look, the ipod hook up is EASY. it takes up less space, it's easier to hide, and you don't have to store all your cd's someplace.
here's what ya do.....
get an ipod.
go to your local stereo shop or shop online, but beware that alot of these products do not carry a warranty if purchased online.
the first thing you need is a PAC a/v output adapter. this will provide an audio signal output and charge your ipod while driving.
next you'll need a PAC lc-1 volume control. this will allow you to control the volume. most shops use these for subwoofer control, but it's really just a potientometer. should be easy to disguise it with a dashknob. you need this, because when use the ipod output instead of the headphone jack, you will not have volume capability on the ipod itself.
these 2 parts should run around 50 bucks^^^^^^^^^
next you'll need an amplifier. any amp with rca inputs will do. for a small, clean, and cool running amp, i suggest the alpine PDX series. they're digital so you can stash them anywhere and not worry about them running hot. and they are pretty small for a powerful amp. not the cheapest, but very good.
of course you'll need speakers too.
mount your amplifier wherever you choose. be sure to put an inline fuse at least 12" from the battery. next hook up your speakers to the amplifier. speaker placement will depend on type of car etc.., so i won't go into that.
mount your LC-1 behind the dash, or inder or wherever. the knob just pulls off a splined shaft, and a small 8mm nut holds it in the mount. i usually remove it from the mounting box for more custom installations.
run an rca from the output side of the LC-1 to the input side of your amplifier.
next choose a spot you want your ipod. you'll need to run an rca from the a/v adapter cable to the input side of the LC-1. you'll also need a 12+ and ground wire run to the a/v cable to charge your ipod while driving.
ok, after all this is done, plug in your ipod to the a/v cable. make sure the gain control on the amplifier is all the way down. turn the LC-1 all the way up. choose a song and play it on the ipod. while the song is playing, adjust the amplifiers gain control up until the music starts to distort. now back off a bit and you've set your volume at max and should help your equipment live a long full life. ( if you amp has a crossover network, i usually set the x-over point at around 120hz highpass. it eliminates alot of distortion and will allow higher volumes. it's not the the most accurate for fine tuning, but in a car with loud exhaust, squeaks, etc...volume is a bit more important!)
so there ya go, everything you need to use an ipod in your car without the use of a headunit, or cheesy ipod speakers.
here's what ya do.....
get an ipod.
go to your local stereo shop or shop online, but beware that alot of these products do not carry a warranty if purchased online.
the first thing you need is a PAC a/v output adapter. this will provide an audio signal output and charge your ipod while driving.
next you'll need a PAC lc-1 volume control. this will allow you to control the volume. most shops use these for subwoofer control, but it's really just a potientometer. should be easy to disguise it with a dashknob. you need this, because when use the ipod output instead of the headphone jack, you will not have volume capability on the ipod itself.
these 2 parts should run around 50 bucks^^^^^^^^^
next you'll need an amplifier. any amp with rca inputs will do. for a small, clean, and cool running amp, i suggest the alpine PDX series. they're digital so you can stash them anywhere and not worry about them running hot. and they are pretty small for a powerful amp. not the cheapest, but very good.
of course you'll need speakers too.
mount your amplifier wherever you choose. be sure to put an inline fuse at least 12" from the battery. next hook up your speakers to the amplifier. speaker placement will depend on type of car etc.., so i won't go into that.
mount your LC-1 behind the dash, or inder or wherever. the knob just pulls off a splined shaft, and a small 8mm nut holds it in the mount. i usually remove it from the mounting box for more custom installations.
run an rca from the output side of the LC-1 to the input side of your amplifier.
next choose a spot you want your ipod. you'll need to run an rca from the a/v adapter cable to the input side of the LC-1. you'll also need a 12+ and ground wire run to the a/v cable to charge your ipod while driving.
ok, after all this is done, plug in your ipod to the a/v cable. make sure the gain control on the amplifier is all the way down. turn the LC-1 all the way up. choose a song and play it on the ipod. while the song is playing, adjust the amplifiers gain control up until the music starts to distort. now back off a bit and you've set your volume at max and should help your equipment live a long full life. ( if you amp has a crossover network, i usually set the x-over point at around 120hz highpass. it eliminates alot of distortion and will allow higher volumes. it's not the the most accurate for fine tuning, but in a car with loud exhaust, squeaks, etc...volume is a bit more important!)
so there ya go, everything you need to use an ipod in your car without the use of a headunit, or cheesy ipod speakers.
