just after informed opinions here really as sound quality is quite subjective;

how bad is the clarion unit? and how much should i spend on a replacement unit to make it a worthwile noticeable improvement?

cheers

I got an Alpine Unit about a year ago and quite happy with it - the radio reception is still quite poor but then thats not the head units fault.

I also only really got a replacement for the Clarion because the power button had fallen off and the Alpine was a gift

The Clarion is quite poor and Old now. Most £200+ HU's will sound better, a lot better.

Alpine have a very good reputation as do Blaupunt and a few others.

alpine all the way

as above alpine have always made the best head units

i just bought an amp, but i didnt check if the clarion has a preout ? tell me it does...

it does, front and rear

great thanks mate, i can then run a sub from the amp too if i wanted?

You could indeed, but you would lose the front rear fader function, which is no great loss and i never use it.

i dont even use the rear speakers they sound so bad.

Well if you took of the rear panel you would see why Terrible units and attached to the panel and not the car body