Please educate me on mp3 adapters: Off-topic discussion forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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May 4, 2011 11:24 a.m. bludroptop SuperDork

I have an e36 with the factory head unit. It plays.... cassettes.

I do not have the CD changer in the trunk. I'm pretty sure I do have an Alpine CD changer from an earlier model e36 somewhere in the garage, but I'm not sure of compatibility and I really don't want to go in that direction anyway.

I'm also reluctant to put an aftermarket head unit in the car. I just don't like the way they look. I've never seen one that didn't look out-of-place.

I have an iPhone. A cursory search for iPod adapters turns up various options starting at around $150. That's $120 too much, in my opinion. I have been advised that the cheapies that plug into the cassette slot are not worth anything, and often don't work at all with auto-reverse units.

The ability to charge the phone and control the iPhone with the radio controls would be nice but are not important to me.

The ability to blast "Low Rider" as I pull up to Timing Slips after an autocross run, however....

"Low Rider drives a little slower"

Gratuitous Low Rider linky

I should add that my level of sophistication regarding electrical matters is only slightly better than cave dweller, so it needs to be simple/easy.

Thanks in advance for any help.
May 4, 2011 11:27 a.m. mtn SuperDork

In your case, I'd go to the Wally world (hell, I saw them at Dollar tree yesterday) and pick up a cheap cassette adapter. For 5 bucks, you cannot beat the simplicity (lack of install and a complete idiot can figure it out). If it isn't good enough, or it doesn't work, then find another solution. You're only out $5 (or $1)

I use the cassette adapter in the Miata, and in the E30 BMW. Works well enough for a convertible.
May 4, 2011 11:27 a.m. 92CelicaHalfTrac SuperDork

There should be ones that broadcast over a radio frequency for wayyyyyy cheaper. Like.. $40 and under cheaper.

If you shop around, you should be able to find this one for $40.

http://www.amazon.com/Monster-iCarPlay-Wireless-Transmitter-Charger/dp/B00019068G

Now... the cassette adapter will likely sound better, but this is probably easier to find? Iono.
May 4, 2011 11:28 a.m. mtn SuperDork

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=cassette+adapter&hl=en&prmd=ivns&...

This is the one I have. Might as well give it a try.
May 4, 2011 11:43 a.m. BoxheadTim SuperDork

I've been using tape adapters in the Corvette and the wife's Cherokee for a while. The one I used in the 'vette has given up the ghost so I've got a supposedly better one (the Maxell one from Amazon). I haven't tried that one yet, though.

They usually work if it's a decent quality one. Sound quality isn't as good as a direct connection, either via AUX in or the usual iPhone/iPod connector, but neither were/are cassettes.

With the older adapters going in via the CD changer ports, you'll experience a lot of lag and will probably fall asleep trying to skip a song.
May 4, 2011 4:50 p.m. SupraWes Dork

The current range of Pioneer head units allow you to adjust the color of the LCD display and backlighting and there is a matching orange hue.
May 4, 2011 5:35 p.m. Twin_Cam SuperDork

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

There should be ones that broadcast over a radio frequency for wayyyyyy cheaper. Like.. $40 and under cheaper.

They sound like ass, just a warning. Washed-out cymbals, fuzzy bass, everything about the sound quality of radio that is no good.

But yes, they are the cheapest option, and if you always drive with your windows down or the music in the background, you'll never hear it.

Searching for a new station to use every so often on long drives can get tedious, too.
May 4, 2011 6:03 p.m. Rumnhammer Reader

They also are not powerful enough. They are kept under one watt to comply with FCC regs and that is not enough juice to transmit even right to your radios antenna.
May 4, 2011 6:12 p.m. mtn SuperDork

Rumnhammer wrote:

They also are not powerful enough. They are kept under one watt to comply with FCC regs and that is not enough juice to transmit even right to your radios antenna.

I used to use three of them on my Ipod... One plugged into the butt of the Ipod, then I had two that plugged into the standard headphone jack with a splitter. Worked much better than just one or two.
May 4, 2011 9:25 p.m. donalson SuperDork

I recall someone here on the forum said they removed the head from the tape deck and soldered a line input to the head leads or something along those lines... he said it sounded much better than the tape adapter he used...
May 5, 2011 5:58 a.m. Tom Suddard SonDork

donalson wrote:

I recall someone here on the forum said they removed the head from the tape deck and soldered a line input to the head leads or something along those lines... he said it sounded much better than the tape adapter he used...

Either do this or aftermarket headunit.