- AM/FM radio, MP3/WMA/AAC, USB, iPod receiver with Tune Tray for concealing media players
- 4 x 52 watts maximum power with 4V front, rear, and subwoofer preamp outputs
- Four-line white OEL DOT matrix display shows source, artist, track, playback time, menu, and clock
- Includes front-panel USB port, iPod control; SAT-/HD-radio-ready
- Selectable blue or red key illumination; one-year limited warranty
The iPod that I used testing this receiver was the newest generation iPod Classic 160gb.
---UPDATE---
What is the difference between the s200x and s300BTX? Nothing in appearance, or sound. They are the exact same thing except the s300BTX has bluetooth, that is it.
---UPDATE---
Here is my situation (this may similar to yours):
I wanted a new car stereo that:
1.
----Controlled the iPod while bypassing the internal iPod DAC---(Digital Audio Converter)
which, in newer models (basically everything past the iPod Video 5.5g), has an inferior Cirrus chip (much discussed about with loss of quality outputting your media sound files). The s200x has a 24-bit DAC that outputs a life like sound quality (testing with ALAC--apple lossless) that just does this. More on this point: if you want your car stereo to bypass iPod's DAC (a must for any audiophile, or for the absolute best sound quality), then you will have to control the iPod through the stereo itself. Moreover, if you want to use your iPod/iPhone as a controller, you can just insert the USB sync cable into the front of the Sony. However, if you use the latter method, you will no longer be using the DAC bypass, resulting in lower quality audio from the DAC of the iPod/iPhone.
2. Almost as important as #1, and directly ties into above:
----A fairly intuitive navigation of the iPod through the receiver----.
The s200x loads up almost instantaneous (possibly 1 or 2 seconds), and changes tracks even quicker. Actually, it feels quicker using this receiver than it does using the iPod itself. Moreover, you can control everything, and I mean everything, from the remote. This helps because the dial in the middle of this unit is hard to press, and harder to press correctly (meaning, in the absolute middle). It navigates just like the iPod does through its own program. You can also search by Letter, so that you can limit tedious scrolling.
3. Again, as important as the above two:
----The ability to see the display in daylight----
Although sunlight directly on this device does saturate the brightness a bit, it does not enough so that you cannot read the display. More succinctly: when exposed to direct light, the whites are not as white and the blacks are not as deep, however the most important aspect still retains: The Display is readable in daylight.
4.
----Having a fairly sophisticated EQ. ----
Much to the chagrin of Alpine's x305s, this device lets you fine tune your sound environment within your car, without buying two hundred dollars worth of extra equipment, while not being inferior in sound. Yes, the Alpine has the Burr-Brown (name brand) DAC. Will you tell the difference if your sound files are converted, ripped, or compressed well? No.
So while you get nothing from Alpine without extra money when wanting to tailor your sound, the s200x from Sony will let you adjust Time Delay from your speakers (adjusted for the distance you are away from each speaker), the full spectrum of frequencies (low, mid, high), and your speaker's ability to either act as a subwoofer, or not (have 6x9's in your back seat but no independent sub? The s200x will let you turn those speakers into a sub, and a sub only).
5. And finally, not as important, but still a constituent with the s200x:
----Price----
Needless to say, you cannot go wrong with the features, and quality, of the s200x for well under 200$. Alpine's color display? Not much more than a low resolution LCD screen (the navigation and presentation of the s200x is much more fluid and appropriate).
What is more is that the 'iPod Tray' that I am sure you have read about, is a must, and a new standard. It is as ingenious as it is innovative. In light of the plethora of hanging 'USB' cables plaguing many a car, the Sony is like going completely wireless.
Oh, if you have not already figured it out by now this DOES NOT comes with a CD player. Hence the 'Digital Media Receiver' title. However, with the iPod tray, your Media Player takes it seat appropriately where a CD player would have went. Needless to say, you have never had a CD player that could play, or have access to, in less than a second, 20,000 lossless quality music files.
As I was looking around at every available receiver on the market, each one had a downside. Alpine did not offer anything to adjust the sound (except if you...ya know), Kenwood's controls were awful (which was the receiver I was replacing), and Pioneer did not offer a 24bit DAC and/or navigation was sluggish. With all of those features lacking in every other device, I, in a moment of serendipity, happened to discover the s200x.
What will your receive with the Sony S200x? Exactly what you want, and nothing less.
Buy Sony DSXS200X Digital Media Receiver with iPod Direct Control via USB Now
Just got this unit installed, replacing a JVC KD-HDR1 receiver in my '03 Sentra. I have stock speakers and subwoofer as well as an additional amp and set of subs connected to the sub out of the unit. Here are my initial impressions:
Beep sound is very loud, and there doesn't appear to be a volume control for it. At least there's an option to turn it off, which is what I had to do. I'd like to have some audio feedback, but if it has to be that loud then I don't need it.
I hear static from my speakers, whether it's playing from an FM station or my iPhone. I would have at least expected the iPhone to be virtually static-free, but the amp in this unit seems to be rather noisy. On certain FM stations I also hear pops and clicks through my tweeters which are mostly noticable when the unit volume is very low. At this point they are much louder than the music itself. I thought I might have a bad connection, so I reconnected my JVC unit for a minute (using the same wiring harness) and there was no static or popping and clicking at low volume.
The dimmer signal isn't dimming the display. It worked on my JVC with the same harness, so not sure why it's not working on the Sony. They both appear to use the same pin for the dimmer connection.
You can't leave an iPhone's cell service on when putting it in the unit, unless you want to hear the GSM 'tones' that you hear when you put a GSM cellphone near any stereo receiver's amplifier. The phone has to be in 'airplane mode' in order to not be annoyed by it the whole time. Not a huge deal for me as I have an extra iPod Nano that I'll put in the unit instead, or maybe just get a cheap USB memory stick so if it gets fried I won't care.
There are at least 3 different places in the documentation they warn you not to leave a device in the unit and to disconnect the device before powering the unit back on. This is annoying since I mainly want to just keep a device inside it connected and remove it sometimes to update the songs on it. Seems like in particular they have the most issues with USB drives getting erased since they also mention making sure the data on the USB drive is backed up when using it with this receiver.
Menu system is reasonable, if you can figure out what does what. You HAVE to read the manual to know what some menu options mean, or even how to get to them. Maybe it's more intuitive if you came from a Sony receiver, but at least for me it'a s learning experience.
I'll have to play with browsing a songlist a bit more to get a feel for it. At least one of the modes didn't appear to be populating the list well (I think maybe by Artist mode had a lot of blanks for artists). This could be because not all my music came directly from iTunes and maybe some of the ID3 info isn't filled out.
Overall I'm not quite impressed yet. I'm going to be contacting Sony about the noisy output of the device as well as the dimmer not working.
Read Best Reviews of Sony DSXS200X Digital Media Receiver with iPod Direct Control via USB Here
I'm sure auto car stereo makers are asking, "Why didn't we think of that?" The biggest advantage is not having to plug and unplug a flash drive. Also not having a flash stick sticking out like a sore thumb. In addition, you can leave it inside the unit. That means last position, etc should be saved when you get back in the car. I don't plan on buying a Ipod anytime soon but it's yet another clever option.
It's a bold move to get rid of the standard Cd player but when I thought about how often I've grabbed on of my 500 CDs (which hasn't been very often), it makes sense. It's not that big of a hassle to rip the CD into folder files. I've bee burning CDRWs for the past 10 years and building of a few CD cases of songs under the seat. NO MORE! 45 Mp3 CDs which are 700MB each is equal to 1 32GB flash stick!
The only this I wish it had is built-in HD radio. Why on earth Sony didn't put HD in even the top of the line DSX model is beyond me.
Although the face is detachable, it's not the usual flat face but rather a somewhat big slot in the middle. If a thief knows about these models and what may be in the slot, it defeats the whole idea behind the detachable face concept. Let's hope they aren't that desperate or that smart.
Want Sony DSXS200X Digital Media Receiver with iPod Direct Control via USB Discount?
I bought this sterio for the soul purpose of getting rid of the the CD player and got a whole lot more! I have had this Sony player for 3 months now, and still find new things about it. The quality is what I expected with the Sony Brandhigh. This player blows my old Pioneer deck outta the water. Not only is it easy to use, it makes my speakers sound better than ever. I bought a 16GB USB and dragged all my itunes library over to it. Now I don't have to be paranoid about someone stealing my ipod, only a $30 USB drive. It is so easy to navigate through the songs with the knob dial. Its nice to have it Ipod ready incase I need a quick recharge on my ipod or iphone. Highly recommended. No regrets.
This is a great Sony product. Upgraded a Sony Model CDX F5700 FM/AM Compact Disk Player in my boat. Removed existing unit pluged in the new one and updated the splash guard. Now my 10 Disk Sony CD changer, XM Radio, and Ipod play on one compact unit. This unit does it all, and the tune tray is so clean.
After loosing the phone (samsung 807) which came with my cingular contract, I was on hunt for a cheap, nice phone with not many internet features. Because the guy who stole my phone made huge bill using internet.
