So I've been wanting a disk changer that does mp3. My dealer has one, but it's pricey.

"Why don't you just get an Ipod?"

Good question. So, if I pony up for an Ipod, what kind of SQ can I expect out of it? How about the competitors, like Creative Labs or Toshiba or something, do they all have comparable SQ? Would an actual Kenwood mp3 disk changer have better SQ?

If I end up getting an Ipod/equivalent, I'd like to operate it through my HU rather than have to fumble with it (that kind of a setup reminds me of the old days, plugging my cd walkman through one of those cassette adapters into the old cassette deck in my old truck - quite hokey). These Ipod control modules that I can get for my Kenwood, is it only for Ipods or will it work for the aforementioned competitor's versions?

If your goin to do MP3s you will not get the same from a cd source. But i like having MP3s due the the fact that i have alot of songs to listen to on one cd. With that said i rip all my cds into 320kbps(highest you can do) i do that to keep most of the songs sounding better(not as good as a cd tho)

Now some will argue that it dont matter if its 128 or 320. Sure the 320 will be larger file on ur blank, but who cares cuase blanks are cheap anyways, and it will sound better to. Now to the Ipod part, this is the way im goin to go. And yes you be doing the old walkman days for listening to music. But think of it this way, if you get the 20gig ipod. Youll have easily over 2000 songs at 320kbps(thats about what i have on 20gigs) Thats alot of damn songs to listen too about 6 days worth non stop.

On a side note i had a mp3 playing deck, and i had to take it into get repaired. I found out that the blank cd's cuase the problem, the cd laser drive wont work anymore. I guess the stuff that the lazer writes onto the blanks can flake off or sumthing a screw it up. Anyways the deck has a 250loonie repair bill, it only costed 325. So its just a radio now for the garage.

And for the interface for the Ipod. I think its only for ipods but im not sure. All i think they are is a fm modulator and you find a fm station to hear it on. Try to see if a shop will open up a package for you and see what it does, you might get lucky and make it work for another mp3 player.

I hope my rambling on helps ya out

hehe Ya I have an extensive mp3 collection, somewhere near the 100GB mark by now, mostly 320. I'm a part-time party DJ [img]graemlins/jammin.gif[/img] The ones I rip at 320 myself I use my DJ software, and the difference in SQ - mp3 vs true audio - is ever so slight.

My HU currently does play mp3's, but the amount I drive, I'd like much more capacity than a CD-R has. Perhaps a DVD addon that plays mp3 encoded DVD's could be my answer...

Yes, I noticed with some old cheap blanks that they flaked and quickly got rid of them. The ones I have now are better, I've never seen one flake yet.

No, the Kenwood connector box connects it directly to the HU, just like a cd changer, no FM modulator needed. Plus it has an Aux In for anything I wish to plug in...

[ October 25, 2005, 12:52 AM: Message edited by: GrizZz ]

What if you convert to loseless format? Where you supposedly loose not quality at all? Granted the mp3/wmv file is lik 40 megs each??

I have the ipod adapter for kenwood hu's. I can say it's actually quite nifty. SQ comparable to mp3's cd. You'll never get SQ like cd quality from MP3's unfortunately. The adpater i have you can control the ipod from head unit..i.e. skip songs, choose play lists..only problem is you can't choose a specific song...so if you want to hear one specific song make sure it's in your playlist and you'll need to scroll to find it...

only drawback i've seen so far....

No I know that mp3 isn't as good as cd, that's not the SQ I'm talking about.

If you buy a $30 Wal-Mart cd walkman, and a $250 Sony cd walkman, which do you think is going to output better SQ? The Sony, for sure.

As I've never even held one of these things, I'm just wondering if Apple's output is as good as it gets, or if the, say, Toshiba or Creative Labs is any better or worse?

But thanks for the info on the KW adapter thingy... good to know [img]smile.gif[/img]

how are you add it to the deck ?
do not do the FM thing run it in to the cd stacker

After reading many reviews I went for a dell DJ insted of the Ipod. Cheaper and better SQ apparently. I like it quite a bit and have no complaints about it at all. I have a gen 1 dell dj tho, so I can't comment on the newest ones.

you can get car kits with an ipod...they will work with either most factory car decks, or aftermarket decks as welll....the company is denison and the adaptor is called the ice link. works pretty good, but is kinda pricy and can cost a bit for install. but works great. if your go the fm transmitter route, you will greatly displeasted for the $30-$70 that you spend on the thing....

No, Kenwood makes an adapter brain box that plugs the Ipod into the cd changer plug on my HU. Here's one I just googled it... http://www.abtelectronics.com/product/19604.html

See it makes your Ipod work similar to a changer, controls and song names (edit: Maybe song names, maybe playlist names? Waht's a playlist do? With my mp3 cd's, I just stick it in & it goes) are right on the HU. Pretty slick...

Or, my HU has an aux in, so I can (and have) hook up anything... Laptops, Ipods, mini-mp3 players, DVD players, my DJ mixing board, whatever, I've tried 'em all just for the fun of it [img]smile.gif[/img]

Ya that Dell one rings a bell, I think I heard that it has "better SQ" than the Ipod too...

I guess an email to Kenwood is in order...

[ October 25, 2005, 10:01 PM: Message edited by: GrizZz ]