Direct iPod/MP3 integration?

[talonalex92]

Ok, ill make this long story short. I don't use my cd player, I use my iPod. I run my iPod off of the aux. Line on my cd deck. Is there anyway to eliminate the middle man (cd player) and wire a female plug, or something so I can just plug my iPod into that? Essentially, I want my speakers to be the "headphones'' Im not sure if possible, or im high hoping. Let the discussion begin!

 

[Jeff99GS]

You would Need at least a small amp to supply sound to the speakers.

 

[knochgoon24]

^ x2, an amp is needed. You iPod has no where near the power to put any decent sound out of the speakers.

 

[talonalex92]

Ok, so ill amp the speakers. Then what? Would I need a cable to plug my iPod in on end, then RCA's on the other? Elaborate!

 

[Jeff99GS]

You need this plug from Radio Shack. You will Plug the RCA end into the Inputs of the Amp. Then you will plug the other end into your iPod's headphone jack.
RadioShack.com - Cables, Parts & Connectors: Connectors & connectivity: A/V connectors & adapters: 3-Ft. Gold Series Stereo Y-Cable, Phono Plugs to 1/8" Jack

 

[Defiant]

Aftermarket radios with the stuff to deal with iPods, including complete control, are out there for a hundred bucks these days.
Otherwise, what you're trying to do is already being done by the AUX socket on the face of the radio. Why complicate it?

 

[Jeff99GS]

^^ 1+


Also it's much easier to raise and lower the volume from the radio than a tiny Ipod. Not to mention the amp+wires will weight as much as a radio anyway. So there is NO real benefit to doing what you want to do.

 

[talonalex92]

Thanks for the link and picture! I know about the iPod control, I have that. I don't like it, the way the 2g console sits and the shfter is, I hit my cable everytime, and I just don't like it. I don't want to use my radio, and the main idea of this was to make a small cleaner enclosure for my gauges, and afc. See gallery for current setup. Im not concerned about loud ness, I rarely use the iPod at all, silence is golden in my car, but for some long trips, it was just a thought. Thanks!

 

[Jeff99GS]

No problem. I see what you're trying to do. You need a tiny amp or power booster. Alpine makes a mini amp that would work great, and fit anywhere. Just get a 2 channel amp. Unless you have a 4 channel output on your Ipod.
As far as I know the Ipod will only put out a Left and a right. NO front and rear. You can just run the front and rear together on the amp making it Left and Right Stereo.

I have the same wire in my car, cause my radio has an aux input. So I plugged the RCA end into the back of my radio and ran the 1/8" headphone jack into my Center consol. Then I just plug my phone into it and I can keep it in the consol and listen to my music. Its great cause if my phone rings it mutes the music!

 

[talonalex92]

That's sweet! I was thinking that about the left/right issue, ill just do what you said, make it front/rear stereo. As for an amp, I have a really cheap wal*mart "rage" or something generic, its like 200 watts, I figure that would work? My plan is to take the factory speaker wires from the harness behind the cd, and just extend them to the amp, that way no ruining of connectors or taking it back to a cd deck is still an option.

 

[Jeff99GS]

Just watch out with those cheap amps, they will give you a lot of ROAD NOISE. It sounds like a whistling sound coming from the speakers. It will fallow the revs of the engine.

What I meant about the speakers was to wire them left and right NOT front and rear. Most songs DON'T fade front to rear, they always fade LEFT to RIGHT (stereo)

So what you need to do is wire the FRONT RIGHT +/- with the REAR RIGHT +/-

And the FRONT LEFT +/- with the REAR LEFT +/-

Then into the amps LEFT and RIGHT channels!

 

[talonalex92]

Oh gotcha! I re-read what you said and that makes better sense. Ive always had my sound systems in the trunk, would I be ok to put an amp under the passenger seat or somewhere in cab?

 

[Jeff99GS]

This may help!

Yeah it's NO problem to put the amp under the seat. Just make sure you use the appropriate size power/ground wires.

 

[knochgoon24]

So let me get this straight. You want to completely eliminate the stereo and fill the empty double din with gauges. Then for music, you just want a wire to plug you ipod into your car speakers.

Ok... I see.

They make some amps that have a remote to control the volume. You might want to look for one of those.

 

[talonalex92]

Jeff, thanks! That's what I've been waiting for to confirm myself, I would have made one but I browse and post on my phone (sidekick lx) and can't.
Knooch, essientially yes. The iPod does have a volume control, and its not going to cost me any money, and ill have my center vents back. The first owner of this car had a stereo in it, and when it was shipped to me, all the wires were there, all hooked up. Minus the (+) of course. I don't know, to each their own! Ps. I like the color of your car, factory?