I want to add an auxiliary adapter to my stereo to play music from my iphone. But, all of the videos I've been watching say that the kits won't work if I have a 6-disc cd changer. Does anyone know what my options are?

 

If your phone has a headphone slot you can get a small FM transmitter that plugs into it. You then tune the radio to whatever frequency you set the transmitter at and you get audio from your phone.

 

Another option is to either purchase a replacement used stock 6 CD stereo with an aftermarket auxiliary pigtail upgrade added or to send your stereo to a shop that can do the auxiliary pigtail upgrade to your existing stereo.

The auxiliary pigtail upgrade is where the stereo is opened up and an auxiliary pigtail soldered to the circuit board. A hole would be drilled in the metal case to run the pigtail cable through.

 

Here's a modded one. But you'd probably be better of off trying to find someone who knows how to solder in aux plug to your radio and get quote from them.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1998-2002-H...e5SI2#viTabs_0

 

Frankly, I would spend the $80-$100 and replace the whole deck. A Kenwood or Sony from Crutchfield will be at that price plus give you everything: bluetooth, carplay, Alexa, Spotify, Pandora,hands-free, etc. It's not hard to do, and it add all the modern functions. I know that's not exactly what you asked for, but I've found it to be a great improvement than trying to add to the stock stereo.

$89
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_113KMB...U.html?tp=5684

Just a thought. If you buy the pre-wired kit, you can install that in under 2 hours pretty easily.

 

I think it's Crutchfield that has plastic to fill in the spaces after the larger (in comparison to the new) stock radio is replaced. I have a Bluetooth receiver/FM transmitter in the company van, but the audio quality is acceptable at best. As 99stockcivic says you're typically talking $100 or less for something decent these days. The media players can be even less expensive (don't know how good the quality is) since they don't have any moving parts (no CD player). Surprisingly, the audio quality of my stock '99 EX stereo is very good - but it's not a changer, won't play CD-RW discs (like I think all other vehicle CD players) and of course no MP3. I still have a stock of some blank CDs, but they're getting hard to come by and they all seem to deteriorate (skip, clicks, etc) over time. I'd love to have a stereo that would accept a USB or memory card.

Bluetooth is good - but I'd like to not have to take my phone out and access the music player every time I get in the car. That's why I'm holding onto the stock player for now - it automatically plays or just a button needs to be pushed, but only for about 70 minutes max.

 

That's interesting, that's what I do for about half the time, I use the USB plug in on the Kenwood. I can put thousands of songs on there and I'm good for weeks or months of music. It does come with all the plastic covers for the lower DIN to cover the hole when switching to a single DIN player like the Kenwood. And, agreed, if you don't even want a CD (which I didn't) it is only maybe $70 for the stereo. I love it, plus the kids think it's the bomb they can stream spotify or use bluetooth and can pair 5 different phones to it.

 

What model is that Kenwood? I'd like having both memory and bluetooth. With new laptops (which I may have to get this year) not even having any CD/DVD capability I wouldn't need CD capability.

 

I linked it above, Kenwood 328U. Has Alexa as well. I've gotten spoiled using voice to pick stations and call

 

Ok thanks, I went to the link. I could do without the Alexa technology though, I'm too old school! Then again - for phone calls I could change my mind. That could be helpful, and safer. I'll read up more on the Kenwood,

 

If you don't want Alexa, pick the 228u
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-F2Ve7g...MM-BT228U.html

Still have bluetooth and handsfree calling. Just push a button instead.

 

Thanks for that information. Nice that handsfree calling through the radio is included with bluetooth.

 

I know ideally I'd replace the radio in my '99 Accord - but I thought I'd try the Bluetooth receiver/FM transmitter that I bought for the company van. It has a slot for a memory card and USB drive that music can be played from. The sound is very acceptable. The stock EX radio actually sounds pretty good, so for about $30 I was thinking of getting another one for the Honda. I have a few spare USB drives. I was able to sync a playlist to one from Windows Media player, just like it was a phone or tablet. Surprisingly, it seemed to retain the playlist. The root directory had that .xml file I've seen before.

There's no setting on my FM transmitter to select random, or shuffle play. Seems like that's not an option. I wonder if the media receivers with memory card and USB slots have that option? At least with the FM transmitter without the option, I like that the music is ready to go - maybe just push a button which is why I liked still using CDs. That eliminates having to set up the phone each time getting in the car. I made 2 CDs the other day - one didn't work. I'd like to retire that format. I can buy the same model I have locally - but Amazon has a very good selection and better prices. Of course there's the shipping and waiting. So many other stores seem to be out of so many things lately. And, I think the big box electronics store is still onIy doing curbside delivery. I may give in to online shopping like just about everybody else.

 

Yes, on most of the stereos I have put in thre is a ramdomizer on the USB stick. And remember, while you might have a 6 CD changer, that's about 120 songs max. I think I have about 3000 songs currently on my USB stick, I sump entire albums on there, plus a folder of singles I like. Easy to pop is off the stereo and bring it into the house to copy more music. And, I don't know about you, but all my phones auto-pair with the stereo so I don't have to anything, it just picks up where I left off. With Carplay, if you get that, I also now have my maps easy to see as well, and piping through the stereo, which auto-mutes so I can hear it clearly , then returns to volume normal afterwards.
Just depends what you want, but the new stuff is cheap and easy plus has everything you want.

 

I'm only a single CD! Memory is certainly the way to go. A stereo like your Kenwood would be the ideal system - but I really didn't want to invest a lot in the car until I know it will be worthwhile to. It probably and hopefully will be - the first step is to see if it passes emissions next month. If it does, I'll probably get the timing belt replaced since there's no history on it.

The store didn't have the Roav that I already own, so instead I bought another model for $25. What I like is, like the Roav there's 3 different sources to play music from. An SD memory card, USB drive or Bluetooth. I'm sure the audio quality isn't as good as playing from memory directly inserted into a receiver - but it's acceptable. Another thing I like is by default it just plays - if there's a memory card it starts playing, just turn on the radio to the frequency. Paired the phone to it - surprisingly the microphone transmit quality it pretty good unlike the Roav. It's relatively unobtrusive too with the SD card. A USB drive would stick out to the side. I do like how Google Maps will mute music if it's playing. It'll smoothly fade it out and back in.

Sorry to jsebay02 for hijacking the thread. I really like the wheels on your Honda. Mine is also black, but a 4 door. Maybe those wheels were just available on the coupe. I wish I could make the photo smaller. I reduced the pixels big time but it's still huge.

 

FWIW, you can get s USB drive like this one with 256gb of storage. It is about the size of a finger nail and half or that goes in the drive slot. Almost nothing sticks out.

 

It's amazing how much can now fit on those drives. The one I put in the transmitter I just bought was only 2gb I think, had it in an old cellphone.

What I'd like to figure out is how to access a different folder, i.e. playlist in the drive in the FM transmitter. I think it'll only play what's synced to the root directly of the drive. That's fine - if I want to listen to another playlist I'll use the smartphone or another memory device.