Kenwood KTC-HR300 HD Radio Tuner Box with Itunes Tagging Review

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(More customer reviews)I recently purchased the KTC-HR300 HD Tuner for an older Kenwood eXcelon radio (the KDC-X790) I have in an antique hot rod. I purchased it outside of Amazon at a higher price because information was lacking concerning older HD compatable Kenwood radios, and I was concerned I might need to return it. Also, Kenwood doesn't warranty anything not sold by their affiliated dealers.
Even the major Kenwood electronics supplier I purchased from was unsure the KTC-HR300 HD would work with my older (2007) Kenwood radio - although it was HD rated by Kenwood. The first tech told me straight out it wouldn't work with my older head unit. Boy, have I got a surprise for him. I later called back and spoke with another tech there, pointing out a few things in the Kenwood USA site item description, and ordered the unit from them with the understanding I could return it if it didn't work.
The only thing that doesn't work is my headunit is unable to do the iTunes "tagging" the KTC-HR300 HD is capable of - big deal. I just wanted HD radio. As it turns out, anything compatable with the older KTC-HR200 HD is also compatable with the KTC-HR300 HD.
Installation couldn't be easier. I might have spent five minutes total - and was taking my time. The KTC-HR300 HD comes with a 57" antenna extention and a patch cord of roughly the same length for connection to the headunit. A "KAB" adapter is also provided for newer headunits using "KAB" instead of the older "5L" connector that my older headunit has. I liked that the "5L" connector has a locking feature that securely holds it to the headunit once connected. As for the antenna, you simply pull the antenna from the headunit and install it to the KTC-HR300 HD connector. As quickly as I turned on the headunit, the KTC-HR300 HD was operating.
There are two switches on the KTC-HR300 HD some may need to set. Default is "Off" for both, and for using the "5L" connector. Using the "KAB" connector requires switch 1 placed in the "On" position.
Those long cables also meant I could easily place the KTC-HR300 HD under a seat or just about anywhere I wanted. Two pieces of included Velcro fasteners also allowed me to secure the small unit (6-1/2x1-3/8x4-5/16 inch) firmly out of the way. My mounting position allowed for some air circulation around the top of the KTC-HR300 HD, and I was worried some as I had read the older KTC-HR200 HD had run warm. After running the unit for two hours in full HD play and use, I was relieved to find my KTC-HR300 HD was still cool to the touch.
In operation, there was a small learning curve, but the eXcelon KDC-X790 is a complicated receiver with many features. Once I was accustomed to using the eXcelon controls and had made my headunit menu settings for HD, which required the headunit manual, operation was simple and my reward was great HD performance. I didn't even notice any sacrifice to standard analog FM or AM - but I could tell the difference in sound (for the better) using HD. What I liked best was I now can listen to many more programing choices - many much better than offered on analog. The KTC-HR 300 HD unit simply made an all around improvement.
The HD tuner station program acquisition was quick, and (40 miles out from stations) my reception lock on HD was very good on all but two. Those two tended to take a second or two, during which my eXcelon's screen displayed it was acquiring the signal, once locked it drifted back and forth some between analog and digital on those two, but the transfer was seamless and the sound quality remained good (this was using my vehicle's fender mounted OEM fixed wire mast antenna). I have to say I'm quite pleased with the performance of this unit in my application - and the "heads up" screen displays for the HD programs and all stations. Using that headunit just became much better with the addition of the KTC-HR300 HD. I'll definitely be purchasing another of these for another older Kenwood "HD Ready" headunit I have in another antique vehicle - and my next purchase of this product will be through Amazon (warranty or not).
Update - Actually, the paperwork that came with my old eXcelon KDC-X790 recommended the even earlier KTC-9090DAB. After reading the manual for that one, I'm glad I waited.

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