treeman

Hi all,

I am building a simple car stereo system with a three channel amplifier (left and right main speakers and a sub). I only plan to listen to ipod in this particular car so I do not want a head unit in the car.

I'd like to hook up the ipod into a Remote Controlled IPOD Dock with line level outputs directly to the amp and control everything including volume through the dock's remote (preferably a RF remote on the dock).

I have found remote control ipod docks that say they have "volume control" but I assume this means they control the volume on the headphone jack output?? Do any of the docks out there have volume control on the line level output of the dock itself?

Basically I am looking to connect my ipod directly to a car audio amplifier so I need a preamp/volume control built into the dock...does something like this exist?

My other option would be to simply use the headphone output of the ipod with a headphone to rca cable and hook that right up to the amp....but I'm not sure what the results will be and I would much rather use line level.

Any input is GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks for any help!!

MP3Car.com

 

Sponge

Good choice on using the iPod line out rather than the headphone jack!

I guess you are looking for something like this: http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB125

Personally, I would run a preamp with an level control knob because I cant stand remotes in the car but thats just me. If you choose to do so, you would have a.... LOD cable to 3.5mm jack -> headphone preamp (w/ vol control of course) -> 3.5mm to RCA Y cable. You will want to be careful with that kind of pre-amp power though, so make sure your gains are set correcty.

I bet you could even make your own LOD cable that charged the ipod as well.

You might find more support for this topic over at Head-fi.org ie

treeman

Thanks for the reply and info, much appreciated.

Your idea is very interesting...I have already found a LOD that is meant for 12 volt use and will work with my setup. My only question is about the "headphone preamp w/ vol control"....which one do you recommend? are any of these just a simple inline item with a small volume knob? the ones I have found are boxes that need power? Thanks for any more input

Sponge

Good to hear. Correct, the preamp would require a power source and depending what you gave it, you might get noise, and on second thought wouldnt be very practical seeing how you are trying to turn the volume DOWN and not up. My knowledge of headphone pre-amps goes about that far though... if your curious though check these guys out http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f105/

Also, you could do one of these http://www.amazon.com/Shure-Level-At.../dp/B00029U0X6 with the LOD cable.

Care to share the LOD you found for 12v use?

Now you got me interested in the iBasso D10, you can plug the USB into a PC as a sound card or plug an ipod into it and you can pick your input.... hm

treeman

Here is the link to plug I plan to use on the ipod....12 volt, audio, and even has video out...top of page: http://www.mp3playerstore.com/stuff_...ies/index.html

treeman

I'm thinking perhaps the connector I posted plus this: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1218012140248

soundman98

I just wanted to say that at the moment, i am doing almost exactly this, I am in the process of modifying parts for a car computer, but still need the car, so I hooked up my ipod to use as the source.

I agree w/ sponge that you should get a physical volume knob for long term use.
becsaue i have alot of music, the vol changes b/w songs, and i must immediatly turn it up/down to compensate. a physical knob would really help w/ this.

currently, I am using the headphone out to go to my crossover.
I am really not sure if using the pre out will have enough voltage to drive the amps.

just for referance, I am also using a 8 volt line driver to boost the signal. the volume stays in the upper half of the graphic- most songs barely overcome wind noise w/ the windows down, and the volume all the way up.

here is a link for a line driver, in case you need it.
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...old+TLD22.html

Sponge

Nice, I didnt think of that. That looks like it would work really well!!


Using the line out cable on the ipod yeilds more power than the headphone jack, you might be fine and have enough power without the line driver and proper gains on your amp. Id try what you already have picked out... if it still isnt loud enough then add a line-driver/pre-amp.

MP3Car.com