Anyone out there have good advice on how to connect a mp3 device (usb-stick or ipod or similar) via USB or headphone jack to a hidden receiver / amp?

I have a few oldtimers which need to keep their original radio but I need quality sound.

Having trouble with the ideal solution, BMW now introduced something similar where you stick your ipod to an adaptor in the glove box.

Thanks for any advice here, Ry

 

You could run a head unit in a remote location (IE in the trunk,glovebox, etc) and run a cable to an input jack somewhere convenient....IE have a small box/cube with the input in it...then it would be plug and go, and easily stashed.

I know they do sell RCA-to-USB adaptors, though not sure how great they'd work over a 'long' distance.

Probably could find something similar for an ipod-type setup (like the BMW adaptor).

 

Mini-plug to RCA adapter.
Run from head-phone out to AUX in on head unit.
You then have all your controls (play, forward, stop volume etc) at the MP3 player.

 

Pioneer has some products that might be just what you're looking for.
If you have an iPod, the CD-IB100 iPod adapter allows full iPod control using ANY Pioneer head unit with an IP-Bus input.
Then, if you acquire a 2004 or 2005 CD player with the wired remote control input, you can control BOTH the CD player & the iPod with either the CD-MR70 or CD-MR80D wired remote controllers (CD-MR80D includes an LCD display).
This allows BOTH the CD player & the iPod to be hidden away in the installation & facilitates a direct audio input for the iPod for better sound plus only one controller is necessary for both pieces.

Good luck!

 

Thanks guys,
I think I will start with the FM modulator,
does anyone know how easy it is (or if its even possible) to sync the digital frequency on the modulator to the manual selector on the old radio?
[img]graemlins/bow.gif[/img]

 

If all you want is the mp3 player capability, you don't need a head unit or fm modulator at all...

Just get a stereo mini plug to RCA adaptor and you should be able to plug directly into an amp. You would still use the volume control on the mp3 player to adjust system volume.

I use the adapters to plug my sound cards from my computer into my mixing board (I'm a party DJ), and have never had a problem with it...

 

Hi, thanks for the tips
my challenge (apart from my electronic inadequacy) is that I am trying to adapt to a 1970 AM / FM radio here.


I dont want to buy a new radio either (originality problem).

Ry

 

The FM Modulators can suck pretty badly if you are in a 'city', just as a word of warning.

My friend uses one with an Ipod in his BMW, coincidentally, and it has to be about a foot from the radio or else it gets fuzzy.

In my Impala I set up basically a self-contained audio system, in that it ran independantly of the stock setup (AM in dash, center dash speaker)...Basically put the HU in the glovebox, ran a pair of door speakers, and a subwoofer /amp in the trunk.

All regrets I have aside (it was my first stereo...NEVER cut door panels...ARGH)...it functioned well in that it was seperate from the stock setup.

However, extending the principle, setting up even a budget HU deck in a remote location would be better than the FM modulator in my opinion. Obviously budget and such play a role, but deals can be had in the classifieds here and elsewhere, and like I said, you wont need the 'best' gear, really.

Good Luck

 

Run RCAs to the front from the amp and instead of a HU, plug in a portable CD player or ipod or whatever, the simplest mod is no mod. Use a headphone to RCA splitter (as Jrace mentioned).