Hey guys,
I am wanting to do a hidden stereo system on my truck. I plan to buy a mp3 player to sit in a tray that will drop down from under dash. I dont want a mp3 player that uses CDs and it needs at least 3.0gb memory. What I also need to know is can I just use the 1/8" headphone jack as input for the amp? What about volume control? Does anyone have a portable MP3 player that you would recommend? From what I have seen online the dell dj may be better for my application than the ipod but I have not played with either.
Thanks for any help.

 

I don't know anything about direct Ipod application but if you buy an Alpine deck with Ai-net ready as a feature, you can buy the Ipod adapter and get superior sound quality. I think if you were using the headphone jack to run the amp and do it like that, the sound quality would be pretty terrible. Just my opinion.

 

Lots of people were having problems with Ipod mini's.... They just, suck... One was just bought over Xmas.. and its already crashing..

 

Creative has a 10Gb mp3 player that can be adapted for use in a car


Yup!

 

Get a 20 gig ipod, they are the best mp3 players on the market, no one can come close. Plus you can use it as storage if need be, works with both mac and pc. Or car stereo in you case. Get apple care on it, covers the screen battery pretty much everything.

 

I have a 15gb iPod and I love it! I dont think I would ever get the mini. Its like the Jeep Cherokee and the Jeep Liberty. Everyone knows one of them is designed for women.

 

Well I went to the usual stores to look at some players, but couldnt find any other than the ****ty little ones. Did you buy yours locally or online Ken? I was thinking of getting the mini Ipod because I may need to fit it in a smaller spot than I first planned and 5gb is more than I need anyhow.
I dont understand how the sound quality would be worse. You are just taking the signal that goes to the earpiece and making it louder through the amp/speakers. How is that different than the output of a normal head unit? Or is that a digital signal until the amp while this will be analog to the amp?
I use a 1/8" to RCA jacks to connect my PC to my stereo all the time and it sounds just fine to me. Granted I dont have the best ear for music but if thats what its going to sound like in my truck I will be happy.
On another note, I just got my bank statement tonight and I think I may wait a month or 2 until I buy more stuff . Maybe by then I will have had a chance to play with a Ipod and a Dell DJ.
Cheers.

 

Cory, Alpine makes the KCA-420i Ipod for your car. The interface adapter links the Ipod to the car stereo with no wires. It charges while you drive too.

 

If you want a good, custom system done the guy my dad hooked me up with did an amazing job on my car! The guy @ audio video told me that he was the "best installer in the lower mainland." He was showing my pictures of brand new BMWs and everything he does up, and any time I go for something new he is always working on something with a lot of high-end expensive equipment. He's in Burnaby/New West right on the dividing line. If you want to give him a shot, let me know and I can send you his URL!

 

I bought mine at Future Shop maybe 4 months ago. It was an opened box but the unit was still brand new and all the packages inside the box were still sealed. Getting the extended warranty is definatly a plus. Its pretty much a replacement warranty on anything. So... lets say in three years my battery only lasts two hours instead of the 8 its supposed to I just take it back. If a 30 GB iPod is the new base model, then I've just upgraded for no addtional cost!

 

Ok, thanks Ken, I will try them again in a couple of weeks. Maybe just out of stock from Xmas. Thanks Jimbo, but I can handle the install myself. Need to fab up some brackets to hold the speakers and a swing down arm for the head unit and I am far too cheap to pay other people to do stuff like that .
Thanks for the info Steve but I really dont think I need that. Looks like I would have to buy one of their head units too. I cant see any reason why Ipod-> Amp->speakers wouldnt work so long as the Ipod has the functions I need (volume control, equalizer or settings etc) I guess we will find out, otherwise I will have an Ipod as well as a new MP3 player head unit. I guess I could live with that .