I have been looking around for a good quality mp3/wma cdplayer for my car for a while now,and I have finally decided on the Alpine CDA-9811 Seen here: http://www.carreview.com/CD,Receiver...7_2861crx.aspx

Anyway, I read some reviews on it and found out that it doesn't have a built in equalizer (something I was used to on my old pioneer dehp7000r). So... I was wandering if I could correct the problem by purchasing a cheap external equalizer to balance out the sound when it gets here. My main question is this: Why are external equalizers amplified??? I don't want to pay any more than $30 including shipping for it, and most or all that I have seen are amplified and expensive. Is their such a thing as a equalizer that doesn't need to be amplifed? I just want to be able to adjust the sound quality of the output...not override the built in amp in the deck. Also, does it really matter which brand of equalizer that I use? I don't want to spend any more than I absolutely have to. I really have no idea how they work, I really just never cared to own one until now.

And if it helps...this is my stereo setup:
1997 Camaro
Alpine CDA 9811 (on the way)
Infinity Kappa 6-3/4 front doors (factory location)
the rest of the speakers are completely stock (the lowrange behind the front seats and the speakers in the trunk area are all stock). The setup sounded good enough for me with the Pioneer dehp7000r...So I am hoping that the sound will only go up w/ the alpine alone, or the alpine with a cheap external equalizer. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

Not all EQ's are amplified. There are two types to choose from. One is the power booster type that ARE amplified. These have speaker level inputs. Then there are the active types that do not have amplification. These are used with line level (RCA) signals and outboard power amplifiers. If you aren't using an outboard power amp then I would recommend getting a different HU that has a built in EQ.

 

and $30 for an eq is cheap.. you're better off to just use the internal MX feature of the Alpine HU's.. that's a fairly basic version of the "eq" you're used to.

I ran a $500 Alpine EQ for a while.. and will be running an AudioControl EQ soon.. but they are both high-quality units and will DEFENETLY cost more than $30...

You're typical $30 EQ will most likely hurt your sound system more than help it.