Shoyuu

The headphone port is crap. The amp is weak and you have to crank the volume on the iPod up to barely hear it out of your car speakers.

You still have to get a solution that not only plugs into the aux port, but also the 12V/120W to charge and play at the same time. If you do this, you might get some interference while charging and playing the mp3 player at the same time. There's a TSIB out for this also.

GF got me one of these for 10 bucks. It's long enough where I don't need an extension and I can close my arm rest without the wire getting in the way.

Old Oiler

I had the TSIB done for the noise filter. It completely eliminated the problem of the groundloop feedback noise.

Cheers,

Old Oiler

mikeho

I use the Harman Kardon Drive + Play 2 system. It's totally worth the $400 and everyone who gets in my car loves to play with it. I had the original Drive + Play, but I returned it because of a manufacturing defect. This way, I have a wireless controller and a 3.5" color LCD display. I store my iPod in the center console, so I never have to put it away afterward. There's enough of a gap between the console cover and the console for the display wire to come out.

This is tied to a Monster Ground Isolation Filter (I've tried about 8 different filters and this one is the best without compromising sound). Now that I found out that there's a TSIB/TSB on the port, I can finally get it fixed. I told them about it for months and months and months, but they refused to fix it, telling me there was nothing wrong with the car.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...highlight=TSIB

Joneser

While I am not an IPODer, I do use the AUX for my ZUNE... If the bar is set for a CD at a 10 in quality of sound, I will give it an 8.5 in sound... You raise the volume up to the 20 on the zune and let the stereo do the rest... It is decent considering the ML will account for the nuances in sound direction and background vocals etc... No real complaints of course for the fact that the port is in the center console.

dsclar

I am currently using the Aux input for my Squeezebox system. This is a music server interface that plays files from a hard drive on a computer. These are generally FLAC files which means they play back virtually identical to the CD that created them. Of course it is not designed for the car, but that's never stopped me.

I must admit that I'm fairly dissapointed by the quality of the sound that I am getting through that Aux jack. I am playing the same files as the cd in the dash and the difference is not subtle.

It is conceivable that the average listener may not notice the difference but it is readily apparent to me. OTOH, I'm an audio engineer. There is much less impact through the Aux input as well as a constriction of the soundstage, such as it is, not to mention a few other differences.

My plan is to ultimately inject the SP/DIF signal from the Squeezebox into the ML system. The ML uses SP/DIF to run their multichannel audio from the head unit to the amp. If I plugged right into the amp I'd probably have better sonics, but I'd likely lose phone and nav audio, and probably the volume control. It would be much better if I could inject it to the head unit somehow.

Well that is future games for me. The car only has 400 miles and I'm not eager to take it apart yet. So I'll likely stay with the Aux input for the time being. It's not that bad compared to the fact that I have 3500 of my CD's with me, but it could sure be better.

I'd love to get a schematic of the Levinson system. So far all I've seen is a wiring layout and a pinout. That is some help, but not enough. I'm hopeful that the SP/DIF signal remains full volume and the volume control is accomplished at the amplifer remotely. That would make my job much easier. Also you never really want to use digital volume controls for quality audio because as the volume gets lower it becomes less linear as there are not enough bits to resolve at low levels.

Koz

How about a 13 button RF remote that controls almost everything, including playlists.

Black - http://sector29.com/PRODUCT_PAGES/55...TIA-04015.html

White - http://www.amazon.com/TECHNOLOGY-Nav.../dp/B0007WV3IY

Koz

Kurtz

iTrader: (1)

That'd be awesome if it was actually RF.

Those are IR though so they won't work on an ipod hidden in the center console.

mikeho

Guys,

I used to use an RF remote for my car. I still have it somewhere, but I use the Drive + Play 2 system now because it shows my track info and also gives me a wireless controller.

But I digress. For those who want an RF remote, you can use this:
Targus RemoteTunes Wireless Remote for iPod (http://www.amazon.com/Targus-AER0101.../dp/B000A2ALD4). It works really well. Before, I had a velcro and strapped it to the inside of my steering wheel so I could change songs with my thumb. Note though that you won't be able to see the track info or anything if you have your iPod hidden. This solution is by far the cheapest one. Yes, it goes through the headphone prt, but if you set the headphone output at half volume, you won't get any distortion through the stereo.

If you want something that goes through the dock connector, there's this:
iJet Wireless iPod Remote (http://www.amazon.com/iJET-Wireless-...837223&sr=1-17)
or DLO Tune Stick (http://www.amazon.com/DLO-006-1000-T...837223&sr=1-11)

Ha! While writing this post, I found my original purchase order. Back in Jan 2006, I bought the iJet Wireless Remote with the Belkin Auto Charger for $39.99. It was the headphone port version and I got it from megamacs.com. The iJet that I bought and the Targus are the exact same. In fact, the iJet is the OEM version of the Targus. They're exactly the same and everything.

If you want, megamacs.com has the new dock connector version in white (http://www.megamacs.com/item/ABT-Inc...criteria,ijet/) and black (http://www.megamacs.com/item/ABT-Inc...criteria,ijet/).

I don't work for any of them, but I thought I'd help you guys out =)

IMHO, get the Drive + Play 2. Yeah, it's $400, but it's worth it. If you don't want to pay that much, get the Drive + Play from Best Buy (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1140392383763). It's $79.99. B/W LCD display and iPod-like controller. Best Buy's return policy allows you to return it within 30 days with no penalty, so it's worth checking out.

Drive + Play 2 (http://www.harmankardon.com/drive-2/)
Drive + Play (http://www.harmankardon.com/drive-1/)

Koz

I didn't even notice it was IR, Thanks!

Koz

tex2670

MUCH easier to play music off my iPod's playlists then constantly burn CDs (new songs that I may get tired of, or music for the kids that I don't want to waste space for in the CD player, or podcasting Preston & Steve if I missed it on the morning drive).

glilly

I used the AUX input with my iPod for over a year, ...I didn't mind the sound difference. But after awhile, I was wanting to "clean up" the center console (I laid my iPod on the riht side of the cupholder), I wanted more control and use of the Nav screen (not just seeing "aux" displayed). Sooooo, I finally broke down and bought a (used) VAIS ipod controller. Installation was fairly simple, and it works great. Now I have better sound, the iPod's hidden in the glove box, I can control the tracks too from the wheel and bbest off all is the Nav screen showing playlists and files. The only downside is it has to run off playlists (something I never really set up, as I typically just use the ipod as a HD of files) ...which brings me to wonder if I use the AUX input on the VAIS if it can read and display the same as the iPod as it would on a portable USB HD - guess I have to try it.

Greg

dsclar

Well I just came back form a trip from Tucson AZ via Yuma and had the Squeezebox hooked up to the Aux input. I mentioned earlier in the thread that it didn't sound as good as a cd played in the dash unit. That is still the case, but had I not made the comparison I wouldn't be complaining much.

In fact it sounded pretty darn good and it was great having access to 3500 CD's at CD quality sound. I played the system for an audiophile buddy of mine in Tucson and he thought it sounded great.

Now I don't know if I'll ever get around to using the SP-DIF input as I can see a lot of problems with that. For starters if I hooked it right up to the amp, I would probably lose the steering wheel volume control, eq and dsp as well as the muting for the phone. Yes I'd gain some sonic purity but the difference is not that great and using the aux input is fairly convenient.

Bottom line is what I have sounds far better than any iPod and I have a large screen on the Squeezebox to navigate through my music with a hand held remote.

Btw, the ASL circuitry doesn't work the way the dumbed down manual explains. If I read it right, the manual claims that it just changes the volume when the car is experiencing road noise. I don't notice much volume change, but I do hear a eq bump at around 150hz and perhaps a slight amount of dynamic compression. At first I didn't like it, but ultimatley decided to use it but turn the bass down a notch. The bottom line is that it works better on some songs than others. But it is not just a volume change as the manual says.

z4frosik

hell yea i use it, plug my ipod straight up into it, sound quality is perfect.

mushybreak

IF anyone was looking for HK Drive & Play 1 here it is for $19.99 with $5.95 shipping.

http://www.stootsi.com/store/item.aspx?item=84637923

jpaik316

I have never used the ipod jack but i think its a great idea. Always said i will go into Radio Shack and buy a wire.