Headunit with RCA Aux Inputs

**thebigmoa** · 03-04-2002, 04:36 AM

Hello all,
I'm just starting to build a MP3 player and wander if you know of any good headunits that have a Aux Input (RCA) and what to look for when buying one?
Thanks

**mtmsol** · 03-04-2002, 10:09 AM

My JVC El-Kameleon has RCA inputs on the back, no aux-input adapter required. Some of the newer ones do require adapters, but there's lots of the older ones out there with RCA in on the back.
If you can't find one with aux-in, then look for one where the required aux-in adapter is cheap and easily available (like a Kenwood with CD-changer control - you can get the aux-in adapter from Crutchfield for $20).
Some of the decks (like Aiwa) have the aux-in on the front - while this works, it's ugly as you need to have exposed wires.
Go into a car audio shop and ask which ones have aux input. In my experience, a lot of salespeople don't really know, and they'll sell you a deck with RCA inputs on the back, but it won't work without an aux-in adapter (Sony decks are like this) so ask them to hook something up the the aux-in and shw you that it works beofre you buy.

Best of luck,
Mike.

**Air_Man** · 03-04-2002, 10:15 AM

how many of yall use gold plated connectors for attaching to your head unit? I was wondering if it helps any with the sound quality.

**RaZor** · 03-04-2002, 01:32 PM

i believe all Pioneer decks have the option to add an Aux. Input. There is a hack to add them yourself, or just do like i did and get the adapter for $35 (actually, i traded with a friend for one). Also, Blaupunkt units usually come with them too. If you want to know for sure, probably the best thing to do is go to crutchfield.com, fine one you like, see if it has aux. input and then get a cheaper price on ebay or some other store.

Air_Man: my aux. input is gold plated on the ends and i do use gold plated monster cables to run from the pc to the aux. input. Also, the adapter that converts the 1/8 stereo on the sound card to 2 RCA jacks is gold plated. I think it makes a difference but the biggest sound quality issue is the sound card and the way you have the pc connected to the head unit (Aux. Input, Amp, etc).

**magnetik** · 03-04-2002, 05:42 PM

Originally posted by Air_Man
how many of yall use gold plated connectors for attaching to your head unit? I was wondering if it helps any with the sound quality.

Personally I think its a joke..... as Razor said there are far greater issues affecting sound quality than some gold connectors. I have never used them ever in the home/car.... save you cash for better things.

**chris0822** · 03-04-2002, 06:08 PM

I have a sony deck, CDX-760x or something like that. I wasn't too happy when I found out that I needed an aux-in adapter, but the sony one I got has 2 RCA in's, headphone out jack, and USB. The USB is great, the sound quality in my opinion is better than using the sound out of the sound card.

Just some things to think about.

**etrik** · 03-04-2002, 09:10 PM

i have a clarion dxz715 and it has rear aux inputs. their pretty cheap on ebay right now ($200.00 ish)

**wizardPC** · 03-04-2002, 09:40 PM

I think I win the award for cheapest head unit with aux in on the back.

Jensen CR530X......$49.99 at PepBoys. 1/8" input jack, too, so no pesky adapters.

**Hemi** · 03-05-2002, 01:15 PM

I just bought an Eclipse CD5441 to replace my Alpine CDA7840, and the Eclipse has a 1/8" AUX input, for "MP3 or satellite systems". (Per the manual)

It also has two pairs (F/R) of RCA jacks that are tagged as input/output - I suppose you could use those too. I'm using the 1/8" input with an iPAQ.

The model I got wasn't cheap ($450), but they do make some nice units in the $250-$300 range too...

Hemi