Sony CDX-565MXRF 10-disc Add-on FM CD/MP3 Changer?

[Abaddon]

Crutchfield has this cd changer and they say it'll work with any system because it works via fm radio signals. They have a set of adapters that tie directly into the antenna cable. Has anyone else used this type of setup? Could there be a loss of sound quality? What about interference? It sounds like a good, cheap system to add to the car and the remote will display the mp3 tag info, etc. I'm seriously considering this but would like some opinions.

Abaddon

I also posted this on fbodyaudio.com to see if anyone there has ever done this. I'm looking for ideas without changing out the Monsoon. It works well and I wanna keep it and add a cd changer that plays mp3s. :)

[96firebird311]

Re: Sony CDX-565MXRF 10-disc Add-on FM CD/MP3 Changer?

There will be a slight loss in sound quality as with any FM modulated source.

[Abaddon]

Re: Sony CDX-565MXRF 10-disc Add-on FM CD/MP3 Changer?

There will be a slight loss in sound quality as with any FM modulated source.

Is it noticeable? I've talked with two friends since I posted this and they both said the sound quality will be great and not noticeable. That's my big question. It's not going to sound like an old 45 vinyl album, is it? :)

[96firebird311]

Re: Sony CDX-565MXRF 10-disc Add-on FM CD/MP3 Changer?

It's not going to sound like an old 45 vinyl album, is it? :)

Hahaha...naugh. I could whistle and it would sound better then a record. Actually, most of the time the difference is small. From my personal experience, I would put them well ahead of cassette tapes in every scenario. The biggest issue people have with FM modulators is that you sometimes get a humming or buzzing sound along with your music. This can usually be fixed by tuning to another channel supported by the modulator that is crystal clear silence, then add in the music. And again from my experience, some FM modulators are better then others. I have friends that can leave it on one channel all the time and it sounds pretty damn good. But one of my friends has to switch between 2 or 3 channels depending on which sounds the clearest at the time.....and actually, I usually still hear it.

If you're only worried about it being horrible sounding, (like a 45 lol) then I'm certain you'll be plenty satisfied with it.:)

[Abaddon]

Re: Sony CDX-565MXRF 10-disc Add-on FM CD/MP3 Changer?

That's the answer I was looking for. My Camaro sits in the garage all week, bored, and I only use it for long road trips. It gets kinda frustrating trying to switch between a ton of discs by hand at 80mph while trying to eat a cheeseburger. This changer just sounds like the perfect answer to that problem without replacing the Monsoon. I've enjoyed the head unit and don't see any reason to replace it at this point. It just looks good in the dash and plays cds.

What I really wanted was a USA Specs or the like that would work off the AUX button but play MP3s. Apparently, either no one makes it or no one has come up with the correct number and type of adapters to use for this process with the MP3 changers. So I'll settle for this. It's the lesser of two evils, I guess. And with skiing season coming up, I need tunes for those 8 hour road trips to the great white north!

Thanks for the advice.

[PalmHarborBlkv6]

Re: Sony CDX-565MXRF 10-disc Add-on FM CD/MP3 Changer?

Look.... You buy one of these adapters:
http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=347
then plug it into the back of the Monsoon. This gives U
a R and L RCA inputs for an iPod Nano and then you have
a selection of hundreds of selections not just 12 CD's and
it is reliable and good sounding.

[Abaddon]

Re: Sony CDX-565MXRF 10-disc Add-on FM CD/MP3 Changer?

I didn't want to have to worry with an iPod. The cool part is with this cd changer and the way it connects, I CAN HAVE BOTH! :D

[Abaddon]

Re: Sony CDX-565MXRF 10-disc Add-on FM CD/MP3 Changer?

Ok, so I have the unit now. Crutchfield said they'd send some instructions that would be everything I need to connect the cd changer. They lied. It is a copy of everything I already knew.

Does anyone have any ideas on which power lead and accessory lead work the best for this application? I am comfortable with soldering so splicing in won't be a problem. I would like to cut the time down on running the cabling so if anyone has any ideas, it would be appreciated.

Or maybe just a schematic of the Monsoon head unit would be nice.

[96firebird311]

Re: Sony CDX-565MXRF 10-disc Add-on FM CD/MP3 Changer?

I believe you're just looking for the wiring harness diagram for the Monsoon headunit...not the schematic. Check out our entry into the modifications encyclopedia for this.

Second, call crutchfield and have them walk you through every step if need be. They probably have the best customer service of all time. You bought the unit from them... they will have no problem helping you every step of the way.

[PalmHarborBlkv6]

Re: Sony CDX-565MXRF 10-disc Add-on FM CD/MP3 Changer?

I TRULY believe you do not understand that a small ipod can
supply you with over 200 songs which is about 140 more than
the cd changer. CD changers are history. You put yourself in a hole by going ahead anyway. Had you bought the adapter
and the Nano ipod you would be listening to music in 15 minutes and a lower cost. Good luck with this project. I think you are
f___ed with this CD changer if it is not OEM.

[Abaddon]

Re: Sony CDX-565MXRF 10-disc Add-on FM CD/MP3 Changer?

I TRULY believe you do not understand that a small ipod can
supply you with over 200 songs which is about 140 more than
the cd changer. CD changers are history. You put yourself in a hole by going ahead anyway. Had you bought the adapter
and the Nano ipod you would be listening to music in 15 minutes and a lower cost. Good luck with this project. I think you are
f___ed with this CD changer if it is not OEM.

Um, no, being a computer consultant, I understand how an iPod works quite well. If you had read what I wrote earlier you'd understand why the cd change made more sense than an iPod for me. Why did you even bother to post on this thread if this is all you had to offer? You must have eaten paint chips as a kid. :/

[Abaddon]

Re: Sony CDX-565MXRF 10-disc Add-on FM CD/MP3 Changer?

I believe you're just looking for the wiring harness diagram for the Monsoon headunit...not the schematic. Check out our entry into the modifications encyclopedia for this.

Second, call crutchfield and have them walk you through every step if need be. They probably have the best customer service of all time. You bought the unit from them... they will have no problem helping you every step of the way.

http://mods.firebirdv6.com/stereo.html#FBAQ_16
Got it. That should work nicely. Thanks for the heads-up. That may have just saved me a great deal of research.

I may call Crutchfield. I think I can still handle the project. I have a friend that was an custom stereo installer for years and he put a cd changer in his Z28 before he traded it in on a Honda Accord (snicker) so I should still have someone to bounce ideas off of. I'd prefer to just handle it myself, though.

[Abaddon]

Re: Sony CDX-565MXRF 10-disc Add-on FM CD/MP3 Changer?

Wow. This install was a breeze! The hardest part was finding the exact place to attach the cd changer to the car. The small hole on the opposite side of the spare tire was perfect but it had a plastic grating for a floor so I attached it on the metal piece right beside that and checked the t-tops for fit beside it.

The sound quality is amazing. Now I just have to burn the 10 cds of MP3s and I'll be set for my next trip...which will be next weekend to take picture of the leaves. Thanks for the help everyone!