Sony CDX-CA700X

Price Paid:  $129.00 from www.empiredirect.co.

Year / Model Reviewed:
 2003 Sony CDX CA700X

Summary:
This is a great unit from Sony, as always. After sending a Kenwood 4021 back for being faulty I opted for this unit. I don't think it's as good looking as some units (its got that plain robust look, when I preffer a more sofisticated look), but suppose it depends on what you like. The sound is excellent (with DSO on, otherwise its rather pants, and with EQ7 set to the desired preset or custom setting). Also the unit NEVER skips even over some pretty harsh bumps and speed humps (the roads are terrible where I live). Overall its a great unit for £130 and if you like the look of it you won't be let down.

Strengths:
- Excellent sound (with DSO and EQ7) - Never skips - Good outputs for external amps - Nifty Remote

Weaknesses:
- No 'Loud' button (only as a Menu option) - Writing on right knob not backlit - Difficult to remove faceplate - Some controls only on remote control

Similar Products Used:
- Sony MiniDisc Player - Pioneer MiniDisc Player

Price Paid:  $200.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
 2002

Summary:
Its an excellent machine!

Strengths:
Excellent sound with an explod amp and woofers. never skips and has fast eject and track change.

Weaknesses:
Can't pause cd player

Similar Products Used:
kenwood, pioneer with no amp though

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
This reciever is wonderful. I can't believe that reviewer that gave it a 2 out of 5. He sounds like a complete idiot. Sony has never let me down and this reciever is definitely no exception. Works flawlessly with NO skips. The other reviewer may not have mounted it correctly. It works wonders with component systems, delievering wonderfully crisp and bright highs with full mids and lows. Onboard amp is pretty good for it's class, but external amps work better. Tuner is wonderful, cd player is wonderful. This is a top notch head unit for any time sound system.

Strengths:
remote control, great tuner, wonderful sound tweaking features(worth the money alone!), nice display, extremely comfortable and easy to use.

Weaknesses:
no bass specific preamp output.

Similar Products Used:
Alpine recievers, Pioneer(bleh!), etc., etc.

Price Paid:  $200.00 from Circuit City

Summary:
This Stereo Sucks..the only thing good is that it comes with a remote.This stereo has to much Junk in it EQ7,DSO(whatever that is)Xplod..bottom line this unit was a waist of money..i installed a old Alpine7854 and it Rocked

Strengths:
looks,cd changer control,remote..this unit is good for only non-system cars..that means no subwoofer or anything

Weaknesses:
Sony sucks,for systems..skips,to much junk in the stereo(conflicts with a real EQ) and the face takes forever to put on

Similar Products Used:
Stick to Alpine,Nakamichi,Pionner they never skip and good quality

Price Paid:  $200.00 from Good Guys

Year / Model Reviewed:
 2002

Summary:
The price is for the deck only the installation kits were extra of course. To change from a factory installed to this was $300 total including a 3 year exchange warranty. Quality sound and options... definitely would recommend it to others

Strengths:
detachable face, XM ready, flip-down for CD

Weaknesses:
with extension it protrudes about an inch

Similar Products Used:
alpine, kenwood but this one is great