I'm still running an older Alpine deck(CDM-7871), but looking for adapters to maybe hook up an iPod Touch or other music/media players through the m-bus cd changer port.

Examples:
amazon.com/Direct-iPod-Connector-Alpine-Changer/dp/B000IZBOEI
amazon.com/PIE-ALP-M-3-5M-Alpine-Adapter/dp/B000GB1VP6

If anyone has tried this before, please share your setup.

j-vtol

 

I don't personally own this, but I've installed several over the years. They all work great, as far as sound quality. I see that the first unit has power and ground leads to allow for charging, but I don't know if it will charge the newer ipods/iphones that run on the 5v charge, vs the 12v charge. I never had this concern when ive installed them to allow for charging, bc a few years ago when i was intalling these on a regualr basis, none of the ipods ran on the 5v charge. Just make sure before you purchase, that the interface allow for 5v charge, if you've got newer ipod/iphone. If you dont care about charging, these things will work perfect for audio transimission... They won't allow for data transmission through m-bus, meaning the song name, artist name, etc... wont show up on your alpine screen, and you'll have to track up and track down using your ipod, and not the controls on your radio.

ALso, I don't see the PIE piece on their website anymore, so I have no idea if it allows charging or not.

Anything that I've installed that allowed audio transmission through m-bus sounded just fine though.

 

Thanks joeymc13,

I'll probably try the m-bus to 3.5 jack. Now I just need to figure out if I want a cheaper Sansa type player or go for an overpriced iPod/iPod Touch.

 

If you're just using your mp3 player for music, and only running it through your 3.5mm to m-bus adapter, then sure, go for the sansa, the audio reproduction is going to be similar. I personally prefer my iphone for several reasons...

interfacing reasons... There are soooo many different docking systems I can use that will not only transfer audio, but also the data.. album artwork, text info, etc... Whether its on a car stereo source unit, or your home theater system.

applications... I love the concept of having these apps on one device. Not only do I have my music, but I have these apps I use on a regular basis. Stuff for work, specifically, the angle finder, its great to measure cuts needed for custom fabrication, as well as finding the angle on a boats hull, to figure out the angle on a fairing block for a hull transducer for a boat. Also, one of the other guys on this forum just introduced me to a new app for the iphone that has a RTA, that I can use to tune stereo systems. (thx Cobb2819!), and many other useful apps. There is just so much we can do with an iphone/ipod touch, if thats what you're hoping to get out of your portobale electronic device.

Just having access to all my media on a single device. I have all my pics, videos, and music in one place. Its great. If i have a customer that wants to see some of my work before I win their bid, I can access my photo album, select pics, and email to the customer, while standing right in front of them.

This is why I choose to have a smart phone/iphone, vs just a standard MP3 device. Like I said, if you are just using it for music through the 3.5, there is no need for you to drop the $$$ for something like an ipod touch/phone or any other smart device. Just get the Sansa.. Thats just my opinion, Im sure if you posted another thread asking abt ipod vs sansa, you'll get a ton of different opinions...