[QUOTE]Originally posted by Willie Gee
What kind of infinities were they?

 

FM modulated CD changers are not new technology. I've been using such CD changers in all sorts of cars for a very long time. I currently run a Sony 10 disc changer and it works really well. The new edition of the Sony 10 disc with the MP3/CD player for $229.00 is a very good price. It won't give you living room stereo quality but then, in a convertible, how much "quality" can you really hear anyway?

 

"FM modulated CD changers are not new technology. I've been using such CD changers in all sorts of cars for a very long time. I currently run a Sony 10 disc changer and it works really well. The new edition of the Sony 10 disc with the MP3/CD player for $229.00 is a very good price. It won't give you living room stereo quality but then, in a convertible, how much "quality" can you really hear anyway?"

True, True. The s2k is WITHOUT A DOUBT not a car for the discerning listener.

But, IMO FM modulators have never sounded good at all. But that is totally a matter of opinion. (AND Believe you me, I've read enough to respect Xvipers opinions, he is VERY well informed) The FM modulator is a quick cost effective solution, if sound is not a priority.

The ipod is a good solution as well. Much of your own music can be stored in a unit that is very light and small. Good for the discerning drivers out there b/c it won't skip and takes up a fraction of the space and weight that a changer does (all the while holding TONS more music). AACs and MP3's may not have "perfect " sound, but after all it's a performance car, not a minivan. 15 gig, $299, about 3,500 songs it's not a steal, but it's a bargin.

The Infinity reference series speakers you mentioned aren't the best, but ARE made to work without much power, (BTW your Alpine HU never put out 60 watts, regardless of it's rating). Distortion should not have been that great of an issue at reasonable volumes. That's too bad that system didn't work right and there must have been something seriously wrong because I had a Pioneer with the Infinity Reference in my wife's car. It sounded miles better than the stock system in my '04 S2k.

IMHO there are times when a good sound is nice to have even in a performance convertible. & I'm convinced that our 04 stock system is not up to the 100mph + audio challenge. And this is why I am purchasing new amps, spods, HU, etc.

But whatever works for you, go for it!

 

Willie, Dave - thanks.

I've been going through numerous previous threads in this forum (and on the search throughout the site) and I'm giving myself a headache now. I now know the options with RF which is a good starting point. If I buy an IPOD, I still have to connect to the 04 unit (and I still haven't seen a definitive answer as to what types of connection options are behind there yet ... and yes, I should probably look myself).

So, if I keep the 04 front speakers, am I kidding myself (and wasting money) on rear speakers? (I've hacked rear panels before, so this doesn't bother me.) The Infinities were a real squeeze to get into the rear panels, so is there a satisfactory alternative IF I am keeping the OEM fronts?

Is there an MP3 HU that I can just slap in to the 04, keep the DCI controls AND get a decent sound quality from the speakers?

It's mad. I spend a fortune on the car and then become a cheapskate on the audio.

 

If you keep the stock HU, then rear speakers are NOT a waste. I put my stock door speakers in the rear and put Sony 1621's (cheap) in the doors. This opened up the second set of channels and doubled the wattage output of the stock HU. Now, I'm not an expert on the '04 HU, so take this with a grain of salt. For shear volume and discernable sound at speed with the top down, rear speakers are a must unless you decide to up the output with an aftermarket HU or amp. Then, you'll need much better door speakers or risk blowing them.

 

Also to answer your question about the dash controls. The basic answer is no. I have only heard of one alpine brand HU that would work with the factory controls out of the box and it was only available from europe.

Add the rears, then save your money for a new HU and DCI at the same time. I think that's your best bet.

For cheap you can get an iRock or similar that plugs into the iPods headphone jack then broadcasts over FM. No wring involved. I had problems with one of these units as Chicago is a MAJOR radio market and every frequency is filled. I think I paid about $25 for the iRock at Circuit City.

That would get you going with minimal wiring and effort and little "throw-away" dollars.

 

DB, you lucked out. The Stock HU is wired for rears. This should help you install rears in your '04:
Rear speakers MY04

I would consider s-pods. They seem like a better option than the Lucid set-up. Although they might be a bit more expensive, IMO they sound and look better. The infinities you have will fit no problem. S-pods

If you want to direct wire your ipod to your 00-04 stock HU, here's the harness: LOGjam wire harness You need a 3.5 mm to RCA jack as well, buy you can get one at Radio Shack for cheap. It only works with the MY04 if you put in an after market ground loop ($12) between the Pie Aux adapter and the HU XM/CD changer out. I'm awaiting exact details on this, as i have never done this before and i am not exactly sure how this is done.

This connection kit might work without any ground loop adapter: ICE LINK. But it's pricey and I don't know of anyone with any experience with it.

I'm going with an Alpine HU and if they make thier A-i net link for the ipod you/we are golden. BTW this link will allow for full integration of the ipod. i.e. song titles, albulms, and artiists are viewable/choosable throught the HU. If they end up not making the proper adapter we will just have to hard wire it the old fashioned way.

You can also get an FM modulator, but you will get superior sound by hard wiring it. The FM mod is best for rental cars.

As far as replacing the HU without a DCI and keeping the dash controls, I have heard of no such HU. If you step up to a better HU which is of course recommended, you will need the aftermarket DCI unit.

edited 'cause I missed a major detail.

 

I knew somebody did this! Here is a thread about connecting your '04 HU to an ipod using the existing PIE kit. I've never done it, but it can be done:

MY04 ipod connector kit

This is your best cost effective solution if you're going to keep the Stock HU. PM Skafia to find out exactly how he did it b/c the details about the ground loop are fuzzy at best.

 

so, it appears that this: "The HON-AUX is compatible with most models from 1992 - 2004 (NOT compatible with 2004 S2000 with Clarion-built OEM radio)." is not correct?

this would be good to know, if we can get a verification...

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Willie Gee