IPOD Line-Out Sound Quality Issues?
 

Thanks have to go out to l008com on his illustrated IPOD install . I also have to make special mention to Stephen Foskett and the information on the pinouts - Miata Audio Pinouts There were some other posts that were really helpful as well. I'll post my install in a different thread with thread references, and web references - I now am up and running with:
Bose Stock 6 Disc Deck - running Disc 1 RPT with 79:45 of silence.
U2 Edition IPOD - Had to get the black and red!
JL8W3V2 single 8" sub in passthrough - velocity red cover.
PG Xenon 100.4 amp - tapped BEFORE the rear amp including 12V trigger. Soon to be powering 5.25" Kicker Resolution Front separates.

Anyway...
The install took a long time, and I am still tweaking. Those friggin' AC connectors!
(Also - make sure the metal cover on the radio doesn't short out the pins that connect all of the console buttons - luckily this doesn't damage anything, just prevents the display, and any button but eject from functioning)

Problems?
I am running the IPOD with the monster ULPC DC power adaptor with line out connection. Had to get it because like the U2 ipod - it was black! Not only do I get a ground loop, but the sound is terrible, and the level way too low.
If I have the charger plugged any socket I get a ground loop with terrible humming and charging noise (no alternator whine though)
Also - the sound quality of the line out is very poor - limited dynamic range, and low level - I can turn the volume to max, and it is equivilent to may be 15 on FM.

Stop Gap Solution?
None yet - I am currently using the headphone out - much better sound - this output has highs, and bass that isn't muddy.
Can't use the charger - running off battery power only.

Does anyone have any ideas?

yeah the solution is to cut snip off the wires you soldered on...and get a Denison Icelink


it uses the HU's power so there will be no ground loop, it is crystal clear, you can control your ipod through the steering wheel controls and better yet the new one interface's with the display

oh did I mention it is plug and play and doesn't void your warranty?

Question on this solution...does the Icelink use the headphone output or the line out from the dock connector?

jds

line out from dock connector...it is one connector

this info is all based on 2nd gen or later ipods, ipod classic it is much more complicated but doable

I just did the CD Hack ting last night. Took me a whole 3 hours dis-assembling, soldering and re-assembling. It was not easy getting the main connector off as the space was really tight to get behind the radio unit. Thanx Magellen for your DIY on getting the center console off. I got to get the line out cable under the cupholders into the cig. lighter storgae compartment.

First impressions:
The sound quality from the iPOD is pretty good. I haven't yet compared it to a CD mp3.
When there is no music playing, I hear a very faint hum, which I think is coming from the blank CD.
When the iPOD is playing and I switch to the radio, I can hear some interference from the iPOD, until I switch it off. I will have to look into that.

If I had the right HU firmware (9.55 and above), I would certainly have gone the icelink route. But since I can't get a firmware upgrade from where I live, I had to go the CD hack way. But I'm pretty happy with the result so far. I will test it further in due time.

I think you guys are experiencing some nasty ground loop (well the first guy is not hotpot)

reasons for this of course is the ground loop created by plugging the ipod's power into the acc outlet and not using the hu's power, you may want to try adding
1.a ground loop isolator inline to the HU through the audio in
2.power noise line filter...in line with the power from the acc

but there are other things to consider, the power adaptor itself gives off lots of noise, depends on company...you should try a few different kinds,
some are using belkin which isn't the highest of quality, some where having great luck with the Monster one, monster IMHO is extremely overpriced and I don't like purchasing from them but if it works it works

good luck guys

I've had a bit more time to play around with the installation. Here are a few more observations.

I'm using the Belkin car adapter with my iPOD. The hum I've been getting is coming from the mini-jack line in that's been hacked onto the head unit. The hum disappears when I disconnect the mini-jack from the Belkin adapter, or when I disconnect the adapter altogether. If I connect the mini-jack line in directly to the iPOD's headphone output, I get no hum. So I guess that this is the ground loop that truemagellan was describing above. How do I add a ground loop isolator? I have no clue what that is. Some help would be most welcome here.

When the mini-jack line in is plugged into the Belkin adapter, and I try playing a normal CD or mp3 cd, the volume level from the cd is low and the sound muffled. I have to unplug the mini-jack from the Belkin adapter to get the normal sound level from the cd. Not a big hassle though.

Otherwise I have not noticed any audible difference in sound quality.

Bump

Any help on the ground loop isolator, someone? Thx.

http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...t%5Fid=270-054

One ground loop isolator option, you can also get these at Best Buy.

IPOD Need help!!!!
 

OK Guys...I'm not a Audio/Electronics do it your self kind of guy.....I am going to purchase a IPOD very soon and I want to install it in my RX8, but I dont want to use the same way I have my XM radio conec wich is thru FM modulation and you all know that you loose sound quality and loudness doing it this way.
With all that said, I was told by a friend about the Ice Link and that I can conect the Ipod directly to the radio and control it thru the steering controls and maybe see the song on the stock display.....this sounds great.....where???? who??? and how can I get this link and is there any body that have done it???? Install instructions???
I would really apreciate any info on this please!!!

Chris.

www.rx8garage.net talk to owner 'thew' heis around here a lot