hi

i am looking for a cheap way to play my iPod through my car stereo. i purchased a Belkin FM transmitter, but there was way too much static. I even went so far as to extend the antenna by about 10 inches, but the static was still unbearable.

my HU, an Alpine CDA-9826, has an auxillary input somewhere, and i know i can get an aux cable for, what, $6?
so my questions are
1. how does an ipod through AUX input sound?
and
2. where the flip is the input on my HU?


thanks,
Jon

 

The Aux input will be in the back of the unit. If you have a Aux input in the back you can buy a cable that plugs into the iPod just like your docking cable. This will sound a lot better because it will be a digital to digital connection. You can get the cable at Best Buy, Circuit City, auido store, or online.

 

Here's what I was talking about...


Alpine iPod control interface KCA-420i Alpine KCA-420i package includes a compact adapter module and two cables. Mount the adapter module in a hidden location in your vehicle, then connect one cable from the module to your Alpine receiver, and the second cable from the module to your iPod - you can control virtually all iPod playback functions from your compatible Alpine receiver, including search, track preview, and shuffle play.

Alpine KCA-420i key features:

[ul][*]Access iPod with Alpine receiver's controls[*]Includes adapter module and two 78" connecting cables[*]Charges iPod battery while driving[/ul]Alpine's Quick Search keys offer quick and easy navigation through your iPod's music menu, and you can set your receiver's Bass Engine controls to maximize the sound quality of your iPod tunes. Alpine KCA-420i module also automatically charges your iPod's internal battery.

The KCA-420i is compatible with the following 2004 Alpine recievers: CDA-9820XM, CDA-9825, CDA-9826, CDA-9827, CDA-9833, CDA-9835, IVA-D300, IVA-D901, CVA-1004

 

well i dont think i have the above mentioned on my hu, but i have a front aux port and it sounds alot better then a fm transmitter, i used to use a monster fm trans, that thing actually works pretty good but is expensive for such a device.

 

i looked at the 420i, and its reviews.
there are a lot of complaints about it: its slow, allows only 255 artists, search function is clunky to say the least, and its around $100

i did some poking around and found out that the 9826 has an optional aux input.
wtf?

so i did a bit more searching and found this.
anyone know it works?

 

The nice thing about the 420i thingy is that you control the iPod from the cd player. This other adapter you show doesn't do that. You can't leave your iPod in the glove box because you have the change songs on the iPod itself. If you're looking for the best way to do it, just get a new deck that has the iPod transfer adapter, not the 420i. You'll be glad you did. Otherwise you'll have to deal with these semi-worthless devices.

 

i know, i know.

but i cant spend a lot of money right now...its not a priority of mine. i need to save up for prom, brakes, and a new transmission.

if i had the extra cash, i would definately slap a new HU in there, but i just bought a type-R, a ported box to put it in, and an MA Audio amp to power the beast.

so, for the time being, im just looking for something that will get me by until i can get a new HU.

 

My ipod is connected to my equalizer.

This is how i did it:

- My head unit was connected to the 'Main' on the equalizer (which contained
the inputs for both my amps). So i disconnected my head unit from the main
and connected the ipod RCAs into the "Main" on the equalizer. So basically,
im using my iPod as my mainsource of audio....now i cant hear anything
from my head unit (but itstill has to be on because it powers the equalizer).
It sounds great.......but im still wondering if i can connect both my ipod and
the head unit together. Kinda like a splitter RCA that contains 2output RCA's
that run to the equalizer, and 4 input RCA's (2 for ipod, and 2 for head unit).
anyone know?

 

Caine:

take a trip down to radio shack, if any place would have RCA splitters, they would.
just go down and tell them your situation....they'll give you everything you need to rig it all up.

 

^yea. I was thinking the same.....thanks for the heads up.