iPod with Sony Car audio

That sounds like just what I need, but I have a couple of questions. I currently have a relatively new Sony CD player that can control a CD-changer, so do you think this product will work with it? Also, how easy is it to install and where do you have it placed in your car? I'd rather not have cables sticking out all over the place. Thanks

lovemyipod - I am just about to install a similar setup in my car (glad to hear the sound quality is up to scratch :) )

I have the XA-300 on order, but just wanted to know did it come with the unilink cable to connect to the head unit? Also from what I have found from Google the XA-300 does NOT require a seperate power supply - can you confirm this?

I also wondered if you had considered using the new Belkin car adapter to power the iPod in the car (this is what I plan to do). The Belkin adapter uses power from the cigarette lighter and has a single cable that goes to the iPod for power and line out. The adapter itself then has a line out (3.5mm socket) on it.

I want to try and stealth the install in my car by placing the XA-300 behind the centre console and wiring up a second lighter socket behind the dash for the Belkin adapter. This will keep all wires hidden, apart from the single power / line out cable that plugs into the bottom of the iPod.

Only problem I have is getting some info on how to wire up the second lighter socket. I am guessing it can be spliced off the original one - but I need to get some more info on this.

Cheers,

Chris

That is the same setup I have. The changers in the back, the XA-300 is under the head unit (the space is double decker. Ipod mount is in the ash tray. 2000 toyota 4 Runner. Here are pictures:

--rick

Close:

rick that is so cool,

You guys seem to know what you're talking about so I figure I'll ask here because I've been driving myself crazy trying to figure this out.

I too have a Sony Headunit (CDX-M670, with the folddown face). I do not have a Sony CD Changer though, so would it be possible for me to just plug RCA cables into the back and use it as an aux input or do I need to buy that converter? Or do you guys know of any other solutions? I'd like to avoid having to pay $100 if at all possible...

Thanks

BigIzz,

You would need the XA-300 to have the aux input for the iPod. Although you do not have a changer, by hooking up the unilink cable and changer inputs to XA-300, you can have aux input. The sound quality difference makes the difference in price between the FM Transmitters and the XA-300 worth it. And $100 is a lot less than a new head unit of the quality of your Sony.

Thought I'd come back and revisit this thread now that I finally managed to complete the install for my 3rd gen Ipod in my car.

The sound quality is excellent through the Sony head unit and XA-300, and I no longer have to carry a shedload of CD's around with me :) .

I ended up modifying the plastic "cubby-hole" in my centre console to fit an extra 12V accessory socket. The Belkin adapter then plugs into this and is concealed by a hinged door on the front of the cubby. I have a quick release mount from http://www.theclip.com which goes in the glove box when not in use.

The whole setup is fairly "stealth" when the iPod is not in use, so shouldn't attract too much attention. The backlit buttons on the 3G iPods are a real winner when using it in the car at night.

All in all, very pleased with the setup....

iPod not in use:
http://www.chrisburnett.nildram.co.uk/ipod_mx5/no-ipod.jpg

Opening adapter compartment:
http://www.chrisburnett.nildram.co.uk/ipod_mx5/belkin-install-door-open.jpg

Belkin connector and ipod mounting cradle:
http://www.chrisburnett.nildram.co.uk/ipod_mx5/ipod-belkin-mount.jpg

And we're off....:
http://www.chrisburnett.nildram.co.uk/ipod_mx5/ipod-in-action.jpg

Cheers,

Chris

Originally posted by Scott Williams
what are you all doing get this going to be a hell of alot better then that sony adapter thing

http://icelink.densionusa.com/

Well, I'm willing to be proved wrong on this, but I suspect they won't be releasing a Sony Unilink version anytime soon. The site just pops up a generic message saying coming soon with no specifics.

There has been a whole group of folks, (sorry - forget the link), that have been trying to reverse engineer the Unilink protocol used by Sony. To date its a major DIY job involving microprocessor programming to get something setup. I think the company in the link above will be releasing for many other head unit brands, but my guess is not Sony...

In case anyone is in the UK and wants a hardly used discount XA-300... I might have one for sale. Shortly after I posted this some lowlife burgled my house and stole my head unit face plate.

Net result is its cheaper to just buy a new head unit. Even the Sony one I am considering from their current range now has an AUXIN out of the box.

C'est la Vie I guess :( . At least my current install will just hook up to whatever I put in, and I can probably free up some space by dirching the XA-300.

Cheers,

Chris

Originally posted by Scott Williams
i e-mailed them while ago and said whats the deal with the sony version and they said its coming with all the others in november... who knows should be good..

how much you selling that XA-300 for im in the UK Gatwick area

I hope they do come out with a working AUXIN link that undercuts Sony significantly - might make Sony see the light and stop them trying to rob their customers blind :rolleyes:

Having said that, I am seriously considering a CDX-CA900 for about 170GBP inc VAT. This has AUXIN on the back out of the box. See it here:

http://www.incarexpress.co.uk/focus.php3?partno=CDXCA900

Is it just me or do 90% of the CD tuner head units just look sh*te? Sony's offerings (apart from the one above), just look like they eminated from CheeeezzWorld - lots of gawdy silver plastic and dodgy looking graphics..... Alpine and Pioneer are not much better.

Just looking at my receipts for the XA-300, and I paid about 90GBP for it back in June. Its got about 7 months warranty left on it. I don't have the box but have all the manuals and cables etc.

I live in SE London so not far away - i'm open to reasonable offers bearing in mind its been hardly used :). Drop me a mail if you are interested in taking it further. I need all the contributions I can get towards the replacement head unit :rolleyes:

Cheers,

Chris

As I say just email me if you wanna take the XA-300 thing any further.

Didn't realise the Icelink was going to be that much :( . Only other downside I can see to it is that remote control of the iPod requires an extra cable going into the top of the iPod as well as the charging cable into the bottom. I prefer the neater solution of the Belkin single connector for charging and line out personally.

A lot depends on the improvement in sound quality you get with the Belkin amp in the chain I guess. My car listening environment is pretty noisy anyway (softtop), so I doubt I would notice the improvement. Also the way I have mounted my iPod means its easier to use the controls on the iPod than use those on the head unit - I don't have steering wheel mounted controls though, maybe that would be an argument in favour of the icelink if you did?

Do you still need a groundloop eliminator in the icelink setup I wonder, or does it have one built in?

I'm still going with the head unit with built in AUXIN I think - simplifies things greatly.

Cheers,

Chris