latest in digital multi-media/multi-interfaceables for a car since my 2010 Alpine Sgl-DIN UTE-73BT [great SQ,]
Between the 'Big4', given that Wireless CP/AA and Cell mirroring seems to be a mature standard now, my highest priorities boil down to Display quality [Resistive v Capacitive, 480p, 720p, (7" is my Tundras' max; not a fan of bigger), etc], User Interface and my latest consideration is what kind of HHeld-remote is available [since my SR5 has no SteeringW Controls]....
Each of the 'Big4' have their own Design Quirks: some have clumsy UI, some have bad user menu structure and some make a simple radio look like an Income Tax Return.... but all seem to exhibit high quality SQ and Amplification [especially for those who dont want/need an external amp setup].
Most of their differences seem to be what the 'Big4' corporate/sales heads think the end user wants vs. how its packaged at a given price-point.
A minor complaint about the 'Big4': Notice how they dont specify what kind of system processor, memory chips or other hardware are used to accomplish the 'Whizz-bang' effects? I will say that at least the PRoC products being pitched will try to impress w/specs we're most accustomed to when buying a PC, even if we fully understand their real advantanges or not.
And to anyone new to the PRoC Android HU's offerings [like me], it has its share of 'Fake Android' hardware merchandise:
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/car-entertainment/276530-identifying-fake-android-head-unit.html
For my $400+ [hopefully less via cruchfield clearances or scratch n dents] I guess i'm seeing one of the Big4 in my dash around Xmas or thereabouts.

 

Update:
I think Im resolved on staying in 7" screen universe [had considered a 'floating display' but looks like my column shifter + my 'rt mitt' will be colliding w/a Floating 9" on every shift.].
So b/c I like bottom row hard buttons, a capacitive screen and HHeld remote, my target is currently Kenwood DMX9708S...of course its over my orig $400 limit [C-field: $600] , so will likely wait til after 2025 kicks in unless I see someone post that its failure prone or otherwise a weak Headunit for the cost and my preferences.