[wolfen68]

I typed a thread already and it got lost

...I will try again...

I have an older vehicle in which I listen to my archos through a cassette deck adaptor. I would rather have a line-in, but I don't think my vehicle deserves a new stereo.

Currently it has a stock delco electronics tuner/cd player from the automobile maker. One thing that's "interesting" is that it also has a SEPARATE cassette deck module near the floor. Obviously, there is some type of feed from the cassette deck to the main stereo module. Could this feed be intercepted (or spliced into) and used as a line-in...or converted to be used as a line-in?

If this would work, I wouldn't even need the tape deck...I would just plug into my new jury-rigged adaptor and enjoy the improvement. What type of feed would this be anyways?

Any ideas/comments appreciated. I'm ready to start ripping the lower dash apart if I know it will work.

 

[rab10]

I would like to know about this also. I am not getting
enough volume and quality audio with the cassette
adapter also.

Anybody know where to get this information, maybe from
www.crutchfield.com?

Thanks.

 

[whistler]

Can't tell you anything about patching into the feed from the cassette deck. But, have you tried the Belkin Tunecast II FM Transmitter?

 

[wolfen68]

Quote:

Originally Posted by whistler Can't tell you anything about patching into the feed from the cassette deck. But, have you tried the Belkin Tunecast II FM Transmitter?

I tried a name brand unit (it escapes me now) and the sound was a big step down from the cassette adapter.

 

[erikzen]

Question kind of off topic:

Is there such a thing as a "good" cassette adapter?

 

[RunsWithScissors]

I own a 2nd gen 10gig ipod (touchwheel with buttons around the wheel, headphone jack but no line-out) and I have installed an AUX input to my factory Honda stereo via the CD changer inputs. I strongly recommend an AUX input hook-up (if your car stereo supports it) over cassette adapter or FM transmitter as the sound quality is much better. With EAC ripped, LAME (APX) MP3s I get basically CD quality audio in my car with this setup. The differences in sound quality in the car environment are not even worthy of mentioning IMO. Hopefully some of the info below will help you with your car installation...

I've posted info on my car installation in the ipodlounge forums and you can find some good info/ideas there too (my ipodlounge nick is 'SandMan'):
http://www.ipodlounge.com/forums/for...php?forumid=44

http://www.ipodlounge.com/forums/for...?s=&forumid=44

http://www.ipodlounge.com/

Stuff I used in my AUX-input car installation for iPod to Honda factory car stereo with CD changer control support:
AUX input adapter (approx $50 for honda):
http://www.logjamelectronics.com/logjam/auxinpconv.html
I used this aux adapter: http://www.logjamelectronics.com/logjam/piehonaux.html

RCA-Mini cable:
Acoustic Research AP042 available at www.bestbuy.com for $12.99

Mount:
www.panavise.com (see cellular link - mounting plates specific to car model)
http://www.panavise.com/nf/comm/indash/index.html

Also see portagrip 2000 model 702 (fits iPod)
http://www.panavise.com/nf/comm/cell_portagrip2000.html


Installation instructions (FREE):
www.installdr.com


An example of a cool installation (VW GTI):
(Interesting due to resolution to ground loop problem)
http://www.torquesteer.com/garage/howto/ipodinstall/


My iPod case of choice:
Super Dooper case from www.sfbags.com


For a 3rd gen ipod with line-out, I recommend this cable based on info I've read: Sik Imp cable (charger and line-out connector)
http://www.sik.com/imp.php
http://www.ipodlounge.com/reviews_mo...d=3449_0_6_0_M
OR
Sik din line-out/FireWire adapter for iPod
http://www.ipodlounge.com/ipodnews_c...=P3231_0_7_0_C

Other places to get connectors/adapters:
http://www.logjamelectronics.com/logjam/caraudio.html
http://www.logjamelectronics.com/logjam/auxinpconv.html
http://www.rcainput.com/
http://www.blitzsafe.com/blitz_cata...tz_catalog.html
http://www.soundgate.com/

Some of these vendors offer products which allow you to hook up both a CD changer and an AUX connector support varies depending upon your car stereo model.

Much of this info can be applied to players other than iPod and these vendors should at least provide you with sources to begin your search or give you some ideas for your own specific installation.

Hope this helps! Enjoy!

 

[wolfen68]

What a great reply! I'm looking into P.I.E. compatibility now....

Thanks.

 

[RunsWithScissors]

I did a lot of searching for this stuff and I hope it saves you time or gives you some ideas that may not have been apparent before.

I really hope this helps you find a good solution that works for you.

Let us know what you end up with. Maybe it will help someone else in a similar situation too.

 

[wolfen68]

Ahhrgh! I lost a typed thread again!

Short recant...

It looks like the PAC AAI-GM9 adaptor will work. I bought it from here because it was substantially cheaper than Logjam Electronics.

http://www.audiooutfitter.com/cgi-bin/store/AAIGM9.html

It allows splicing into the cassette "slave" unit and adds two auxiliary inputs. Downside...the cassette deck must have a tape in it. I'll probably make a dummy tape to leave there.

Thanks again....I'll report later how it works.

 

[wolfen68]

Well. I followed the directions fron installdr.com and installed the AAI-GM9. It took about an hour and a half...twice as long as I expected (there's no room to tuck anything neatly in an S-10 dash). I had trouble feeding the line-in cord to my units normal resting spot, which is the cd holder that is built into the arm-rest console. I tried fishing it straight down with no success....eventually I ran it out from the bottom of the glove compartment and got the rest to go through the center of the console. You can see about a three inch run of wire above the passsenger's left foot, but it's tucked neatly out of the way. The 1/8 inch mini plug has a nice tail that sticks out about 8 inches right where the archos unit sits. The aux input switch is inside the glove compartment. Overall, an OK install. Hopefully the cord doesn't wear out, I really don't want to do it again.

As far as sound quality, it's OK. It's better than the tape deck adaptor in that the bass is a little more impactful and now I have some highs that didn't seem to get through the adaptor before. It's not a night and day difference...but an improvement to be sure. To me the sound is marginal overall anyways, but I know I expect too much from the OEM delco radio. The OEM speakers are really bad and can't handle bass even at low volumes.

End result....I spent $40 for the adaptor and 1.5 hours of sweat in return for slightly better sound in the car plus the convenience of having a 1/8 inch mini line-in connect ready to go.

Thanks again RWScissors...

 

[RunsWithScissors]

Glad this info helped. I had a significant sound improvement in my '99 honda setup and have difficulty telling the difference between the CD player and my iPod in the car so it's about as good as it gets in this venue.

Sounds like you might want to upgrade your car stereo/speakers

Doh! Forget I said 'upgrade' - nobody around here likes to upgrade

Enjoy!

 

[aroon]

dont have time to read all the replies so pardon any repeats:

first, ac/delco uses mostly all proprietary conectors so if it were to work you can bet you'll have to do some splicing and stuff first. before you go out and tear anything up i highely suggest you try and find the wiring diagrams for your vehicle/tape deck etc. this is a lot easier said than done [i know, i had to find one for my car] but good luck with that =]

second, running your pdap through your car is a beautiful thing. my headunit broke down not to long ago so im now running my ipod through two amps to my stereo system and its never sounded better. yay!

lastly, i definitely dont recommend any belkin audio equipment that is powered by your car [namely the car changer with the line out port on it]. it doesnt account for noisy power from your alt./engine so everything just sounds terrible. also, its bulky, definitely not worth the 40 some odd dollars. for long trips you're better off making your own DIY battery pack and using that and for long trips you dont even need to worry about power. i just plop my ipod into my cup holder and burn rubber!