Panasonic CQ-RX300N

6th March 2008 Adam Rayner

The Panasonic CQ-RX300N is the middle pip of the triumvirate of Panasonic CD tuners we are examining. It has the same base features as the £100 model, the CQ-RX200N, which are the same quality CD mechanism and the same SQ3 EQ system of improved sonic control instead of simple bass and treble controls. It has the same level of voltage of signal output (2V) but now has two sets of RCA sockets on the back again, chassis mounted rather than hanging on the end of a cord. The fascia is a shiny black and looks a lot classier for it, although the FL display is the same element as before and does the same braggy display of telling you that it is Bluetooth Audio and hands free use ready. A hard case is provided for this removable faceplate. The same single ‘System Up’ socket exists on the rear and it is here that you either connect a single extra like an iPod (it’ll still accept disc changers, too) or else the expansion module that then allows up to four extra things to be plugged in, be it a collection of iPods or sounds from a camera’s output, whatever.
The front now has an extra orifice in the shape of a front mounted USB port with a rubbery cover that hides it when not in use, another feature the 200 lacks. As well as having this ability to connect more digital devices, the CQ-RX300N is also able to decode the AAC digital compressed file format as well as the range-wide MP3 and WMA abilities it shares with its brethren. This unit comes with an Infra-Red remote control with real buttons (not membrane switches) with 14 single-hit buttons and two rocker buttons to cover all remote functions.
– New Arc Evolution design detachable faceplate; red button illumination
– 4 x 50w MOSFET amp
– SQ3 (3-band Sound Quality Equaliser) Low/Bass +/-12dB @ 60Hz, 80Hz, 100Hz or 200Hz
– SQ3 (3-band Sound Quality Equaliser) Mid +/-12dB @ 500Hz, 1kHz, 2kHz or 3kHz
– SQ3 (3-band Sound Quality Equaliser) High/Treble +/-12dB @ 10kHz, 12kHz, 15kHz or 18kHz
– 2V/200 Ohms preamp-out (front, rear)
– iPod ready
– Bluetooth ready (with Bluetooth unit CY-BT200N)
– AAC/WMA/MP3 playback from CD-R/RW discs
– CD changer control
– CD Text
– System Up connector on rear for addition of single unit or CY-EM100N expansion module for up to four
– Front USB input
– Front AUX input 3.5mm (music port)
– 18 FM and 6 AM presets
– Signal to Noise Ratio 96dB
– Infra red remote control included
Review by Adam Rayner
This deck is quite a slice of greater sophistication for an extra £20 and I can see most folks being horribly tempted, even if only by the sheer appeal of the more Piano-black looking faceplate that oozes class versus the quite ordinary front of the £100 CQ-RX200N. It’s not just a better faceplate look after all, the design layout is pretty much identical, the only real difference being the tough-looking but small rubber-armoured socket for the USB. This means you could hook up all sorts of devices but I reckon this is where you’d plug in that album you bought actually as a USB wristband and was wearing until you got into the car. Having it right on the front, along with the 3.5mm audio jack that all the decks also have, is a cool feature and adds greatly to the up-to-datedness of the deck.
The whole thing feels more solid and weighty and yet is of course based on the same CD mechanism as the whole range, so is limited to the same level of performance. However, as stated in the review of the lesser deck, the quality starts with the best as they all share the same 96dB Signal to Noise Ratio innards. Again, I fired up the Spirit of Sound (#6) CD I got from Focal and had the guys sing ‘Whaa-heeda!’
Once more the Bowers & Wilkins LM1 Leisure Monitors sang a treat and I was taken by the snap and dynamism of the output section. The on board power amp remains the same as well, which is nice as the display also brags about its internal power as part of the scrolling information you get in between times.
A much prettier deck all round with the Arc Evolution showing a chromed slice as well as the Piano black look. If I was shopping myself I would really truly want this one by at least twenty quidï¿½s worth more urge than the 200N. I know itï¿½s supposed to be about AAC, USB and extra RCA outs but it is just so much prettier!
The addition of the remote control is nice, even though I have always had problems understanding the need when this is the ONLY field of electronics that absolutely has to live at the end of your arm by default. It gives back seat drivers or your passenger (bless ‘er, Rampant Internet Sexism Alert!) some control over just how far you are beating out the beats.
A seriously tempting package even at this low price point and again, this deck would have been the thick end of three hundred pounds only a relatively short time ago, due to the downwards spiralling of costs of the digital file formats and the general advance in technology-per-pound that seems no to be slowing down. Which is dead cool. A handsome addition to any dashboard and one that will look like you spent far more than the asking price.
Sound Quality 8.0
Appearance/Display 8.0
Ease Of Use/HMI 9.0
Features 8.0
Value For Money 9.0
Overall rating 8.4