Aux Input Amplification

[mdfortwoguy]

I'm not sure if this is a problem with my vehicle, or a design "feature", but here goes.

I find that I really have to crank both my iPod and my stereo to have it at an audible level, and not even a level where I really want to get into the music.

I'm wondering if it would be feasible to pop an in line amp between the jack and the head unit?

[rfernatt]

Originally Posted by mdfortwoguy

I find that I really have to crank both my iPod and my stereo to have it at an audible level, and not even a level where I really want to get into the music.

I noticed the same thing on both of my passions, so I don't think there is anything wrong with your specific car. I thought it was curious, but didn't dwell on it.

[msjohnson1974]

I have the output level on XM set to "6" (the highest) in order to get close to the same level as the CD. For the iPod I have a Belkin power adapter that has its own amplification build in that seems to work well. Also, check the security of the connection, mine goes quiet occasionally, requiring a little push to get it back. Seems like it could be a short but I want to eventually get the Alpine headunit that handles iPod and XM natively so I'm not too worried.

[mdfortwoguy]

I'm dying without my XM... but I just have not had the time to go get a receiver and get everything going with the setup. I'm also trying to decide whether I want to go with a family plan and keep my XM in the VUE or get rid of the XM in the VUE and just have it in the smart. I am also concerned about the output level from that, but if you can get CD levels without having to turn the stereo to max that amkes me happy.

For the record, I have a coupe with the Radio 10 and audio package (which I actually think is worth the money, contrary to most). If a good song comes on, I might find the radio at 12 or 13, but that is about as loud as I will take it.

[rawlus®]

the earbud out on a ipod is not very adequate for line-in on the aux jack for the smart radio. an amplifier would help.

the boostaroo revolution is pretty inexpensive, ~$25 or so, and boosts the signal noticeably which will result in lower volume level on the ipod itself, which should correct distortion that is introduced @ higher volumes.

there are other small headphone amps out there too - the boostaroo only caught my eye.

battery life is quite good.

[msjohnson1974]

Check out xmradiostore.com for mounting hardware for a Roady or SkyFi. I put in the flexible arm and an inline power adapter keeps it all out of the way and frees the power plug up for a GPS. When the XM output is at 4 I can turn the radio up all the way and not have it blow me out of the car.

I just have the Radio 9.

[VinceLA]

I hardwired a boostaroo into the smart car. And it's still not loud enough with my MP3 portable. Ended up returning the boostaroo and return to burning my MP3s onto a CD instead.

[fmaxwell]

Originally Posted by mdfortwoguy

I find that I really have to crank both my iPod and my stereo to have it at an audible level, and not even a level where I really want to get into the music.

Headphone out is not line out. They are two totally different things and you're using the wrong one on your iPod. This is the cable you should be using:

Amazon.com: Cables To Go - 35508 - 4ft iPod Dock...
(there are others available on ebay all of the time for much less $)

Engineer-speak follows:

The iPod headphone output is designed to drive low-impedance (~32 ohm), electromagnetic headphones which have a lot of inductance. The iPod line out from the dock connector is designed to drive a high impedance (600 ohm) amplifier's line input (such as the one on your smart car's head unit) which presents very little inductive load.

Another key difference is that the headphone output goes through a variable gain stage so that you can control the level with the volume control (the line output has a fixed gain). That variable gain stage means that the sound is degraded relative to the line output.

Using the line out with the volume control means that, sooner or later, you're likely to forget to change it when going from headphones to car or vice-versa, possibly leading to damage to your headphones, car speakers, car radio, or hearing (ranked in order of severity from least to most).

Now, all of that said, you still may not have enough volume, but, if you don't, the next thing to look at is an external booster. As has been mentioned, Belkin has a combo power supply and booster. I bought one and then proceeded to remove the amplifier so that I could get better quality sound, but I had no need for boost and did not want to risk bumping the setting as I plugged or unplugged the power adapter.

My solution was to remove the factory radio and replace it with an Alpine iDA-X100 head unit:



It interfaces to an iPod digitally through the dock connector, giving complete control via the head unit -- no need to fiddle with the iPod while driving. It does not play CDs, which is a good thing to me given the added complexity and fragility that a mechanical CD transport adds to a head unit. It plays from iPods or thumb drives. When playing from the iPod, it can display album art if present. Other than that, it has AM and FM. You can add other things (CD changers, Bluetooth adapters, etc.) if you are so inclined.

I used a Scosche dash kit (ST2430B) for $20 and a harness and antenna adapter I got for cheap on ebay.

No regrets whatsoever.

[mdfortwoguy]

Hmm, I have the iPod radio remote, which outputs through the dock connector as well. I might try it here in a few minutes when I get home (after my ultra crappy 5 minute commute ) and see if it is any better.

[canon1753]

I have a monster cable dock with a 3.5 mm output. The ipod, especially with audiobooks, is often too quiet and I'm up at about 20-21 for volume (radio 10). I boosted the treble and bass to +7, which improved matters to a degree. I am not willing to change the radio 10 yet, and if I sell my neon, I may put in my Drive + Play unit in the Smart. (That'll also mean that the smart is great in the snow... really hoping so!) Otherwise, I may use a Christmas present (I always get Best Buy gift certificates) to change the speakers.