Line In? AUX Input? PIE?
 

I have the Harmon Kardon Drive + Play. Right now I'm playing it wirelessly through FM. I want to use the RCA line out feature on it and hook it up to our AUX input. How do I do that?

Do I just need the PIE ALP/M-RCA ($14.50)?

Or do I also need the P.I.E. MAZ/PC-ALP Aux Input Converter ($74.50)?

Is there another (cheaper) way?

I run mine through the hard wired transmitter ($14-20 at Best Buy after a price match with target online). There's some slight hissing when little music plays or gaps between songs, and you lose some of the volume, but for the price it is not a bad deal. I drive a lot with my sunroof and windows open and there's plenty of volume from the Ipod.
Nergal

cheaper than 14.50? you really would want to listen to your music through anything cheaper than that?

Nono... I meant cheaper than the $74.50+14.50 = $89.00 option...

WikkedOne, so are you saying that if i only get the PIE ALP/M-RCA it'll work? No need to get the P.I.E. MAZ/PC-ALP Aux Input Converter as well?

oh - I didnt realize you needed both.. I've never used them or read about them. I always used the auxmod for about 50.. Do a search.. Its just a chip that goes on the bottom of the hu where the tape player would be.. Cheap and simple. Cant beat that

You must get both. The M-RCA alone will not suffice.

Also, in case your car is a 2004 or early 2005, check if the head unit firmware version is at least 9.55 otherwise the MAZ/PC-ALP won't work. You can find the steps to display the firmware if you search this forum; it's simple, but I forgot how exactly is it done. I believe it's something like pressing and holding the TEXT button then turning on the head unit or something like that.

Wierd Sound issues...
 

Hello Folks,

New RX-8 owner here who took the plunge and went with a Stormy Blue Mica, 2007 Touring.

I chose the PIE/aux input path for my MP3 player and encountered a strange glitch once everything was back together.

Installation was mostly a breeze, some of the connectors were a right pain to disconnect, but the PIE adapter fits perfectly behind the radio and pretty snug too.

My head unit firmware is v9.82 and is the Bose 6-disc version.

My problem is this, the sound coming out of the system sounds... well, off. It is as if the head unit is expecting 5.1 channels and is getting 2 so it plays just the two. Center speaker isn't putting out anything but left and right seem to be playing sound but frequencies are missing. Is there some kind of audio processing that the head unit is trying to do that my MP3 player (or PIE) adapter isn't delivering? Could the adapter be faulty? I'm pretty sure the 16-pin connector is in there pretty snug. The Radio sees it, and I can select EX 1. :dunno:

Oh bugga,

The problem was in the Ground Loop Isolator inline with the input source. It is either faulty or just really sucks. :banghead:

I removed it and re-ran the auxiliary cable and the sound is terrific now. I am so relieved. :rolleyes:

Figured I'd post this as an FYI.

Cheers!

Ground Loop Isolators SUCK! Its like taking a stereo signal and turning it into 1920's Mono! Its THAT BAD. Avoid them at all costs.

Unless you are using a audio source powered from your car...for example an ipod with a car charger.

thanks for the info, mine sounded pretty bad and i think that was why too.