Hi,

I have been trying to connect my iPod to my Sony Car Stereo, with no luck.

I have tried using a Sony cassette adapter from the headphones socket on the iPod, but that doesn't work. Apparently, my all-too-clever stereo has an anti-roll feature, which results in these cassette adapters being spat out after 3 seconds of play.

I have also tried plugging the iPod into the back of the Stereo, from the headphones socket on the iPod to the auxillary ports on the stereo. This doesn't work either. Turns out that these ports use a special Sony-BUS Source Selector protocol which the iPod does not support.

I know I can buy a Sony XA-300 adapter, which costs ?125 and requires the dash to be removed to install. I don't want to resort to this costly solution, though.

Does anyone have any experience with connecting an iPod (or any non-Sony portable, for that matter) to a Sony Stereo with these constraints?

The easy way out would be getting an iTrip or other similar FM transmitter. Check out the Gear Guide for some good options. An FM transmitter will set you back from $35-$50, with possibility of interference.

Also, you could get the XA-300 Auxiliary Input Adapter from Crutchfield. It's $99 USD and sure, you need to do some installation, but it saves on messy wires and hassle down the line. With that particular Sony model you can even retain control of your CD Changer for uninterrupted musical nirvana.

Cheers

I've been having the same problem with my head unit. I have a Sony CDX-CA730X (no tape deck). I tried hooking my 3.5mm headphone jack to red/white RCA cable into the back of the stereo and nothing happens!!

Is the XA-300 (or similar bus selectors) proven to work with the iPod?? Would there be any loss in sound quality?

I don't want to use the FM transmitter as I don't want loss in sound.

An iTrip does seem the best solution here, check out the 'Gear' section of the site.

From your use of ? I'm guessing you're in the UK where iTrips are actually illegal! (Stupid rule to stop pirate radio stations) But you could still order one from the US or find one on ebay.co.uk.

I'd go with the iTrip myself, there are also solutions for 'holding' your 'Pod in the car. Have a look in the 'In-Car Solutions' forums.

Jim

You might be able to modify the cassette adapter so it doesn't get ejected. What (I think) is happening is that only one of the wheels of the cassete is turning, so the cassette deck thinks the tape has reached the end and stopped. If you open the adapter up and connect the two wheels (maybe wrap a rubber band around them) they should both turn.

Just a though, might be worth a try if the alternative is spending ?125.

Sony car stereos cannot use any normal tape adaptor. You have to buy a special one from sony themselves which works with your deck.

They cost about ?25ish.

Guys in sony shop told me, have a word with them.

Quote: Originally posted by gabriel
I've been having the same problem with my head unit. I have a Sony CDX-CA730X (no tape deck). I tried hooking my 3.5mm headphone jack to red/white RCA cable into the back of the stereo and nothing happens!!

Is the XA-300 (or similar bus selectors) proven to work with the iPod?? Would there be any loss in sound quality?

I don't want to use the FM transmitter as I don't want loss in sound.

Yes, the XA-300 works well with the iPod. I was using one with my Sony single CD unit, right up to the point where the faceplate for the head unit was stolen .

I replaced the head unit with a better Sony one that has a proper line in on the back (no adapter unit required). This also works really well.

The line in is the best sound quality available, although more hassle to install than just using an FM transmitter. Worth the effort IMHO though . You would still need something like the Belkin adapter (recommended), or a spare dock to tap into the line out on the iPod though.

Shame you live so far away, I currently have a virtually unused Sony XA-300 that is now surplus to requirements and is looking for a good home......

Good luck with whatever you go with.

Cheers,

Chris

I have a sony MP40 and I have the same problem. If you plug the ipod into the back it wont work. The only solution is the AC300 (look for great deals on Ebay...I got mine for $50) it works great!

Is there not a simpler cable with just RCA jacks? RCAinputs and Blitzsafe say nothing is available for my Sony CDX-C780.

Greg

Quote: Originally posted by gallen1119
Is there not a simpler cable with just RCA jacks? RCAinputs and Blitzsafe say nothing is available for my Sony CDX-C780.

Greg

Afraid not, the RCA inputs on the back are ignored without the correct signal from the CD changer socket on nearly all Sony decks - hence the need for the XA-300 AUXIN unit.

Cheers,

Chris

If you really want to go all out Dension ice-Link has one for Sony stereos, but it is $199, ouch! All that just to be able to switch songs from the head, I am not paying that much for just that.

Yea, I'll buy a new head unit before I fork out that kind of $$. Hum...maybe this would be a good opportunity to tell the boss (read 'wife') that I need to do some car stereo updating?!

Greg