british ioplay and a california sony

Howie: Thanks again for all your help, knowledge, and forebearance. I think I've got it figured out! I'm going to create my own "quick connect" plugs for this application as I've got a couple of boxes of various size Molex plug pairs. I'll pull the Sony radio out first, and then make up the Molex plugs. Essentially making my own "adapter harness". And hopefully they'll work too! Thanks again, Chris

Well, thanks a lot for the information... However I have discovered that ever present "fly in the ointment" as we say here in horse country. My Sony MEX-5DI has RCA output plugs for all it's speakers, fronts, rears, and subs. Nothing like what the ISO plug assumes. And while the Sony connector plug (into the stereo head unit) is a 16 contact "chassis", there's only 6 connectors that are actually used. All the other's are empty "blanks". So the next question is just how the heck do I wire up the separate RCA plug connectors? Thinking about it here, I would guess that I should use a "RCA to bare wire" adapter for all the speaker connections. 4 adapters to begin with, and then 4 more on the "other end" of the IoPlay connection. For a total of 8, which is going to be a big handful of RCAs. I tell you, this is beginning to be the proverbial "pain in the neck"... which is working its way down... way down! If anyone's got a good idea, besides the RCA to two wires adapter, I'm literally all ears! Thanks again for all your time, and knowledge, Chris Difani

If the sony radio has only RCA outputs, you will need to get an amplifier of some sort. The RCA jacks will not power a speaker.

Chris, all is not lost, does the Sony have aux inputs? Does the iO have a alternative line output like a Parrot? Even if not you could take two of the speaker output channels from the iO, run through an attennuator, to RCA (or phono or whatever) and into the Sony, then flip the Sony through to aux input, if no aux input, use the CD (autochanger input). Easy!

Okay, I'll believe you... all is not lost. However while the Sony does have aux inputs, it's thru their Sony bus system... which is something I'll have to buy. The IoPlay does not have any auxiliary inputs. IoPlay has gone exclusively with Bluetooth connectivity. They have a number of adapters, but they're all Bluetooth adapters in one form or another. The only possibility of a "aux" input is the microphone 3.5MM female plug. I don't know if I can use that plug for something besides the microphone, but I'm willing to try! In earlier IoPlay models they had a couple of wired inputs in addition to the Bluetooth. But this latest model seems to be strictly Bluetooth. Or at least that's the way I "see" their web site specifications page. Also, just a note, I have two amps on my system, one for the subwoofer, and one for the other speakers (of which there's 8). The amps total 1500 watts. And now back to your "easy" solution. Give me a bit more detail. Remember who you're dealing with here! Electrical genius is not part of my job description. In fact I'm lucky if I can spell "electrical"... and we're not going anywhere near that "genius" word. After re-reading your post, I think I maybe might understand it... kinda. If I'm reading it correctly, the Sony does have an "auxilliary", that I can change to thru the headunits control system. However that leaves the question of the fabled "attenuator"... whatever that is. If we're talking about an FM modulator, that connects to the Sony's external antenna, I'm already doing that for my XM Radio (satellite radio). So that's not going to work. But I can get the Sony "bus" expansion system. That provides extra inputs, like a CD changer, things like that. And that's my situation as of this moment. I'm beginning to think I should have purchased a new stereo headunit, one that has Bluetooth, and "aux input" already integrated to start with. But life's a learning experience! And I'm definitely learning here! And thanks for all your time, and knowledge, I really appreciate it. Chris

Sony autochangers send the audio signal to the head unit via RCA or phono connectors, the propiortary (spelling) plug simply controls its functions; plug any source in and it will play on selecting "changer". Attenuators, basically drop the signal level from speaker down to a lower level of voltage which is then preamped through your head unit and then out to your amps.

I am not 100% sure but I think the units will only switch to changer if they see a changer connected to the end of the data cable. 

Bugger it Mr. Idiot, I thought you were the expert on audio  Going back a few years before dedicated  iPod interfaces,  I'm  sure we just plugged the RCA/Phonos (what do you call them in the US? The French call them "Cinch" connectors.) In to the back of the Sony from an MP3 player or Pod and selected changer, you had no track or file etc. control. Mr. Id, please explain to Chris what audio attenuators are.