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Sony XA-300

Auxiliary input adapter for UniLink receivers

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  • Sony XA-300

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  • Sony XA-300
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Item# 158XA300 offer details

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Sony

Our take on the Sony XA-300

by Charlie Pastorfield

Need to add an auxiliary input to your Sony changer-controlling receiver? The XA-300 module lets you add auxiliary sources while retaining the use of your Sony CD changer. The XA-300 accepts your UniLink changer cable and a patch cable from your non-UniLink source (cassette, MP3, Minidisc, etc.) and allows your Sony receiver to choose between the two sources.

The XA-300 can choose between two sets of auxiliary RCA inputs. AUX IN 1 is linked to a headphone jack on the unit, allowing private listening to one auxiliary source while the Sony receiver plays a second source. The private listening level can be adjusted by a headphone volume control. An audio signal from a laptop computer can also be connected through the unit's USB port. The XA-300 lets you add a variety of audio devices to your UniLink system, including audio from a DVD player, a video game, or even a satellite radio tuner (antenna and service subscription required) for 100 channels of digital programming nationwide.

Details:
  • two sets of stereo RCA inputs (accepts audio from Sony changer)
  • AUX IN 1 linked to headphone jack (with independent level control) for private listening
  • USB port accepts audio input from a laptop computer
  • 83" UniLink cable (included) and 83" RCA patch cable (included) for connection to your receiver
  • control input accepts UniLink cable from changer
  • control outputs — connects XA-300 to receiver through supplied UniLink cable
  • audio out (provides audio to Sony receiver with supplied RCA cable)
  • 5-15/16"W x 1-3/8"H x 7-1/8"D (with RCA plugs)
  • 1-year warranty
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What’s in the box? | In-depth notes

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What's in the box?

Download owner's manual

  • Sony XA-300 Aux Input Selector; One 83" UniLink cable; One 83" stereo RCA patch cable; 2 Velcro mounting strips; Operating Instructions; Warranty sheet

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Features
Inputs and Outputs

Features

General Overview: The XA-300 Aux-In Selector accepts input from a UniLink CD/MD changer and up to two non-UniLink auxiliary sources (DVD player, video game, portable CD, MD, tape or MP3 player). In addition, the unit has a USB input to connect a laptop computer with a USB port, and it has a headphone output with volume control. The XA-300 is compatible with Sony UniLink changer controller head units, and it requires no external power connections because it receives power directly from a connected head unit. Only one XA-300 can be used with each head unit; one XA-300 cannot be daisey chained with another XA-300 to provide additional auxiliary inputs.

AUX Input Connections: The input for each auxiliary source is a set of female RCA jacks mounted directly to the Aux-In Selector module. A stereo RCA patch cord should be connected to the AUX IN jacks on the module and run to where the auxiliary source will be located. If the aux source has a mini-jack output, a stereo mini-jack to dual male RCA cable will be needed instead of a standard RCA patch cable.

USB Input: The USB input allows you to connect a laptop computer to your car stereo system (USB cable not included) in order to play MP3 files or other audio from the computer. The computer must have a compatible operating system in order to work. It must be running Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows ME, Windows 2000, or Mac OS 8.6 or later. (Sony recommends Windows 2000 or Mac OS 9.0 or later)

Selecting The Auxiliary Device: On the Sony changer controller head unit, press "SOURCE" repeatedly until "CD" is selected. Press "MODE" repeatedly until the device you want to listen to is selected. The head unit will cycle through each unit in the following order: CD1 (CD/MD changer) > CD2/AUX1 > CD3/AUX2 > CD4/USB. When CD1 is selected, the CD/MD changer will automatically start playing. When any other source is selected, playback of that unit will have to be manually started and the volume adjusted. As the volume settings of each connected device may differ, the volume of each device should be set to a similar level as the CD/MD changer.

Headphone Output: A stereo mini-plug headphone output with volume control is provided for the private listening of the auxiliary source connected to the AUX IN 1 input. The headphone output is always on, even if the head unit has selected one of the other sources. This allows a passenger to listen to the AUX IN 1 source while the head unit plays another source. (Headphone listening is not recommended while operating the vehicle)

Inputs and Outputs

Front of Unit:

  • Headphone Output: stereo mini-plug jack with volume control (for private listening of unit connected to Aux Input 1)
  • Aux Input 1: stereo RCA input (to connect a portable unit)
  • Aux Input 2: stereo RCA input (to connect a portable unit)
  • USB Input: for connecting laptop computer with USB Port

Rear of Unit:

  • Output: UniLink output and stereo RCA output (to Sony changer controller head unit)
  • Input: UniLink input and stereo RCA input (to connect UniLink CD/MD changer)
 
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5 out of 5

Works great!

Written By RMT, Florida on Saturday, October 08, 2011
Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
 
Works with my old Sony mobile ES series receiver and has allowed me to use an iPod where I had a Mini-Disc changer before. Sounds great, works perfectly.
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4 out of 5

Can't do without it

Written By Jay Forbes, Cape Coral, FL on Sunday, May 10, 2009
Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
 
The older Sony CD player/control head in my boat will not allow anything
else to be hooked up to the AUX input if you hook up a CD changer unless
you use one of these boxes. The XA-300 allows me to connect and control
my CD/MD changer as well as any other inputs with RCA connectors. I
connected a Sony Bluetooth transmitter/receiver and a satellite radio
receiver. The drawback is that I cannot control the Kenwood satellite radio
from the Sony control head, but I can still change streams using the hand-
held remote. I had to make my own mounting brackets because the XA-
300 only comes with Velcro mounting material (which is not good enough
for a boat). Crutchfield tech support helped me get the whole thing
working - I needed some help figuring out how to change inputs on the
Sony control head. It all works perfectly now and I am delighted to have
both a CD changer and satellite radio.
Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
 
5 out of 5

WILL WORK WITH OLD CDX C90 ES!!!!

Written By Christian, Sanford, Fl(near orl.) on Friday, April 11, 2008
Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
 
I still have the old cdx c90(sounds amazing to this day) However, I
purchased the double-din xav-w1(Great unit as well, crystal clear dvd in
day or night, lots of sound, eq adjustments and configurations to your
hearts content, but I am still SPOILED by the AMAZING sound quality of the
cdx c90!!! So, I thought what if I install both units in my audi-( c90 for tuner
and cd, the xav-w1 for dvd only....... the problem was getting the sound to
come thru the cdx c90 while the dvd would play- Everyone doubted it could
be done; remember the c90 has all the front, rear and sub rcas going to
the amps- no rcas to the xav-w1, well now there is one from the front out
to the xa-300 rca input; all i do is simply hit mode while in cd, and the cdx-
c90 recoignizes separate aux inputs thru its bus audio in and rca bus audio
(aux) input!!!! I AM SOOO PLEASED THAT IM ABLE TO ENJOY BOTH NOW!!!!
As long as your sony h/u has a bus audio in and an extra rca input, THIS
WILL WORK; well worth the money to have the additional inputs, and usb
to boot!!! This is easy to install, probably only minutes, however i had to
install my cdx c90 and xa 300 in my glove box , so it was 2 hours for me!!!
Staff was great at crutchfield-WELL WORTH $99 plus shipping, youll be glad
you added it-( ps, i suggest getting a great pair of rcas to run for it, the
sony generic ones WILL pick up interference-
3 out of 3 people found this helpful
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4 out of 5

Easy Peasy

Written By shelby, Tucson, AZ on Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
 
If you want to play your Ipod on your older Sony deck, this beats FM systems hands down. Installation took about 5 minutes, set up was a breeze, even though Sony's instructions are a little on the vague side.
2 out of 2 people found this helpful
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5 out of 5

Sony XA-300

Written By Gene, Richmond, VA on Monday, January 29, 2007
Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
 
This is an excellent product for older Sony receivers. I added this to my MP40 which I purchased from Crutchfield sometime ago. I am using the XA300 to connect my PDA. Now I have music and GPS prompts coming through the speakers. Excellent product. If it just gave me one port I would rate it lower, but 2, USB, and I can still add a cd changer. Crutchfield as always is the best in the business.
3 out of 3 people found this helpful
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4 out of 5

Works as designed

Written By Joel, Portland, OR on Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
 
Well, there's not much to say about this box... it provides an easy way to connect 2 more audio sources (plus a PC, although I suspect few people actually do that) to any Unilink-compatible Sony head unit. A couple of notes:

1) The inputs are not transformer (AC) coupled, so there's a potential for lots of ground loop noise if you connect something like a cheap CD player powered off a 12V cigarette lighter adapter to one of the aux inputs (whether or not this happens depends on how well grounded the various parts of your car are, how well the power supply in the CD player was designed, etc. -- but suffice to say, ground loop noise is a fairly common problem in car audio installations). You can purchase such transformer isolators at Crutchfield but it would have been nice if Sony had built this in.

2) The USB connection is only powered up when that particular input is selected; this causes PC to see the USB "sound card" that is the XA300 be "plugged" and "unplugged" when changing inputs.

I suppose the price is a little high for what you get, but consider that JVC changes 40% as much for a single input adapter; hence it's not entirely out of line -- especially if you can use more than one input. (I use one input for a Sirius satellite radio and a 2nd input for an MP3 player.)
6 out of 6 people found this helpful
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3 out of 5

Sony XA-300

Written By Steve, CA on Saturday, September 03, 2005
 
Pretty pathetic that you have to spend $100 just to be able to use the aux inputs that are already on your headunit. Way to go Sony. Put inputs there then disable them for all but your own changers.

It does seem to be the only solution so if you want to hook up your ipod or other device to the aux inputs you got to bite the $100 bullet
22 out of 33 people found this helpful
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5 out of 5

Great Product

Written By Sapp, New Orleans, La on Friday, August 19, 2005
 
This is a great product. I needed an AUX input to play my DVD player through my car speakers. I refused to get rid of the Sony CD Players (CDX-MP40)I have which is a very nice MP3 player. It's a very nice investment if your sony player has the CD Changer hook up and you're looking to add on different inputs. And you still have the ability to hook up your CD Changer. For only $100, you will be glad to have invested in such a great add on. Also you should take a look at the wireless remote (RM-X4S).
9 out of 10 people found this helpful
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5 out of 5

notebook connection for DVD's

Written By Ronald, lower alabama on Saturday, March 19, 2005
 
successful in connecting it like an aux cd player to the XDP-210 signal processor for a Sony ES CDX-C90. ( out of date to most people but not to me ). Using it mostly now to connect my iBook to play DVD music video's... Works great on aux 1 and 2 , also USB (this has the best sound) Mac system OS 10.3.8 ...Helpful information...go to the mac sound control panel and select USB output for the sound or it will not play through the USB.
23 out of 28 people found this helpful
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5 out of 5

Simple, great solution

Written By Alan, Bluegrass Country on Monday, March 07, 2005
 
This allows me to not only use my Sony receiver to control my CD changers but also to have additional inputs to use for my satellite radio and MP3 player. If that's not enough, I hook up my laptop audio and watch movies via my laptop with the audio coming through the stereo.
Well worth it!
105 out of 135 people found this helpful
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Rated 5-stars by consumers

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