Labi

I have a 2004 Rx8 with the HU firmware > 9.55. My HU does not have the 6 disc cd changer option, but the mp3 deck with the mini disk(md)/tape option button.

Right now I have an xm satallite receiver in my car currently using an fm modulator. I personally find it sounds terrible and only comes out of 3 speakers instead of all of them.

I was trying to find a way to have an RCA in, and found the P.I.E. MAZ/PC-ALP and cable (PIE ALP/M-RCA) on mazdaparts.com. I thought maybe this is a viable option since the auxmod has been sold out for so long.

I guess my question is, will this PIE connector plug into my empty MD slot at the back of my HU, and will it now utilize all speakers in my car? I don't care to control anything but the volume from my steering wheel, or care for the songs/channels to show up on the lcd. I just want better quality and to use all my speakers.

Your help is appreciated!!

Tamas

iTrader: (1)

The PIE will plug into the connector on the back of the head unit which is for external CD changers. It should work OK with the XM receiver, but if your FM sound comes only from 3 speakers, there might be a different problem than the receiver itself. I mean, it is working via an FM modulator, so essentially like a radio station.

Does your stock radio and CD player also sound from only 3 speakers? If yes, then this won't be different with using the PIE either. In that case, you got some other issue, maybe a speaker is blown or isn't properly hooked up...

Labi

This might be a stupid question, but do all head units have this external cd changer connection on the back? even if mine isnt the 6 disc changer head unit?

As for the current setup.. when using the cd/mp3 player or regular radio, it works out of all bose speakers.. but the with the fm modulator that was put into my car, it changes it to stereo it seems and I only get sound out of the front left, front right and rear center, not out of any of the others. It was a crappy job I paid too much for, lets put it that way, But I got it done way back in Jan, so not much I can do now, I really liked it back then, but thats beside the point.

So I am hoping to go another route and use the rca in and this pie and I am hoping that it will be alot better than my current setup.

Now you said it goes to the external cd changer, mine is only the mp3 deck with md/tape button, how would I switch to this?

ps. The way I got my fm modulator set up is this:

I have a little dip switch installed in my drink holder box, when the switch is on, the radio is 'killed' so there will be no interference, and I am safe to use my xm receiver or ipod (which also runs through the same fm modulator). When the switch is off, I get regular reception from the radio, but cannot play my ipod or xm. I want to remove this all together and just go with a more direct connect.

Tamas

iTrader: (1)

All head units have the necessary CD changer connector, yes. That is how the OEM SAT radio receiver or the PhatNoise MP3 jukebox is hooked up.

Get the P.I.E. MAZ/PC-ALP and PIE ALP/M-RCA, you should be fine as long as your XM receiver has a line-out connection. If the CD and the stock radio sounds good using all speakers, it'll be probably the same with XM as well.

Labi

Another noob question:

After this is all hooked up.. what button on the head unit do I push to switch over to my xm receiver to listen to it if there is actually no 6-disc changer?

Tamas

iTrader: (1)

MD/AUX, and you'll get EX 1 flashing on the display.

Labi

When I push the tape/md button right now, nothing happens. When this pie adapter is hooked up, will it know to switch over to EX 1 when its all hooked up? I dont see any other button like AUX that this will work with.

Sorry for being a noob to all this, just trying to see if I understand before I buy the adapter and cable.

Basically im asking, when I turn on the car, after everything is hooked up. I was listening to regular radio. I want to listen to my xm receiver, I turn on my xm receiver, what button do I push on my HU that will flip over to the xm receiver so it comes out of the speakers?

For cd, I have a cd button (but I only have 1 cd because I have the mp3 cd player, not a 6 disc changer), my radio, i have fm/am button, I also have a tape/md button that does nothing. How do I switch over to EX 1? I do not see an aux button or anything like that.

Sorry if i'm making you mad .. probably a stupid question :P

Tamas

iTrader: (1)

Yes, sorry, i meant TAPE / MD. If you have the PIE connected, it'll know about it and it will switch to EX 1 to activate the AUX input.