Although it shocked us audiophiles and top mobile sources (for their practical side) have largely taken over the CD. Having been one of the first to integrate an iPod control on his car radio, Alpine innovates again by unveiling the first car radio compatible Nokia. The CRC-123R also has many assets to attract young customers, starting with its price!
Compatibility with Nokia Smartphones!
Why the choice of Nokia? Well according to market research in Europe Smartphone Nokia is currently the most prevalent (31% market share in France). The war rages by Smartphones, Alpine will likely develop compatibility with other smartphones. For now, we have tested the CD-123R with a Nokia N series and all other sources nomads he can control. Control Nokia is not the only advantage of this unit, it offers very good value for money. See this in detail!
Benefits: Dual USB!
Visually speaking, the CRC-123R incorporates the usual Alpine Design: translucent keys, 4-color illumination, rotary control, and modern class ... It. Being a mid-range car, it's going to cover overhead and adopts a CD player in front. In short, we find ourselves in familiar territory, and especially since the Alpine car stereos offer good ergonomics. For connectivity with mobile sources, Alpine has made it big. The CRC-123R has two USB ports: one on the front quickly accessible and protected by a flap, and another on the rear panel. For the rear port, Alpine provides a USB cord, to place the jack in the glove box. Both can play media USB key, hard drive, USB / SD memory cards, MP3 players, ...
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| Nokia, iPod, USB, PND, this unit can play sound from many sources nomads |
Of course, these USB ports can also be used to control an iPod or iPhone. The big news is that they can control a Nokia Smartphone to read music. In both cases, you can access playlists from the radio buttons and titles appear on the screen. This principle is very advantageous because it can leave two USB drives connected: for example a key on the front, and an iPod in the glove compartment on the rear jack. The source menu lets you toggle from one to another. Alpine has even provided a touch of "favorite", it is enough to set the source as you listen to most. Thus, there is access directly without going through the menu "source". Of course, the CDE-123R has an auxiliary input mini-jack in front, to plug the headphone output of any player or stereo equipment. This auxiliary input comes with an innovative feature: Navi Mix. Simply connect the headphone output of a portable navigator on the car radio.
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| When using a PND, the function is very useful Navi Mix |
Thanks to the Navi Mix, the sound of GPS (road location) may be broadcast on the loudspeakers of the car. With an auxiliary input, this is nothing new, except that the Navi Mix function allows to listen to two sources simultaneously. It has a volume control. So when news spread of a road, reading the source lowers the tone to allow the spread of the indication of the browser. Where the statement is completed, the source continues to play its normal volume. And telephony? No problem, the CRC-123R can receive the optional KCE-250BT Bluetooth module. Thus, the radio can use all the sources nomads. However, Alpine has not forgotten the fans patties silver.
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| The CD player uses a four-bit converter 1 as usual at Alpine |
This unit is of course with a good quality player. Nothing revolutionary, he repeats the familiar technologies of Alpine, but his qualities are well known. Given that the unit offers excellent compatibility with mobile carriers, the CD player only supports MP3 files. For those wishing to make a hi-fi with the CRC-123R, Alpine has installed 3 line outputs for power amps and a processor Bass Engine Plus (3-band parametric equalizer, crossover, DSP with 10 settings). The integrated amplifier 4x50 Watts develops, but if you want to install a more powerful without complicating their lives, the CRC-123R is compatible with Alpine amp plug and play "KTP-445.
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| The iPod can be controlled by radio or by the passenger at the touch of the Apple music player |
Finally, this unit has an RDS tuner with Radio Text and 18 memories for FM. Of course, the CRC-123R is compatible with the original steering wheel controls, via an optional interface. Protection is provided by a detachable faceplate with integral carrying case. Apart from the lack of Bluetooth as standard, this combined Alpine is fairly complete.
Discover and use: a function Navi Mix very convenient!
In use, the CRC-123R is very convenient. Only settings "setup" may require reading the manual. For daily use, this handset is simple and intuitive. The button "favorite" is nice to go directly to the source that is used most. To search supports MP3, rotary control with central validation is most useful. On ergonomics, we would have liked a slightly larger display, and especially multiple lines of text (this will facilitate research in the playlists). Tested with different media, USB ports walk tremendously well and only put a few seconds to load the data. Then we can in the directories as an iPod, with a display of titles and everything. Having two USB ports allows two sources without having to unplug. If at first it may look like a gimmick, it's actually very valuable to use!
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| The CRC-123R can control two USB sources simultaneously |
Become a classic in Alpine, the iPod control poses no worries. Playlists are managed exactly like the Apple player. If the passenger wishes to change the music by visiting the content quickly, it can be done from the iPod and then distribute the music on the installation. When using a mobile browser, Navi Mix function has proved invaluable. Usually it or listening to music not loud to hear the PND, or we play hard but we can not hear an instruction of the browser. With this feature, you can have fun with his favorite music, and do not miss the GPS instruction. Really handy! Now to other news: the Nokia control. Perfect, it works like the iPod or USB media. Surprise, we wanted to test our Smartphone HTC Windows Mobile, and it works well. Displaying tracks, playlist management, it can play music from their smartphone without worry.
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| Bass Engine Plus processor is used to set the acoustics of the car |
To the traditional functions, RDS tuner, CD player, integrated amplifier, it is familiar ground. This works very well, and it enjoys a good musical timbres with live and realistic. This is not a player audiophile per se, but it will satisfy a large majority. The dynamics of the integrated amplifier is satisfactory, but we prefer to use the line outputs with power amp. The DSP is fairly simplistic compared to the DSP Alpine audiophile, but it allows for adjustments effective and relatively simple to configure for the general public. Overall, a good product without worry!
The notice
Located at 179 Euros, the least we can say is that the CRC-123R gives value for money. It gives pride to connectivity with mobile sources to meet current demand, but it does not neglect those who love to listen to conventional CDs. The two things that you appreciate the most about this unit are its two USB ports and function Navi Mix. Listen to show his music loud enough without losing the instructions of a portable navigator is a very big plus in terms of functionality and comfort. A good point also affects the "favorite" who directly launched the most used source.
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| Pleasant surprise, the CRC-123R also checked our Smartphone HTC Windows |
Whether it is a USB cradle, a Nokia phone or an iPod / iPhone, mobile source controls work very well and delivers good sound quality. But remember that quality still depends on the quality of the files that you put in the sources nomads. Critical issue, there really is no serious mention. The Bluetooth standard and a display multiple lines of text would have been welcome, but much less than 200 Euros, the CRC-123R is already very generous. This is not the car that will choose the audiophiles in the Alpine range, but for the general public seeking a high performance, accessible and open, it is an excellent choice!
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