direct line-in audio input?

[David J.]

I have a '04 Forester with 6-disk CD changer (no cassette desk). I
would like to find out (with out pulling out the whole stereo) if
there is any way to get a direct line-in audio input. I want to plug
my iPod into the stereo via a direct connection.

The dealer has already told me that there is no direct audio input in
the stereo (AM/FM/Weatherband/6-disk CD changer) -- does anyone
disagree? It would seem that I might have to get a new stereo unit if
I want a direct line-in feature -- and I'm not sure if it is worth the
price...

It would help if I could sell the factory stereo... is there a market
for this?

About my listening preferences: I've used a cassette adapter in my
previous vehicle and wasn't satisfied with the audio quality. All my
MP3's are encoded at high quality VBR -- so I'll be able to hear
imperfections from a bad connection. I'd prefer to stay away from FM
splicers or FM transmitters, because I know that FM cannot carry the
same fidelity as a direct line-in.

David

 

[Joseph]

It doesn't make sense that there is no audio input - but then why is anybody
building car stereo's that can't handle mp3s?

If you decide to upgrade check out this link:
http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S-x6JsizDia2Z/ProdGroup.asp?c=3&s=0&g=62700&cc=01&avf=Y

It is a search I ran on Crutchfield . They have a database that can tell
what sterios and speakers fit your car.
I am planning to upgrade the sterio in my 03 Forester X and I may go with
the Aiwa CDC-X30MP CD/MP3 Receiver partly because it has an audio input
right on the front so you can plug in mp3 players or whatever.

Probably no market for the old sterio because Subaru has a reputation for
poor sound. Of course u can always put it on ebay and see what happens.

BTW, what about your speakers ? Mine have very muddy bass and I plan to
replace those too.

-Joseph

 

[S]

Hi David!

I have a '04 Forester with 6-disk CD changer (no cassette desk). I
would like to find out (with out pulling out the whole stereo) if
there is any way to get a direct line-in audio input. I want to plug
my iPod into the stereo via a direct connection.

If it's like the changer supplied with my '02 WRX (and I'll bet it
is), there is no line input. I suppose it would be possible to reverse
engineer the head wiring to add a set of line level inputs, perhaps
selected instead of the weather radio, but given that all functions
are accessed digitally (as opposed to a mechanical switch; aah for the
good ol' days ;-), it would probably prove rather challenging.
The FM adaptors do work pretty well; doubt you'd be able to tell any
difference in a mobile application unless you a) had spent a fair bit
of money and effort on speaker upgrades, and b) were parked with the
engine off while listening.
Outside of the FM adaptor, if you want .mp3 capability, you will have
to get another head unit. I can recommend the Alpine .mp3 capable 6
disk changer (CHA634?), coupled to an appropriate Alpine head. The
changer can be found on line, or on ebay for around $200. A head to
run it will cost another $200 or more depending on which set of
features you can't live without ;-) This setup, loaded with 6 CDs
worth of .mp3s, is good for 60 hours or more of music, and still
allows you to play an audio CD in the head!
I'm sure there are more modest solutions available, but I don't have
any experience with them, and so hesitate to offer recommendations.
The Alpine setup works well; I have it in two of my cars.

ByeBye! S.

Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101

 

[Todd H.]

The FM adaptors do work pretty well; doubt you'd be able to tell any
difference in a mobile application unless you a) had spent a fair bit
of money and effort on speaker upgrades, and b) were parked with the
engine off while listening.

Much agreed, Steve.

Plus, you're listening to mp3's after all...which is a pretty crappy
audio format where you're sacrificing audio quality for convenience
anyhoo.

So, there's one more reason not to get too pedantic about the purity
of line level inputs or the degradation the modulation and
demodulation will theoretically cause.

 

[Nicolas Dore]

I have a '04 Forester with 6-disk CD changer (no cassette desk). I
would like to find out (with out pulling out the whole stereo) if
there is any way to get a direct line-in audio input. I want to plug
my iPod into the stereo via a direct connection.
[snip]

About my listening preferences: I've used a cassette adapter in my
previous vehicle and wasn't satisfied with the audio quality. All my
MP3's are encoded at high quality VBR -- so I'll be able to hear
imperfections from a bad connection. I'd prefer to stay away from FM
splicers or FM transmitters, because I know that FM cannot carry the
same fidelity as a direct line-in.

David

Hello David

I have a setup similar to yours: iPod (3rd generation, all songs in
AAC for better quality) and input-less factory radio.

I went the way of the cassette adaptor but found it not good enough
(lost a lot in the highs and lows with bakground noise added) and
didn't want to go with an FM transmitters. I researched this a bit and
could not find an adaptor to convert the factory radio's CD plug into
an aux input. I did find a site which gave a listing of the pintouts,
but nothing that said how to have the radio play what was coming in
without the CD changer's signals or how to convert the iPod's output
into something the radio would take.

In the end I put the Blaupunkt radio (with an aux input on the
back...) I had in my old car in the Subaru and have not looked back
since...

Nicolas