Overview:
The CPA-9C shows quality engineering and workmanship, despite its manufacturing takes place in China. I cannot verify the longevity of the device [for now], but it does seem rather sturdy compared to other models in the same price range ($12-16). As for sound quality, this particular cassette is very sensitive to the actual amplification power of your audio device. Lower quality DAC's will perform very poorly with this cassette, however, even with a poor audio device, the sound quality transmitted through the cassette is consistent with the actual quality that the device itself is capable of producing. There is virtually no hissing or cassette noise while in operation. The only flaw this device suffers is the poor transmission of lower end frequencies - they are nearly omitted from playback on any audio device.
Control for Confounds (overkill for most people):
I bought the CPA-9C for use with a 1997 Lincoln Towncar (fleet edition), a 2009 Grand Marquis Ultimate Edition, and a 2010 Crown Victoria, all with the cassette player option in the radio. I used three audio devices with the CPA-9C, ranking with the best playback first: a 256 GB custom 5.5th generation iPod Video (60GB model), an iPhone SE, and a 16GB 5th generation iPod Nano. All devices had no EQ enabled. I used three music files in AIFF format (actually fully lossless & 100% CD quality): Lindsey Webster's Back to Your Heart, Metallica's Unforgiven II, and Justin Timberlake's Strawberry Bubblegum.
As with many 3.5mm female ports, they gather debris over a period of time, so I cleaned each device of any lint or debris (as this effects sound quality in any listening medium). I took this step because in my experience with various Phillips and Belkin cassette adapters that utilize a 3.5mm jack, there is always an evident hissing noise, sometimes from a poor quality connection at the audio device itself. I felt that many reviews didn't specify that they controlled for this, so I thought I would mention it in my review.
I utilized two separate listening systems to verify that the 3.5 mm ports of each device were consistent - a VSX90 AVR in 5.1 and a UE Boom 2. It was overwhelmingly apparent which devices had a better DAC when using the VSX90, even though the same file was played on all three devices.
The Actual Review:
In each car, the CPA-9C performed exceptionally well, beyond any other cassettes, namely Belkin, Phillips, & Monster. Each car was set to 20% volume on the radio. In all cars, the CPA-9C performed the same each time, each in different temperatures (20F, 45F, 75F). Initially, it took me some time to figure the optimal volume setting for each device - as each has a slightly different output current, and hence, the volume output to the cassette was also different. I found with a higher quality DAC (the best being the custom iPod 5.5th), the sensitivity for volume was also greater. The iPod nano had poor quality and low volume, even when the device was set to full volume, whereas the iPod Video was perfectly content at roughly 50-65% of full volume (in fact, beyond 65%, audio clipping began to occur because the signal was too much for the cassette). The iPhone SE found its highest quality of sound and volume at around 80%.
Each file played well, but there was a noticeable deficit in the lower frequencies. I can only verify this with the 09 & 10 cars, because they also have a CD player (which is how I was able to compare the actual CD track to the same track on each audio device using the CPA-9C). I feel as if this may not be the fault of the CPA-9C though, because the medium of using a tape is lossy - mechanisms in the cassette and cassette player transmit the sound, as opposed to a laser for a CD. There is no hissing as there is with the Phillips and the Belkin, and the quality of the 3.5 mm end is far better than that of the Monster. I believe if you are wanting the best audio quality and all you have is a cassette player in your car, the CPA-9C is the one to buy.
Final Remarks:
From my experience with these cassette adapters (the CPA-9C among others), I learned that the DAC from the source audio device plays a LARGE role in the actual quality that can be transmitted through the cassette to the stereo system in your car. I had an intuition that it would make a difference, but I hadn't realized how much of a difference. If you decide to purchase the CPA-9C, the biggest variable that will influence the sound quality is the source device- not the car, not the cassette player, not the temperature, and not even the file quality used for playback (of course you will hear differences between mp3 and AIFF/WAV).
My best advice to consumers on cassette adapters is this: The CPA-9C is the BEST cassette adapter on the market.
If sound quality is your goal and money is tight, look for a used 5th gen or 5.5th gen iPod video on Amazon. $60-70 is well worth the investment when a quality new radio from Sony or Pioneer costs $500-750. You can load your music up (provided you actually own your own music and not a streaming service) and just go - no strings attached. They are incredibly reliable and are making a surprising comeback in the market. All iPods' value is going up, despite introductions of the new iPhone X and other 'super' devices. Many sellers on Amazon can get you in around $60 if you look around.
If convenience is your goal and you only want to use your smartphone, check your volume levels to ensure you aren't clipping audio. I'd also recommend setting your EQ to 'off' on the source device so you can tune your car's EQ instead. You'll sparing the cassette player of extra work and the sound quality will be much cleaner and crisper.
Lastly, do not believe that a cassette adapter will surpass a CD player. If you want the best quality you can get, it all starts with your source audio device - the quality of the DAC and power of its amplifier. Any cassette player is limited by the mechanisms that dictate its operation - but the Sony CPA-9C will get as close to lossless transmission from your device as possible.
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This Item  Walkman Car Connecting Pack for MD Walkman and CD Walkman (Model# CPA-9C) |  |  |  | |
| Price | $84.99 | $16.99 | $17.99 | $7.99 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Saturday, May 11 | Get it as soon as Monday, May 13 | Get it as soon as Saturday, May 11 | Get it as soon as Saturday, May 11 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||
| Sound quality | ||||
| Noise level | ||||
| Volume control | ||||
| Easy to use | ||||
| Value for money | ||||
| Sold By | 2MKSales | Voijump-US | Arsvita | Elook Direct |
| connector type | — | Auxiliary | Auxiliary | Auxiliary |
| number of ports | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| current rating | — | 8 amps | 1.5 amps | 12 amps |
| power plug type | no plug | — | — | no plug |
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Customer Review: Works well in my 2000 Toyota Rav4
Timothy Tomko
Reviews with images
Wow! A better adapter than I was expecting!
I purchased the Sony Walkman CPA-9C cassette adapter (shipped from and sold by Amazon) for use in a Kenwood twin shaft car stereo as well as at home in a vintage style Crosley radio tape deck. Upon receiving the adapter I was very surprised to see it was packaged in a plastic and cardboard display-pak like it would be if sold by any major retailer. Nice touch! Once opened the packaging has instructions on both sides indicating how to use it (turn off Dolby NR, turn off repeat/blank skip if possible, etc.). Once plugged in I was utterly shocked by the clarity! The GROM MP3 adapter in my later model vehicle which works off the factory Aux CD input isn't even this clear! There was ZERO hiss transferred through the adapter (more a product of the tape players than the adapter, but still, wow!) I didn't expect the sound to be as clear as it is! Using it to play music from my cell phone the in car sound is clearer than that provided by the FM receiver and sounds significantly better than my expectations! In my home radio the experience is the same, crystal clear and noise free. After hearing stories of playback issues due to auto tape reversal (a feature both radios have) I was relieved to not experience such problems even after hours of play. The only downside I would say the unit has is, molded into the B side of the cassette is a warning not to leave the unit in a vehicles tape deck in direct sunlight. Could be just a disclaimer or could be a real issue... only time will tell there. Oh, and the cord... it's ridiculously long! You can hand your audio player of choice to passengers in the back seat without worry! The cord will reach!
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