You can Install this Sony CD Changer Yourself! - Updated March 2002
Written: Dec 04 '00 (Updated Mar 25 '02)
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Pros: Flawless performance, solid construction, easy installation.
Cons: Large CD changer unit may be difficult to fit on inside of car.
The Bottom Line: A good looking, top performing reliable CD changer you can easily hook up to your FM radio yourself.
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| DGodesky's Full Review: Sony CDX-52 Car CD Changer |
UPDATE 3/02: Recently the battery in our car needed a jump. The tow truck's jump blew the fuse for the CD changer. So, should you ever find that the unit isn't working, first check the small in-line fuse supplied by Sony. Otherwise, no problems at all for over three years of heavy use.
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Original review: Well-planned installation of CD changers, especially ones that run off your FM radio is essential. Our in-the-trunk solution has worked well for over a year of flawless performance by this top quality unit.
Sony puts out several different model numbers, so while you may run across a different number, they are essentially the same depending on which year it was produced. Remote control seems to be the only major difference. Our unit has a brushed metal case, like the photo at Epinions. I would try to purchase that model for durability but the all-plastic models should be fine too.
Since installation, we have nothing but good performance. CDs change in what seems to be a reasonable amount of time -- 3 to 8 seconds. Playback has never skipped. The remote control works throughout the car. The hard-wired and remote controls are attractive; they can be placed where the driver can toggle selections without taking his/her eyes off the road. The only thing I would suggest to Sony is that they supply a spare cartridge with the unit and raise the price a little for it -- we would like to have one but never get around to shopping for it.
What is most important is ease of installation. Installing this Sony unit was my first experience and I considered it of moderate difficulty. Now that I know what to expect, I consider it easy. Key things to consider are:
a. Try for a trunk mount; this keeps the unit from undergoing rapid temperature changes and the condensation that comes with it.
b. Try to mount the unit under the back seat deck; this allows you to keep the unit horizontal. While Sony designed it to be useful in many different angles 45-degrees, 90-degrees, etc., I believe level, horizontal installation renders top performance -- it's just logical.
c. Use fuse clips, these small metal clips that mount to your fuse box convert the wires from the unit into easy to attach clips that connect quickly. Make sure you keep the in-line fuses from the unit (two come already wired in) easily accessible. We had a tow truck jump our car, and the fuses blew with the surge of voltage -- and were easily replaced.
d. Try not to remove your existing radio unless it's absolutely necessary. Get to the back of your radio by coming in from below, or as we did, remove the glove box to reach behind the radio. This way you don't risk breaking trim and you keep the tight, original radio installation as it was.
To install this unit, you have 1) a CD changer, 2) a small power/modulator box, 3) the wired changer and 4) the remote changer.
To install (1) the main changer, you can mount it to the underside of the back seat deck by using a razor to cut tiny + slits in which you drill the mounting holes; the bolts they supply go through the holes to mounting brackets on the side of the unit. You bolt the unit to the underside of the deck from inside the trunk. This location is away from moisture, near the center of the car for maximum stability. There are other locations, but this seems to be the one o use unless you must make another choice. The only drawback is that you can only change CD-cartridges via access to the trunk; but it's out of sight (anti-theft). The changer is rather large and I just don't come across many cars with that much clearance under a seat or in a glove box, under a dash, etc.
To run wires to/from the changer to the modulator (2), I suggest pushing them from the trunk into and under the edge/bottom of the back seat, then running them under the plastic trim along the bottom of the door jam, all the way to the front and up behind the glove box where (2) is waiting. We have less than three inches of exposed wire on the inside of the car using this method.
To install (2), the modulator box, after plugging in the FM antenna cord to your radio, and running the power wires, we wrapped it in carpet foam and taped it to the area behind the glove box. No rattle, but still accessible if necessary (it has a re-set button but even with power failure, we've never needed it. They gave us just enough wire to reach the fuse box; if I ran short, I would not splice, I would make an extension to clip on to the original; this will make any movement to a new car in the future easier and cleaner.
To install (3), the wired changer, we ran the wire from the gap where the steering wheel comes out, to the modulator, allowing us to mount the changer on the dashboard in a position where it nearly looks like a factory-installed control. We used the plastic gripper material that works like Velcro, but is made of plastic -- sole at hardware stores, Radio Shack, etc.
To install (4), the remote control, it can mount out of sight using Velcro, supplied by Sony.
After a $50 rebate, this unit cost $180, and prices have been running about $200 after a $30 rebate lately.
Good luck -- it's well worth doing this yourself so you know where everything is when you chose to change cars -- and not have to buy another CD changer ever!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 200.00
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Epinions.com ID:
DGodesky
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Location: Maryland
Reviews written: 74
Trusted by: 5 members
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