Hi All,

I'm trying to figure out the best option so that I can listen to MP3/WMA in my 2007 GT RX8. None of them are particularly appealing.

Note: I've searched and read what feels like a 100 threads on this, so don't flame me. Also, sorry for the long post. This is more of a rant than anything else.

1. IPOD and adapter (AudioLink etc.)

Never owned an IPOD, wasn't planning on it, except it seems to be one of the few options that allows control of the MP3 player itself. However, I have a fairly large library of ripped CD's. I really don't feel like importing them all into iTunes so I can sync them with an IPOD. I already have a small, flash based MP3 player (SANSA Clip) that I use when working out and Windows Media Player does a great job of syncing my library and playlists with that. So now I'd be using two pieces of software to manage my music library... sucks...

My original plan was to use a Zune 80 so I could sync music wireless from my car via my wireless LAN. Still stuck with proprietary software of course. However, I posted a separate thread and did some searching and it seems there are no adapters for the Zune that will allow control from the factory head unit/steering wheel.

2. Phatnoise

Seems like a reasonable system, especially if you pick up one on ebay, flash it with the Mazda firmware and install it yourself. However, I saw a thread claiming it was incompatible with the 2007 head unit (perhaps just a particular firmware?). Plus I believe you have to use proprietary software to load the Phatnoise cartridges as well, so doesn't seem like there is much advantage over the IPOD.

3. USB based adapter (Audiolink, others?)

Simple solution, but not sure if I like having to store songs in 6 specific folders, and being limited to approx 594 tracks (although I could live with that limitation). I guess I could use my Sansa player since it's just a USB mass-storage device with a USB port, although I'd probably just buy a thumbdrive or SD card. However, I lose playlists and of course no track information displayed anywhere. Also, Windows Media Player doesn't seem to have many options to customize how music is sync'd to a device in this situation (not a playsforsure device). If I could set it up to automatically sync music to those 6 specific folders, I'd be pretty sold on the USB option. Perhaps some other media player software does support this?

4. MP3 CD player from Mazda

This is tempting, but I do like having the 6-CD head unit when I want to listen to straight CDs. Also, I see a few complaints about it being kind of lacking in features and having some issues with skipping and compatibility.

5. Aux input using Audiolink or similar

Works with anything, but no control of course. I think you get this with the Audiolink IPOD and USB adapters so may as well go with IPOD or USB in this case.


Seriously, why is this so hard? My wife's STOCK Scion TC plays WMA/MP3s from a disc that I burnt 6 years ago on a cheap CDR. It displays file name information, can browse folders, files etc. Every cheap DVD player for at least the last 5 years or so can play MP3s and WMAs from a CD. So Mazda, I have to ask... wtf?

At this point I'm leaning towards the USB/thumbdrive option. I know plenty of other people out there have gone through this, perhaps you guys can make some suggestions based on your experiences.

Thanks.

Buy the OEM mp3 player...I had the 6 disk changer but it broke so i bought the mp3 player and works great!!

Mazda 3 has MP3 changer since '06, other line-up except RX-8 have the same option since '07, some came with aux in '07... Mazda is messing with RX-8 owner. Finally... similar system will be available in '09 RX-8 with Aux-in.

Question then will we be able to retro this into earlier models?

Newer HU has very limited options since the firmware is most likely 9.81 or 10.01, which does not work with aftermarket adapters, I don't know about OEM ipod adapter, I hope that OEM does work since it is from Mazda. Both ipod and Phatnoise are still optional accessories for '08 RX-8, so they should work, even with 9.81 and 10.01.

Auxmod (or similar that uses MD/Cassette connector) is another option you might want to consider, but no USB option.

I have the OEM mp3 player and an FM transmitter. That way I can listen to my ipod or iriver if I'm tired of my mp3 cd.

the axxess controler will show id3 info on your HU, but doesn't have the best track record atm. They've had a firmware upgrade that was suppose to fix most issues.

I'd suggest the thumb drive option on the audiolink

I would recommend the AudioLink adapter w/ USB memory reader. You can just use the 1/8" cable to plug into your music player or use a USB memory stick. I don't think the 99 song/folder or 6 folder limitation is a big issue. You wouldn't want to put your entire library on this system because unlike your music player or computer it's more difficult to navigate around because you don't have a nice display to show folder/artist/song information. What I do is just put a few artists in each folder with similar styles. Like CD01 will be 80's hits, CD02 will be Rock, etc. You can have subfolders so it's no big deal to just drag and drop an entire album into each of the six folders. It will go into each subfolder and play all the songs before moving to the next folder of the "disc".

I would recommend the AudioLink adapter w/ USB memory reader. You can just use the 1/8" cable to plug into your music player or use a USB memory stick. I don't think the 99 song/folder or 6 folder limitation is a big issue. You wouldn't want to put your entire library on this system because unlike your music player or computer it's more difficult to navigate around because you don't have a nice display to show folder/artist/song information. What I do is just put a few artists in each folder with similar styles. Like CD01 will be 80's hits, CD02 will be Rock, etc. You can have subfolders so it's no big deal to just drag and drop an entire album into each of the six folders. It will go into each subfolder and play all the songs before moving to the next folder of the "disc".

Yeah. After laying it all out in the post I came to the same conclusion. Although someone mentioned I may have issues with my firmware version and the current USB adapters such as AudioLink since I have a 2007. I'll have to research this before ordering. Thanks.

here's the audiolink thread, the first page tells you how to check your firmware and which firmware version are not compatible

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=77790

4. MP3 CD player from Mazda

This is tempting, but I do like having the 6-CD head unit when I want to listen to straight CDs. Also, I see a few complaints about it being kind of lacking in features and having some issues with skipping and compatibility.

This is the best option. It's cheap, and it plays regular audio cds as well as cd's burned with data mp3s.

I've had one for 3 years, zero issues. It even reads the ID3 tags and displays author, filename, song name, etc on your dash.

the axxess controler will show id3 info on your HU, but doesn't have the best track record atm. They've had a firmware upgrade that was suppose to fix most issues.

I'd suggest the thumb drive option on the audiolink

Not a firmware upgrade...but a hardware upgrade. If you go this route make sure you have Revision F hardware.

Yeah. After laying it all out in the post I came to the same conclusion. Although someone mentioned I may have issues with my firmware version and the current USB adapters such as AudioLink since I have a 2007. I'll have to research this before ordering. Thanks.

I have a 2007 also. Firmware was fine for the AudioLink. Just check your firmware version of the head unit using the steps posted earlier.

I have the 6 disc changer and wish I went with the MP3 player instead. You can burn a CD with hundreds of songs this way. Simple. Done.

Spoke to RPM store via email. Seems AudioLink USB adapter will work with my firmware (9.82) but what holds me back is that is plays only MP3. Most of my music is in WMA and WMA lossless. I'd have to transcode any tracks I want to listen to in my car. Not terrible, I could live with that, but it's a pain since I don't think I can set up Windows Media Player to automatically transcode to MP3 when sync'ing to a thumbdrive.

tidmutt: I'm echoing your complaint, but I also just hooked up the usb/audiolink yesterday. I'm a zune user (refusing iPods! lol), and also a zune subscription user. I've already been in the habit of un-drm-ing my music, and found a handy utility that converts wma to mp3 very quickly. I feel your pain with the multiple software/hardware thing, but this solution really isn't bad. The audiolink came with a free sd/mmc-usb adapter, which is perfect for me since I happen to have lots of those cards laying around. 256mb and 512mb sd/mmc cards and usb drives are a dime a dozen these days, so I'm happy!

A new Ipod/aux adapter by DICE with ipod text support. Works with HU with "SAT" only.

http://www.diceelectronics.com/Merchant/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=DETEST01&Product_Code=i-Mazda-R2&Category_Code=DICE_IPOD_MAZDA

From the way it reads, it looks like it simulate as sirius and uses the text function as well as the SAT button

tidmutt: I'm echoing your complaint, but I also just hooked up the usb/audiolink yesterday. I'm a zune user (refusing iPods! lol), and also a zune subscription user. I've already been in the habit of un-drm-ing my music, and found a handy utility that converts wma to mp3 very quickly. I feel your pain with the multiple software/hardware thing, but this solution really isn't bad. The audiolink came with a free sd/mmc-usb adapter, which is perfect for me since I happen to have lots of those cards laying around. 256mb and 512mb sd/mmc cards and usb drives are a dime a dozen these days, so I'm happy!

just curious... what utility are you using to convert wma to MP3?

Another option that I forgot to mention in the initial post:

6) Trunk Mounted 6-disc CD Changer/MP3 player

I believe the RX8 head unit supports a trunk mounted CD Changer in addition to the 6-Disc changer in the dash? I've searched but couldn't find a definitive answer on this. Assuming it can, then perhaps I could install an after market changer that can play MP3/WMAs.

Anyone know if this is possible?