Mired in confusion over audio options
12-13-2007, 05:17 PM
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alphamale
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Mired in confusion over audio options
I have some questions about audio options in the RX-8:
1 - I've seen posts on here suggesting that some of the head units have the capability to accomodate Sirius Satellite Radio without using the OEM external add-on box. Is this true that the latest units have a Sat controller internally?
2 - What are the main differences between the AuxMod unit and the Audiolink unit? Is one clearly better than the other? My main objective would be to create an audio input jack for something like an external iPOD.
3 - Saw another post suggesting that the Bose HU has the capability to control an external CD changer. True or not?
4 - It seems like I currently would have to sacrifice my CD changer in order to be able to use the OEM MP3 CD player accessory. Is it possible that the latest firmware changes, or one in the near future, might enable the current CD changer to be able to handle MP3's or is that strictly a hardwear issue?
5 - I guess my dream configuration is to have Sirius radio (controlled by the HU), an MP3 CD player, a CD changer, and an external audio input. There are rumors about the '09 headunits already having some of these capabilities. Maybe I should just wait until then an order a new head unit, but I'm afraid that might be prohibitively expensive. Does anyone know what a stock Bose unit goes for right now?
6 - I assume that of the following, use of one precludes the use of the others: OEM Ipod adaptor, Sirius
tuner box, Phatnoise system. Also I'm assuming that the aforementioned can still be used with a CD changer or MP3 CD player, but that those latter two also cannot coexist?
Geesh. Why can't Mazda just develop a unit that can handle it all like other car manufacturers are doing!
1 - I've seen posts on here suggesting that some of the head units have the capability to accomodate Sirius Satellite Radio without using the OEM external add-on box. Is this true that the latest units have a Sat controller internally?
2 - What are the main differences between the AuxMod unit and the Audiolink unit? Is one clearly better than the other? My main objective would be to create an audio input jack for something like an external iPOD.
3 - Saw another post suggesting that the Bose HU has the capability to control an external CD changer. True or not?
4 - It seems like I currently would have to sacrifice my CD changer in order to be able to use the OEM MP3 CD player accessory. Is it possible that the latest firmware changes, or one in the near future, might enable the current CD changer to be able to handle MP3's or is that strictly a hardwear issue?
5 - I guess my dream configuration is to have Sirius radio (controlled by the HU), an MP3 CD player, a CD changer, and an external audio input. There are rumors about the '09 headunits already having some of these capabilities. Maybe I should just wait until then an order a new head unit, but I'm afraid that might be prohibitively expensive. Does anyone know what a stock Bose unit goes for right now?
6 - I assume that of the following, use of one precludes the use of the others: OEM Ipod adaptor, Sirius
tuner box, Phatnoise system. Also I'm assuming that the aforementioned can still be used with a CD changer or MP3 CD player, but that those latter two also cannot coexist?
Geesh. Why can't Mazda just develop a unit that can handle it all like other car manufacturers are doing!
Last edited by alphamale; 12-13-2007 at 05:23 PM.
12-15-2007, 09:22 AM
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The devil made me do it
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2) The main difference is that the AudioLink hooks up to the dock connector and the AuxMod connects to the headphone jack. One will control the iPod...the other will not.
3) True
4) Also true...and not correctable with a simple firmware upgrade.
5) I can tell you that they wanted some $300 just for the single disc mp3 player. So I can guarantee it will be expensive as hell. But why would you want an mp3 CD player, a CD Changer and an iPod connection? Bit of overkill ain't it?
6) The OEM iPod Adapter plugs into the CD Changer port. I believe the Sirius adapter does as well, but has a splitter. And Phatnoise plugs into the same port but can not be supported with Sirius. The internal CD Changer and mp3 CD Player can both operate with the previous...but not with each other.
You are really asking for a lot of overkill in your design. If you have an iPod with lets say 600 CDs on it, why do you need a 6 disc changer? And if you have 600 CDs on an iPod...when would you ever want to listen to satelite radio? And if you have an iPod why would you bother to burn an mp3 CD, wouldn't you just put the mp3s on your iPod?
3) True
4) Also true...and not correctable with a simple firmware upgrade.
5) I can tell you that they wanted some $300 just for the single disc mp3 player. So I can guarantee it will be expensive as hell. But why would you want an mp3 CD player, a CD Changer and an iPod connection? Bit of overkill ain't it?
6) The OEM iPod Adapter plugs into the CD Changer port. I believe the Sirius adapter does as well, but has a splitter. And Phatnoise plugs into the same port but can not be supported with Sirius. The internal CD Changer and mp3 CD Player can both operate with the previous...but not with each other.
You are really asking for a lot of overkill in your design. If you have an iPod with lets say 600 CDs on it, why do you need a 6 disc changer? And if you have 600 CDs on an iPod...when would you ever want to listen to satelite radio? And if you have an iPod why would you bother to burn an mp3 CD, wouldn't you just put the mp3s on your iPod?
12-15-2007, 12:03 PM
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alphamale
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A few clarifiations from your very helpful answers:
What I'm really looking for, I guess, is to be able to play MP3 CDs, but still retain the CD changer. Since the HU does actually have the ability to control an external changer, than is it possible to install the OEM MP3 player and use an external changer? The problem that keeps cropping up is that all these things are mutually exclusive. Per my current understanding, even if I drop the CD changer ideal and went with the MP3 player from Mazda, I still can't have Sirius cause it goes in the same port, right?
I like Sirius mostly for reasons other than music, such as the news, talk, sports, etc., and when I want music with few breaks, then thats better. I don't actually have an Ipod at the moment, and one of the reasons for that is the dearth of audio input jacks in cars. There aren't a lot of situations where I'd be roaming around with the headphones. I was looking into the auxmod/audiolink type things because I'm going to get the Sirius installed and the HU will be pulled for that, so I figured maybe I should just put one of these things in there. The other options are overkill, but only if you have the Ipod with hundreds of albums.
What did you mean when you said the Sirius unit has a "splitter"?
What I'm really looking for, I guess, is to be able to play MP3 CDs, but still retain the CD changer. Since the HU does actually have the ability to control an external changer, than is it possible to install the OEM MP3 player and use an external changer? The problem that keeps cropping up is that all these things are mutually exclusive. Per my current understanding, even if I drop the CD changer ideal and went with the MP3 player from Mazda, I still can't have Sirius cause it goes in the same port, right?
I like Sirius mostly for reasons other than music, such as the news, talk, sports, etc., and when I want music with few breaks, then thats better. I don't actually have an Ipod at the moment, and one of the reasons for that is the dearth of audio input jacks in cars. There aren't a lot of situations where I'd be roaming around with the headphones. I was looking into the auxmod/audiolink type things because I'm going to get the Sirius installed and the HU will be pulled for that, so I figured maybe I should just put one of these things in there. The other options are overkill, but only if you have the Ipod with hundreds of albums.
What did you mean when you said the Sirius unit has a "splitter"?
12-15-2007, 01:07 PM
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The devil made me do it
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I thought I saw somewhere where you could have both the factory sirius config along with the iPod adapter but the more and more I look you can't.
You do have some options though...you can go out and buy the mp3 head unit and a cd changer or you can just buy a cd changer that support mp3 and put it in your trunk.
There is also an iPod adapter that is compatible with both, cd changer or sirius, that plugs into the underside of the radio where the tape deck normally plugs in. I only know of one made by Axxess and it has had it's share of bugs but I like it. The Axxess box will take an input from Sirius or XM along with the iPod leaving the back CD Changer port open for an mp3 changer.
You do have some options though...you can go out and buy the mp3 head unit and a cd changer or you can just buy a cd changer that support mp3 and put it in your trunk.
There is also an iPod adapter that is compatible with both, cd changer or sirius, that plugs into the underside of the radio where the tape deck normally plugs in. I only know of one made by Axxess and it has had it's share of bugs but I like it. The Axxess box will take an input from Sirius or XM along with the iPod leaving the back CD Changer port open for an mp3 changer.
12-15-2007, 09:57 PM
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PUSHER ROBOT
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Bastard.
I wish I could winterize my car. Instead, I get this:
My car was in the local paper, heh. It was a suprise to me-
http://www.normantranscript.com/loca...yword=topstory
I wish I could winterize my car. Instead, I get this:
My car was in the local paper, heh. It was a suprise to me-
http://www.normantranscript.com/loca...yword=topstory
12-15-2007, 11:34 PM
#8
I zoom therefore I am.
I guess I'm just moving ahead of a curve with music. I don't even own a CD or an MP3 CD. Every song i have is on my server and backups on removable drives.
The only music I carry is in my Ipod or a thumb drive.
In my car the only thing i listen to is off the Ipod with the very rare news radio tune in for traffic updates.
If you're really looking for all of those options (i don't see any reason why, but to each their own) just do it simple and use the audio jack to plug into a walkman (that will take care of cd's and mp3) and then plug it into a portable sirrus player when you want that.
Ellegant, hell no. Easy to install and even easier to remove when you find out you're not switching between 4 or 5 audio formats with any regularity, hell yes.
The only music I carry is in my Ipod or a thumb drive.
In my car the only thing i listen to is off the Ipod with the very rare news radio tune in for traffic updates.
If you're really looking for all of those options (i don't see any reason why, but to each their own) just do it simple and use the audio jack to plug into a walkman (that will take care of cd's and mp3) and then plug it into a portable sirrus player when you want that.
Ellegant, hell no. Easy to install and even easier to remove when you find out you're not switching between 4 or 5 audio formats with any regularity, hell yes.
12-16-2007, 03:34 PM
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The devil made me do it
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Bastard.
I wish I could winterize my car. Instead, I get this:
My car was in the local paper, heh. It was a suprise to me-
http://www.normantranscript.com/loca...yword=topstory
I wish I could winterize my car. Instead, I get this:
My car was in the local paper, heh. It was a suprise to me-
http://www.normantranscript.com/loca...yword=topstory
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