Review on 📻 Enhanced Sony DSX-S300BTX Digital Media Receiver with iPod Direct Control using USB and Bluetooth (No Longer Manufactured) by Glen Sprout

My previous main unit finally died after a slow, annoying death. I've come to the conclusion that I only need a line input and preamp outputs. . That's all I need for my iPod Touch. My system doesn't need a head unit for amplification and I no longer use CDs or listen to the radio. I chose this more expensive model because I wanted BT integration. I moved to California and it is illegal to drive with a non-hands-free phone. It also had a nicer display. The device has many settings. I only use a 7-band equalizer and adjust the sound according to the distance from the car speakers. Sounds really good. You can see all your playlists and content types on the display. Overall I'm happy, but the select button is pretty bad. It pushes, rotates and moves in four directions. The menu system isn't very intuitive when navigating, and I have trouble pressing the button, often moving it in one of four directions with surprising results. Sometimes it seems that he does not press at all. The button would be reason enough to return most other head units, but here the pros outweigh this issue (and it's already installed). I don't even recommend trying to use this device while driving. The next most frustrating issue for me is that you can't randomly start a playlist. It remembers what it was doing when you started the car, but when you switch playlists you have to press the play button and then the shuffle button. So one song starts when you press the play button and another when you press shuffle. Also, I really wish there was a spectrum analyzer on the display that it claims to have. But it doesn't seem to correspond with the music, it's behind the lyrics and it's tilted as if it's included in the block. It's pretty crappy so I turned it off. In the end I don't care, the description says there is a line in the jack, but there isn't. I figured I'd use it if the play counters didn't update when I used the iPod "inside". However, the number of games will be updated. Good: concept, sound quality, equalizer, display, BT compatibility. Bad: Cheap/bright plastic for buttons and knobs, hard-to-read buttons, easy-to-use controls/menus, spectrum analyzer.