Music Quality of Zune used with Car Stereo System

[the_mahout]

I have been reading through some of the threads on the MS Zune 80 and am looking for some opinions from owners on how well it sounds hooked up to a car audio system. I would be using an AUX input. I see that the Zune does not have a dedicated line-out and the headphone jack must be used for output from the device.

Satisfied?

Thanks.

[chris downing]

I have used my zune 30gb in my car using the auxillary input on a pioneer headnit, and it sounded good. It worked fine and the headphone out on the zune is just about as good as the line out, so you will not be dissapointed.

[Penchum]

Eventually, someone will make a "line-out" cable for the Zune 80s. That will be very convenient for a lot of situations. Has anyone checked lately??
Thanks!

[tstarn06]

Not sure if a line-out will really be a true line-out, mainly because when I have the Zune80 plugged into its dock in my office (and into my T-amp and old KLH speakers), the volume control still works (I keep it at 20, the max). Not sure, but that could be a sign that the line-out is really just another headphone jack out (technically speaking, that is). With my Creative ZVM, when I use the line out dock, the volume control ceases to work.

Anyone have any thoughts whether my observation is wrong with the Zune? I mean, the dock does have a line out-like plug, but again, not sure if the sound is any different than using the headphone jack.

[Penchum]

Originally Posted by tstarn06

Not sure if a line-out will really be a true line-out, mainly because when I have the Zune80 plugged into its dock in my office (and into my T-amp and old KLH speakers), the volume control still works (I keep it at 20, the max). Not sure, but that could be a sign that the line-out is really just another headphone jack out (technically speaking, that is). With my Creative ZVM, when I use the line out dock, the volume control ceases to work.

Anyone have any thoughts whether my observation is wrong with the Zune? I mean, the dock does have a line out-like plug, but again, not sure if the sound is any different than using the headphone jack.

What I read some time back (so this could be wrong) was that the Dock has an amp in it, so the remote will do volume up and down. I'm not sure this makes any sense to me though. Either way, I'd still like to be able to just plug in a cable at the bottom of the unit instead of the jack.

[Sarchi]

Yeah I use the 30 in my car....keep the volume at max. It sounds pretty good, though not "high end" by any means. I've found it tough to use any of the EQ settings in the car, they all sound "wrong". Keeping the volume pot wide open should alleviate concerns about the pot itself, but it does suck down battery life.

[Milner]

I have used my 80 in the car a few times so far. Sounds as good as the mp3 cd's I rip and the same as my X5 did. Your car stereo is most likely a lot more forgiving then your headphones or IEMs.