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Paco500 · Jul 22, 2003, 12:26 PM

I just bought a new car w/o a tape deck and need some way to listen to the iPod. I have tried 3 different FM modulators (some cheap BestBuy model- can't remember brand, an iRock and a Griffin iTrip) and none of them offer satisfactory sound. It may be that I live in the DC area and there is just too many radio stations. The cheepy and the iRock never came in clearly at all- the iTrip has a strong signal (hands down the best of the lot) but it sounds oddly distant- not quiet exactly, but like it's really loud but far away. In addition, there is a constant high-pitched whine just loud enough to make one insane.

So crutchfield sells these in-line modulators that hook up between your antenna and stereo and provide RCA jacks for the iPod. Does anyone have experience with this setup? It is markedly better than with the other FM modulators?

Mac10 · Jul 22, 2003, 02:11 PM

The FM modulator that hooks up between your radio and the antennae is basically the same as the iRock or iTrip except it is hard wired.

You will still have to tune your radio to a certain frequency to listen to the iPod. It may sound less distant than the FM transmitters, but you will still get a bunch of interference if there are a lot of radio stations in the area.

My suggestion would be to find out if your car stereo has a way of putting an auxillary input into it. What brand is it? Pioneer has an auxillary adapter that makes use of the cd-changer input, maybe other brands have that possibility too.

Ed

Axo1ot1 · Jul 22, 2003, 03:10 PM

I got one from audiovox (search for it in this forum for a link). It has a hard connection to your sereo's antenna port and it doesn't pick up any interference at all even though I have it set to a band that is being used by a radio station in my area. The sound quality is really good (especially when using the line out on the dock).

Paco500 · Jul 22, 2003, 05:41 PM

Originally posted by Axo1ot1:
I got one from audiovox (search for it in this forum for a link). It has a hard connection to your sereo's antenna port and it doesn't pick up any interference at all even though I have it set to a band that is being used by a radio station in my area. The sound quality is really good (especially when using the line out on the dock).

Have you used an external FM modulator, ir the iRock? If so, how does it compare. Even better- have you used a cassette adapter, and how does it compare to that.

I'm not an audiophile, but in order for me to bite, it has to sound as good as the cassette adapter and a whole lot better than the iRock.

Paco500 · Jul 22, 2003, 05:45 PM

Originally posted by Mac10:
My suggestion would be to find out if your car stereo has a way of putting an auxillary input into it. What brand is it? Pioneer has an auxillary adapter that makes use of the cd-changer input, maybe other brands have that possibility too.

Ed

The stereo is a Honda stock on a 2003 Civic Si. It has inputs for a CD changer or (maybe and, i'm not sure) a cassette player- from honda. If they make such an adapter- I cannot find info about it.

Axo1ot1 · Jul 22, 2003, 06:13 PM

Originally posted by Paco500:
Have you used an external FM modulator, ir the iRock? If so, how does it compare. Even better- have you used a cassette adapter, and how does it compare to that.

I'm not an audiophile, but in order for me to bite, it has to sound as good as the cassette adapter and a whole lot better than the iRock.

I have used the belkin transmitter, another transmitter (I think from Dr. Bott or something) and a casette adapter and none of them were hearly as good as the audiovox. The only thing I've found that REDUCES the signal quality while using it is using the belkin cigarette lighter adapter while using the line out. I attribute this to the fact that the belkin device has an audio port on the part that goes into the lighter socket, which probably draws power away from the line out on the dock. I am probably going to buy a different adapter when I have some money to trhow around, but it's not that big of a deal, I just run off battery power, and listen to CDs if I run out of juice

shrink · Jul 22, 2003, 06:55 PM

As an alternative, you might want to get one of these . You can't beat a direct connection into the head unit in terms of quality, but you will have a random wire coming out of your dashboard unless you find a way to hide it tactfully. I think someone posted his installation of such a setup in his Honda Accord on these boards if you need some tips. I also started a separate thread on after market head units with front aux inputs if you're interested in that as well.

Paco500 · Jul 22, 2003, 08:18 PM

Originally posted by shrink:
As an alternative, you might want to get one of these.

THIS is what I want- thanks a gigantic ammount. I shall order with haste.

As a side note- my brother is in the same boat, but has a Saab 9-5. Have you ever seen one that works with Saabs?

Thanks again!

shrink · Jul 23, 2003, 09:24 AM

Originally posted by Paco500:
THIS is what I want- thanks a gigantic ammount. I shall order with haste.

As a side note- my brother is in the same boat, but has a Saab 9-5. Have you ever seen one that works with Saabs?

Thanks again!

Glad to help. Look here for the Saab. However, if you're brother's Saab is pre-GM, I think you'll have to use the FM modulator route.

Give logjam a call. They know their stuff. Or you can even contact the folks at http://www.pie.net . They actually make the adapters and would be able to find the right one if it exists.

Paco500 · Jul 23, 2003, 01:49 PM

Thanks again- I am, as of now, your biggest fan.