Sony DSXS200X digital media receiver with iPod Direct Control via USB Review

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(More customer reviews)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.


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The DSX-S200X Digital Media Receiver by Sony features a USB Tune Tray that connects and stores your iPod behind the sleek flip-down faceplate, eliminating visible wires. A second front USB input allows you to connect additional devices4. Plus, the DSX-S200X boasts innovative audio technology features like Advanced Sound Engine to create the ideal in-car sound experience.

Dynamic Sound
Flip-down Face with Front USB Input The large 4-line OEL display makes it easy to read song information and the front USB 1-wire input lets you connect, control and charge your iPod, iPhone, Walkman player or other compatible USB device.

Integrated Tune Tray The Tune Tray compartment lets you easily connect, control and charge your iPod, Walkman player or other compatible music devices via the USB 1-Wire input. Your player is secured inside, eliminating unsightly and distracting wires.

Dual USB 1-Wires Inputs Features dual USB 1-Wire inputs for iPod, Walkman player and other compatible music devices. Directly connect, charge, and control your compatible digital music player via the USB jack in internally and in the front of unit.

Intuitive Search Features Use Quick-BrowZer feature to find music by artist, album, genre, song or playlist. Jump Mode allows you to fast forward through a category in 10% increments while the ZAPPIN feature can play a 6, 9, or 30 second intro clip to help you find a specific song.

SensMe Application Music Channels SensMe application can organize your music into playlists that perfectly match your mood, scene and location, making it easier to choose the music that fits the moment.

Advanced Sound Engine The Advanced Sound Engine uses EQ7 equalizer, adjustable LPF/HPF crossovers, Listener Position calibration, DM+ advanced sound restoration, Rear Bass Enhancer, and Dynamic Loudness volume leveler to create an ideal in-car listening environment.

High-Powered Expansion Whether using the internal 52W x 4 high power amplifier for your speakers or the 4 Volt Front, Rear and Sub RCA preamp outputs to feed an external amplifier, you can dial in the output for optimum sound.

Wireless Remote/Illumination The included wireless remote lets you control the basic functions of your DSX-S200X Digital Media Receiver while keeping your eyes on the road. Selectable blue or red key illumination compliments vehicle interior lighting.

Satellite Radio/HD Radio Ready The DSX-S200X integrates seamlessly with Satellite Radio and HD Radio using Sony Bus adaptors so you can receive digital satellite radio or HD Radio broadcasts.

Radio Data System Radio Data System (RDS) feature displays radio broadcast information such as artist, title, and album when listening to compatible AM/FM stations.

What's in the Box
DSX-S200X Digital Media Receiver, RM-X172 Wireless Remote, XA-50IP USB Connector for iPod, Installation Hardware, User's Manual, Installation Manual

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Dual XML8150 Mechless 240 Watt AM/FM/MP3/WMA/AAC Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought mine at wally world for $125 (regular price). I see them as low as $107 on google shopping. Not a lot of places carry them yet.
I have to say I've been VERY surprised at the value of this product after having it now for a couple of weeks. The last few decks I've bought have been these low name brand decks because they are the first (by many years) to introduce innovative features, and at amazing prices! Sometimes they can be built cheaply, have poor sound quality, etc. So I have to admit I set myself up with low expectations of such a unit in case it ends up being junk. But this unit surpassed my expectations by several miles! I'm VERY happy with it.
Feature wise, the XML8150 had exactly what I wanted...
~ Drop the CD drive (a media I haven't used in years).
~ A dock for my iPhone 4 with both audio and charging through the data port.
~ Dock that supports both landscape and vertical.
~ Dock that can be hidden when not in use.
~ Dock that works even with protective covers on the iPhone.
~ Natively work with the iPhone and not display a "this device was not made for iPhone yadda yadda" warning.
~ Can play Pandora, videos, etc from iPhone, not just music.
~ USB thumb drive support.
~ SD card reader.
~ Aux in on the front.
~ Bluetooth phone dialing.
~ Separate line outs for front, rear, and sub.
~ HD Radio ready (need HDM90 unit, about $60 on the web).
~ Rotary volume knob with rubber grip surface (or some other non-slip surface).
~ Good control of audio settings. In addition to basic balance/fader and bass/treble, it has midrange, sub control, and user definable EQ.
The unit also has a connector in the back for some kind of steering wheel control interface, but at the moment I can't find anything to connect to it. It might be for a future, yet to be released, unit. Another feature it has but I don't plan on using is Bluetooth HD audio. This lets it play audio from your iPhone via HD Bluetooth, so the phone can be in your pocket and playing out your stereo. Very cool, but I feel I just won't use it because I would rather dock it where it will charge and I can see the screen. Also, the stereo has a IR wireless remote control, like a TV remote. Lots of stereos now a day's come with these, but I rarely use them, however, they come in handy when you're in the rear seat or trunk while testing/tuning speaker/amp adjustments, or if you want the rear seat passenger to control the stereo.
After installing it and getting into the details of it, I found another feature that I typically only see on much higher end units. Audio settings (bass/mid/treble/EQ/etc) are set per input (radio/iPhone/usb/sd/etc). In addition, it even provides a leveling value per input. So this means you can tweak each input so that they all sound the same. This is a very nice feature. Ever had a stereo where the radio was always way louder/quieter than the CD or iPod? Well you can balance all the inputs on this unit so they all have the same tonal quality and volume levels.
At the moment I have this hooked up in a Lincoln Town Car with deck power running the factory door and rear deck speakers, and the sub line out going to a single 12 inch sub in the trunk. It sounds amazing! I do plan on getting better interior speakers, but until then being able to tweak the midrange and EQ settings to make the factory speakers sound pretty decent is a huge deal.
The iPod/iPhone dock works great. I use an iPhone 4 with a protective case and it's easy to dock and undock the phone one handed. It holds the phone very well, no worry of it falling out. The dock is pretty stable and doesn't shake or move much while driving, I am driving a boat with a very smooth ride, so no experience with a firm ride, but I think it would be fine. The doc can rotate between one of two positions, either vertical or horizontal. It only turns 90 degrees, so phone cannot be upside down and when sideways, the home button is on the left only. The arm that the dock is mounted too can bend to change the angle of the phone to point towards you, however, it cannot be twisted, so the phone will be oriented to the angle the deck is mounted in the dash. All audio, controls and power are through the dock connector, you don't connect anything through the headphone jack. I've had other docks that could not charge the phone very well when doing something CPU intensive like Pandora or GPS, but the XML8150 charges my iPhone no problem no matter what its doing.
One thing to note about iPhone usage is that things like Pandora, GPS, etc still need to be done via the phone's screen/UI. Only the iPod music on the phone is controlled by the decks buttons, so when I play Pandora for example, the screen still shows the name of the song is was playing from my iPod list. Doesn't bother me at all though since I would rather see the album art and what not on the iPhone screen.
The dock can be collapsed and folded in behind the faceplate. Its quick and easy to do with one hand. Only thing that kind of sucks is that you have to slide the support arm (the holds the top of the iPhone/iPod) down to fold it in, which means, that when you fold it back out, you have to reposition the arm again. Not a big deal, but does mean that I end up folding it in a lot less. Again not a big deal for me because I almost always dock my phone while driving and don't care about the dock hanging out when not using it, but if you're expecting to fold up the dock a lot, this could be annoying.
The build quality of the unit is very solid. The entire dock arm, faceplate mechanism, the buttons, etc are all very solid, fit together tightly and have a smooth surface. The controls are easy to navigate. The volume control is rotary with a very slight indexed feel as you rotate it. It also has a rubber edge so it's easy to grip and turn, even with the side of your finger, so many rotary knobs on decks are slick and can be hard for me to turn at time.
So all this goodness for only $125, why the 4 star? It's for the Bluetooth phone support. It comes with a mic (that mounts to your visor) but I have to hold the mic right up to my mouth or yell before the other person can hear me. Its unusable like this. I cannot find a way to adjust the volume. I've sent a mail to Dual asking about it. If they resolve it, I'll update the review to 5 star easy. Other than the mic, the Bluetooth dialing works great. It was dead easy to pair my phone and when someone calls, the deck lowers the music volume, plays my ringtone out my car speakers and I just click the green phone button on the faceplate and start talking to the person. Their voice comes out the cars speakers and very easy to hear them. If they don't have a solution, I may try other mics and update this review if I find something that works.
So in short, this is way worth the $125, by far. It's a solid unit (minus the poor Bluetooth mic), sounds great, and feature wise does everything I want in my modern iPhone/SD/USB music world. I would recommend this (and have) without hesitation.
UPDATE 3/21/2011
At first I didn't think I would use the Bluetooth HD streaming audio feature, but after having this unit for several weeks, I found myself using this feature quite a lot. It works great. I use it for short trips like to the store as I don't even have to take my phone out of my pocket. Just hope in the car, select bluetooth audio and hit play and whatever was the last audio playing on my phone starts up and plays (with phone still in my pocket). Works with Pandora, iPod, and even the SiriusXM app. You have less control though since you can only skip forward/back and play/pause, but for short trips this is nice. For longer trips I plug the phone into the dock.


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