Sony XAV-AX8500 debuts as Tilt & Swivel in-car AV receiver with LDAC

Sony's latest in-car AV receiver has the advantages of its predecessors, inbuilt Wi-Fi/GPS for wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility and support for FLAC playback over LDAC included. The XAV-AX8500 improves on some of them with a Tilt & Swivel design that allows it to turn through about 15° horizontally or vertically.

Its 10.1-inch 1280x720 "Gapless Anti-glare Capacitive Touchscreen" can show either a Sony GUI or a per-marque factory-configured interface thanks to the receiver's iDatalink Maestro link to a given car's smart system.

 The XAV-AX8500 also has the 3-preout connectivity needed to build out a full acoustic system complete with mono and 4-channel amplifiers. Its Sony Quick Wake Up feature should enable it to start on ignition, just like a first-party dashboard screen. 

The AX8500 has a single-DIN design that might simplify its installation and a "High Voltage" (5V) pre-out backed for clearer audio when connected to a powered amp. Although Sony has launched its latest AV receiver, it will not be released with a starting price until early 2024.

Buy the AX6000 on Amazon