I just bought a 40 year old car which has a super simple dash and interior. I was planning on putting the old stereo I have either hidden under the dash or in the glove compartment to keep it looking simple. Then get one of the ipod radio transmitters to plug into the cigarette lighter which transmits to the car stereo.
Now I think the idea I like better is to just get a good amp that has RCA inputs and connect the ipod straight to the amp. Better sound quality and cuts out the middle man which is the stereo. I don't need a stereo anyway because all the controls you need are already on the ipod. Some amps turn on when they detect a source, like the XM-1252GTR from Sony-xplod. It's a basic but super cheap amp, which means I can focus my funds on fixing the car. It all makes sense in theory, I am wondering if it works in application though. Would there be any technical problems with doing it this way? Signal is too weak, etc. Any answers?

 

it could be done but i believe you would still need a 12 volt with a switch for the remote turn on of the amp.

 

it will work but the output the Ipod is giving out is very weak maybe try a line level converter also to give u a bit of bump

 

Keep in mind that you will need a way to charge your ipod on the road too. I think you would probably be happier if you ran a deck with ipod capability but good luck.

 

this is done very easily. all you need is a line driver and a video cam corder to RCA output wire (which you can get from Apple directly, its the same cable they use for VIDEO OUT with the video ipods) 'cept u wont be using the video portion of the RCA, just the two audio outs and u are done. i have done exactly this and it works but i need a line driver as the ipod audio signal is rather weak.

have fun.

 

The new series of Blaupunkt amplifiers have a direct Aux input for an application just like this. This input is a stereo mini jack and your I-pod or any other portable device will work just fine with it.

 

a few of the low cost JVC HU's have an aux in on the front as well... it's quite common with a few of the manufactures... Like Sony, JVC, Blau, DUAL, etc...

Mark

 

/////Alpine has a deck coming out in '07 that is strickly for iPod, it has a screen, to show info and album art. It's pretty cool, simple, and it will do way better then just the iPod

 

I know they will sell a ton of them, but come on. it's my music that I put on the ipod, do I really need album art? they are feeding the masses. pointless to me though.

Mark