AUX input alternative

**tom2112** · 12-07-2003, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by Dan Marsh

I am located in Seattle (where the FM band is virtually full) and have had nothing but one bad experience after another with the two Soundfeeder units I have tried. Both experienced severe drift, on the order of minutes, and adjusting them with the little wheel was a pain in the ***. On top of that, the signal was soooo week that the slightest shift in orientation would cause static, distortion, etc. I went and bought a PLL (Phase Locked Loop) unit at Compusa called an irock (www.myirock.com) and thusfar really like it. It is powered by two AAA batteries or an included cigarette lighter adapter. You can select from one of four frequencies using a little switch on the side and because of the PLL design, you never have to readjust it. I have received good quality audio from this device, despite having two strong stations on adjacent channels. I am very impressed with this $30 device.

I wish I has seen this earlier. Oh well. I have a Sony CDX-MP30 head unit with no AUX ins. So I just ebay-ed a brand new Sony XA-300, normally $100-130, but found on ebay for $41. You Sony users out there, just search for XA-300, and you'll find a whole slew of them.

**[H]Bugster** · 12-08-2003, 04:23 AM

Originally Posted by tom2112

I wish I has seen this earlier. Oh well. I have a Sony CDX-MP30 head unit with no AUX ins. So I just ebay-ed a brand new Sony XA-300, normally $100-130, but found on ebay for $41. You Sony users out there, just search for XA-300, and you'll find a whole slew of them.

How exactly does this work? Does it only work with Sony head units...or will it work with other? I have a stock ford head unit with no aux in, will this work?

**deadweasel** · 12-08-2003, 04:30 AM

Originally Posted by [H]Bugster

How exactly does this work? Does it only work with Sony head units...or will it work with other? I have a stock ford head unit with no aux in, will this work?

It's an FM modulator, meaning that it broadcasts the audio from your source (the PC or a DiscMan) to an unused FM station on your radio. It will work for ANY head unit that has an FM tuner built in!

**[H]Bugster** · 12-08-2003, 04:32 AM

Originally Posted by deadweasel

It's an FM modulator, meaning that it broadcasts the audio from your source (the PC or a DiscMan) to an unused FM station on your radio. It will work for ANY head unit that has an FM tuner built in!

are you talking about the iRock! ? Or the sony xa-300? Cause i was asking about how the xa-300 works?

**deadweasel** · 12-08-2003, 04:35 AM

Originally Posted by [H]Bugster

are you talking about the iRock! ? Or the sony xa-300? Cause i was asking about how the xa-300 works?

Whoops. Sorry! Must've read the question wrong. I'm searching for that Sony myself, since my current X-Plod has that blasted Unilink thing that keeps me from using the AUX without spending $100+ on a CD-changer faker.

Edit: ... which is exactly what that thing is that they are talking about... *sigh*

No, that isn't likely to work with a Ford system, thanks to that Unilink crap that is Sony's proprietary communication language..

Gah...

**tom2112** · 12-08-2003, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by [H]Bugster

are you talking about the iRock! ? Or the sony xa-300? Cause i was asking about how the xa-300 works?

Bugster: Sorry, Dude. The Sony XA-300 is only for Sony head units. Sony uses a proprietary connector to link their CD changers and heads, and on their cheaper heads, there's no AUX ins. So using the XA-300, you can add more than one CD changer and it gives AUX ins. It also has a USB port, but I don't know what the heck that's for.

Weasel: the guy I bought my XA-300 off of had several up for auction, and also sells them on his website. Most on ebay were brand new, in box. One was not. The ones that I saw went for $30-50. The ones on his site sell for $70+, which is still better than $100+ at Crutchfield. The ebay seller was buyessex and their website is www buyessex com.

**deadweasel** · 12-08-2003, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by tom2112

Weasel: the guy I bought my XA-300 off of had several up for auction, and also sells them on his website. Most on ebay were brand new, in box. One was not. The ones that I saw went for $30-50. The ones on his site sell for $70+, which is still better than $100+ at Crutchfield. The ebay seller was buyessex and their website is www buyessex com.

Dude! Thanks for the info! If I can get one that affordably, then heck, I don't need to worry about replacing the head unit...