mp3 player for stock system (FYI)

[99CamaroV6]

Well since lack of funding halted my attempt to purchase a mp3 head unit I decided to go the cheaper route and it worked flawlessly...and it only cost $65 instead of $230 for the particular one I wanted.

I wound up using an FM modulator and I plugged that into the FM antenna input on the radio but DOH...GM and their gay headunit they have a smaller plug than the usual universal plug so had to chuck up some more money for a converter plug to the smaller size. Run the wiring underneath the console to the center console where my MP3 discman sits velcro-ed down. To listen to the radio you turn the FM Modulator off and then when you want MP3s you just flip the dipswitch that's installed between the fog lights and traction control and bam I've got an MP3 player.

Now I'm thinking...what other cool audio device can I plug in now since it's running off RCA cables... ;)

[AllTheGoodNamesAreGone]

fm modulator on anything digital = [img]graemlins/thumbsdown.gif[/img]

[99CamaroV6]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by AllTheGoodNamesAreGone:
fm modulator on anything digital = [img]graemlins/thumbsdown.gif[/img] <hr></blockquote>

really? why do you say that. Reception is perfect...since it is hardwired directly into the antenna input. It's way better than those piece of crap wireless cd adapters.

[StudlyCamaro]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by AllTheGoodNamesAreGone:
fm modulator on anything digital = [img]graemlins/thumbsdown.gif[/img] <hr></blockquote>

yes , please explain.. im considering doing this and throwing my 20 gig MP3 player in my car (woo hoo, no need for carrying all my CD's with me !)

[99CamaroV6]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by StudlyCamaro:


yes , please explain.. im considering doing this and throwing my 20 gig MP3 player in my car (woo hoo, no need for carrying all my CD's with me !)<hr></blockquote>

I've been using it and I don't see a problem. When you go to full blast with nothing playing you can hear some crackling...but at that level with music playing you CANNOT hear it. I mean you have to have it LOUD.

[AllTheGoodNamesAreGone]

well.. you are taking a great digital signal.. and runing it by broadcasting it.. buy a dam HU with inputs.. or better yet one that plays mp3 cd's..

mp3 and cd audio quality &gt; radio quality

thats the bottem line

[camaro_speedemon]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by AllTheGoodNamesAreGone:
well.. you are taking a great digital signal.. and runing it by broadcasting it.. buy a dam HU with inputs.. or better yet one that plays mp3 cd's..

mp3 and cd audio quality &gt; radio quality

thats the bottem line<hr></blockquote>

Yea, radio broadcast quality sucks. Listen to a song on the radio, then find that same song and listen to it on a CD. But since you're not an audiophile like me, it'll work fine for you. ;)

[mcgs999]

I have a 20 gig player that i am hookin up this way and i am gonna construct a mount like the old car phones use to have, if anyone is interested let me know and i will post directions...

[RCJim]

Some people are just to anal about stuff like this. I think it is a great idea, sound quality wont be noticably different for your average listener.

[99CamaroV6]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by RCJim:
Some people are just to anal about stuff like this. I think it is a great idea, sound quality wont be noticably different for your average listener.<hr></blockquote>

Yes exactly. I'm a big sound yuppie...my home theatre system has Denon and Bose...I'm no slouch there. Computer loaded with the Klipsch and with Bose headphones.

With THIS "ghetto" setup the drawbacks are the following...

when the CD starts a new track while it's preloading the data ahead if the track is soft you can hear some interference from the PLAYER itself and that lasts for about 5 sec. You REALLY have to be listening for it.

Turn it up real loud and you'll get some hiss...however the ONLY WAY you'll hear it noticeably if I pause the player. With the music pumping as loud as it is trust me you cannot hear it.

BTW let's weight options...

$200+ for a decent HU with MP3 playback
$65 MY WAY (already had an old MP3 player to boot)

Plus I have the RCA plugs now so I can still plug whatever I want into the car.

[camaro_speedemon]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by 99CamaroV6:


Yes exactly. I'm a big sound yuppie...my home theatre system has Denon and Bose...I'm no slouch there. Computer loaded with the Klipsch and with Bose headphones.

With THIS "ghetto" setup the drawbacks are the following...

when the CD starts a new track while it's preloading the data ahead if the track is soft you can hear some interference from the PLAYER itself and that lasts for about 5 sec. You REALLY have to be listening for it.

Turn it up real loud and you'll get some hiss...however the ONLY WAY you'll hear it noticeably if I pause the player. With the music pumping as loud as it is trust me you cannot hear it.

BTW let's weight options...

$200+ for a decent HU with MP3 playback
$65 MY WAY (already had an old MP3 player to boot)

Plus I have the RCA plugs now so I can still plug whatever I want into the car.<hr></blockquote>


Yea, but you don't get a cool display like I have [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[PewterBird]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by 99CamaroV6:


Yes exactly. I'm a big sound yuppie...my home theatre system has Denon and Bose...I'm no slouch there. Computer loaded with the Klipsch and with Bose headphones.

With THIS "ghetto" setup the drawbacks are the following...

when the CD starts a new track while it's preloading the data ahead if the track is soft you can hear some interference from the PLAYER itself and that lasts for about 5 sec. You REALLY have to be listening for it.

Turn it up real loud and you'll get some hiss...however the ONLY WAY you'll hear it noticeably if I pause the player. With the music pumping as loud as it is trust me you cannot hear it.

BTW let's weight options...

$200+ for a decent HU with MP3 playback
$65 MY WAY (already had an old MP3 player to boot)

Plus I have the RCA plugs now so I can still plug whatever I want into the car.<hr></blockquote>


If you spend 200+ for a MP3 player HU and you say it is going to be better quality than a fm modulator?

Did you know that MP3 are far less quality than a CD. So to begin with, if you choose MP3 over CD then you just right there compromised quality, so whats the big deal with how you run it.

If I was so concerned with quality I would have a chosen a Super Audio CD player (SACD) or got myself a high qualtiy DVD-Audio player.

Oviously he is more concerned with Quanity of music, rather than qualtiy.

My reply [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img] good job. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ August 22, 2003: Message edited by: PewterBird ]</p>

[camaro_speedemon]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by PewterBird:



If you spend 200+ for a MP3 player HU and you say it is going to be better quality than a fm modulator?

Did you know that MP3 are far less quality than a CD. So to begin with, if you choose MP3 over CD then you just right there compromised quality, so whats the big deal with how you run it.

If I was so concerned with quality I would have a chosen a Super Audio CD player (SACD) or got myself a high qualtiy DVD-Audio player.

Oviously he is more concerned with Quanity of music, rather than qualtiy.

My reply [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img] good job. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ August 22, 2003: Message edited by: PewterBird ]<hr></blockquote>


Um... 128Kbps=near CD Quality. 256(I think that's the number, I'm buzzed and don't remember it off the top of my head)&gt;than CD Quality. There is very, very little difference between 128Kbps and CD quality. I'm and audiophile, and I can barely hear the difference, but it's not enough to even care.

I do prefer encoding at 256 or greater, and if you can tell the difference between that and CD, then you my friend are very, very good.

BTW I spent $280 for my MP3 player, and If I burn a MP3 CD to my preference, I bet you couldn't tell the difference.

[nikon]

well I got an fm modulator....2 actually one for my XM and one for my X-Box....and I hate em both...dont care about MP3's just I like listening to loud music, and Ive listened to XM built in the HU and I listen to mine, and it sounds like $hit when you compare em....the X-box I have a lot of music on that thing and would also like it hard wired....im just not a big fan of fm modulators...but for now they're not bad, eventually now that I just bought rims so Im outta money, but eventually Ill buy the pioneer touch screen with the aux inputs with XM ready....that is my ultimate goal [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

[FirebirdHatesRice]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by AllTheGoodNamesAreGone:
fm modulator on anything digital = [img]graemlins/thumbsdown.gif[/img] <hr></blockquote>

yeah, I can agree with that. Before I got my new deck that supports MP3 CD's, I tried an FM modulator. The sound quality was noticibly worse. The bass is flat, and all the frequencies sound "mashed together." It is a known fact however that an FM modulator does lower the quality of sound because FM waves transmit sound at a different quality than a direct digital connection can.