It works and its plug and play!!! Based on some news that a guy on the Miata board had been successful in using the PIE Alpine CD Changer adapter with an Alpine M-Bus RCA input adpater I thought I would risk the $80 and give it a shot.

There is a post on this board with a quote from a PIE representative claiming the CD Changer adapter would not work in this manner, this does not look to be the case.

The CD button now allows you to switch between the single in dash CD player and what it thinks is an "external" cd changer, in this mode the display flashes EX 1. In my case I used a Rio S35S for the test. Works fine, quality is great, I have no ground loop noise as some reported on the Miata board while using an iPod mini with the same adaptor.

See pics below.

http://www.nomisco.com/rx8/Alpine1.jpg
http://www.nomisco.com/rx8/Alpine2.jpg
http://www.nomisco.com/rx8/Alpine3.jpg

Parts:

Alpine MAZ/PC - ALP, CD Change adapter $76.99, www.pie.net, no Alpine CD changer is required to make this work, although you could add alpine's 6 Disc CD/MP3 player for $260 if wanted.

Alpine M-BUS Input Apapter $19.99, connects to the MAZ/PC via M-Bus and gives you RCA inputs. $19.99

Total Cost: $96

Install, 25 minutes:
Remove shift ****, center console, cigarette lighter tray, 2 screws under the AC controls, security bolt on drivers side of radio, gently pull the radio out while using some small screw drivers for leverage, remove AC harness, remove main radio harness.

Plug in Alpine MAZ/PC adapter to the unused 16 pin port on the rear of the radio. Reassemble.

Utilize the CD button to switch between the external source and the CD player.

S

Update
----------------------------
Original Miata Net post
http://forum.miata.net/ubb/ultimateb...=006508#000006

Grounding and Line Noise:
I have not had any issues yet, but I have also not run my MP3 player off car power. A Ground Loop Isolator may be required in some cases or grounding the line-in would also work as the PIE connector does not use the ground pins on the J-02 connector (16 pin connector).

PIE Pin usage
-------------------


__________________________________________________ ____________________________

BRITSTI has allowed me to put these updates on the first post, so that they are more easily accessible.

Please reply with information that is missing from this list, and if you have tried this mod, please reply with the information here.

GOOD

Owner - BOSE/Base - NAV/No-NAV - CD/CD6/MP3 - MD/TAPE/None - soft. rev. - notes

BritSti - BOSE - NAV - CD - n/a - 9.55 - (issues when NAV is up)
affenage - BOSE - noNAV - CD - n/a - 9.55
liquid - BOSE - noNAV - CD6 - n/a - 9.55
bobclevenger - BOSE - NAV - MP3 - n/a - 9.67 - (some issues requiring cd button, head unit replaced)
Southsider - Base - noNAV - n/a - 9.67
RX8J - BOSE - noNAV - CD6 - None - 9.67
bxb40 - Base - n/a - n/a - n/a - n/a
WHealy - BOSE - noNAV - CD6 - n/a - n/a
project - BOSE - noNAV - CD - n/a - n/a
Tamas - Base - noNAV - CD - n/a - 9.55
eXcentric - n/a - n/a - n/a - n/a - 9.55
G8rboy - BOSE - NAV - CD6 - Tape - 9.55

NO-GOOD

Owner - BOSE/Base - NAV/No-NAV - CD/CD6/MP3 - MD/TAPE/None - soft. rev. - notes

AWillsea - BOSE - NAV - CD6 - n/a - 9.53
flyboyindy - n/a - NAV - n/a - n/a - 9.50
Driver8 - BOSE - noNAV - CD - n/a - 9.50
Yuhki - BOSE - noNAV - CD6 - n/a - 9.53
Overload - BOSE - noNAV - MP3 - TAPE - 9.53
thew - BOSE - NAV - CD6 - n/a - 9.53
MazdaMania - BOSE - noNAV - CD6 - n/a - 9.40
martinl78 - BOSE - NAV - CD - n/a - 9.53

As per MazdaRadioDoc, to check your head unit's software code: Power the radio on, then press and hold the text and preset 1 buttons at the same time (you might need to start pressing the text button slightly before the preset 1 button). The Software version should be in the display. '04 vers. 9.40/9.50/9.53/9.55, and '05 ver. 9.67 (poss. SAT compatible).

"EX-1" may still blink, even though the aux input is working.

(last updated: 9/5/04)

 

Great post, people have tried all manner of ways to get something similar going, this one is pretty simple to do.

 

Fantastic news.

 

I don't understan how can I install it and which Mazda components I need.
Can I install an Ipod on rx-8 with nav system and multi cd changer (6cds)
Thanks

www.pie.com is wrong

 

http://www.pie.net/pcmazda.htm

 

Can I install an Ipod on rx-8 with nav system and multi cd changer (6cds) and use them?
I see only a bus (1 imput and 1 output) on the product

 

Is there a player that read either 6cds than mp3 cd.
Where Can I find it?
Work with this adaptor?

 

My RX8 has nav, no oem mazda cd changer though. The part I am describing is an aftermarket converter which is meant to allow the use of an external Alpine CD Changer. As long as the 16 pin port on the back of radio is free you should be all set.

 

The oem mazda cd changer does not read mp3s. This adapter would allow you to use an Alpine CD changer which can play MP3 CDs.

 

I am going to give this a shot. I have been waiting for too long for a solution. I hope this wasn't something unique about your setup. Fingers crossed. Its only money.

 

lets see how this works out.. ill have to jump on it afta my vegas trip perhaps this and an iPOd will do me fine for now.. as i slowly work on my carputer..

 

Which Alpine model read mp3 and multy cd?

 

I can't find any company that sells this gear that is willing to ship internationally. Dead annoying.

 

I see that CHA-S634 is an mp3 multi cd player.
It has Ai-NET connector. Can I use with MAZ/PC - ALP?

I see also the original product KCA-130B Cavo Adattatore MiniBus per CD Changer MP3 (CHA-S634). This transform Ai-Net connector to Mbus connector (13Euro).

So whith Alpine CHA-S634 + Alpine KCA-130B = about xxx+15Euro =xxxEuro I'm installing mp3 multi player on my rx-8 and I could control the cd player from the radio.

Is it right? Why should I buy MAZ/PC - ALP?
Thanks

 

You have the right parts and idea there. The CD Changer you note is Ai-Net only, thus it needs to be converted to M-Bus.

Without the MAZ/PC adpater you would have no way of hooking the Alpine CD changer to the stereo. The MAZ/PC adapter is MBUS only, thus the need for the converter.

 

CHA-S634 (Multi cd changer with mp3) + Alpine KCA-130B (is the converter from Ai-Net to M-Bus)
Now cannot connect this Mbus connector directly to my rx-8?

 

How? There is no MBUS connector on the Mazda stereo. That's why they make an adapter.

My question...what exactly will this allow you to do? For iPods or whatever its just an aux in, no way to control the iPod other than via the iPod itself...unless there is an MBus-to-iPod interface somewhere? For its intended use, i.e. hooking up an Alpine changer...I'm guessing you can control the changer from the head unit/steering wheel. Does it have the ability to display ID3 tags like the stock MP3 playet? I'm betting no, unfortunately.

jds

 

Sounds like this is the magic bullet for all of us trying to run aux-in to the head unit.

Sweet action

 

Hazaaaaa. Found a UK supplier. Mines on it's way.

 

the site is www.pie.net

 

thank you thank you
could you post a link to the miata msgs since I couldn't find them. I may want to see how they are dealing with the noise issue.
Have the parts. Bought them a couple of months ago, but when the PIE folks claimed it wouldn't work, I never tried it. hehehehe I know what I am doing on Saturday!
whoopeee!
thanks again!
my ipod thanks you too!

 

BritSti,

Could you please be so kind as to list the part numbers and possibly the exact URLs you used to purchase the MAZ/PC - ALP adapter as well as the M-Bus to RCA adaptor?

I browsed around www.pie.net and I was able to locate the MAZ/PC adaptor but not at the price you listed. I haven't been able to find the MBUS to RCA adaptor you referred to. I just want to make sure I get the right parts.

Sorry if I've missed something. I know what parts you're referring to because I've seen similar products. I'd just feel much better buying the exact ones you've bought because we know the combination works (and you also seem to have gotten a decent price on them).

Regards,

eXe

 

Can someone save me the time of pulling my car apart? I am wondering if the Bose Stereo with cd changer (no nav) has this 16 pin plug on the back? Can anyone verify this for me?

This is a huge find IMHO!! Best of luck to everyone that can take advantage!

-RX8J

 

BOSE with no nav has it.

 

Does the Bose with the changer have it? (or maybe both with and without is what you meant??)

Sorry for the misunderstanding ... I am still not clear

-RX8J