Connecting an iPod to a Stock Stereo in a Nautique

[NautiqueJeff]

This topic has come up quite a few times, and I have spent most of the day today researching how to do this. I've spoken with Clarion and Crutchfield, and even after that, I find Grant (whitechocolate) to be the best source of information on this topic. I have compiled my findings, most of which came from Grant. A good portion of this information came from this thread over on WakeWorld.

Clarion XMD-1 and XMD-2 Stereos

If you have a Clarion XMD-1 or XMD-2, which you probably do if you have a stock stereo in your pre-2004 Correct Craft, there are two options. For those of you who are wondering if you can hook up an iPod to the CD changer input on the XMD-1 or XMD-2, the answer is NO. There is no cable available that converts the C-Bus input on the back of these stereos into anything usable for an iPod. I have done an exhaustive search.

• A. You can use an FM modulator to transmit the signal from the iPod to the radio. This is considered to be the less desirable of the two options because sound quality WILL go down using this method.
  
  
  B. You can purchase a pre-amp, which will allow for the connection of an external device. Grant has the Rockford Fosgate PA2. It has an A/B switch that enables the user to switch between the signal from the head unit and the signal from the external device (iPod, etc.).
  

Clarion XMD-3 Stereos

If you have a Clarion XMD-3, which you probably do if you have a stock stereo in your 2004 Correct Craft, you have it easy.

First, purchase a conversion cable that converts your iPod's output into RCA.


Next, connect your RCA cables to the Auxilary Input on the back of your XMD-3 stereo. They're the red input wires.


That's it! You can now listen to music from your iPod through your XMD-3 stereo.

[FatBoy]

Thanks Jeff, Thats great. You should post this on the front page.

[AbunDiga909]

Extremely useful "know-how" Jeff! Thanks a lot!

[NautiqueJeff]

WhiteChocolate is the one to thank. This is basically a compilation of his posts on the subject here, on WakeWorld, and on Wakeboarder. I was just trying to get the information all in one place.

[Grant_West]

Ok Stop the press" Here is a link to another W/W thread about hooking up a I-pod. This company www.densionusa.com, Makes a cradle that mounts in your car just like a docking station on your desk top I pod, and charges and links your Ipod into your stock stereo Via The CD changer.

SO you buy there cradle and there conversion kit $250 that allow's you to hook the I pod into your stock system Via the Disk Changer port. So you loose your Disk changer, IMO No bid deal the I pod is 20 times better than any changer.

Here are your options

#1 Option
The Ice link to your existing clairon XMD-1-2 system $250
#2 Option
a pre amp EQ with aux imput $200-250
#3 Option
Upgrade to the New XMD-3 and use the Aux imput $300-$400 and if you have any old remotes you will need to upgrade them to the new clarion remote's $100 each

I think option #3 is the best because your upgrading your equipment and getting a 2nd imput, and by doing it this way you now have control of the I pods volume control via the stereo controls and remote's. If you go with the EQ option #2 you have to use the volume on the EQ or the I pod to turn it up or down. It gets tricky adjustin g the volume on the Ipod and on the EQ.

I have tryed 3 diffrent FM transmitter Belkin and the Griffin and IMO they suck, waste of money, The quality of signal is a joke. If your in a bind and have no other option ok, but if you want it to sound even remotley good stay away from them,

Here is the product itself its called the ICE link

http://www.densionusa.com/x/index.ph...&Itemid=79

here is the wakeworld link. to what we were taking about

http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/m...tml?1082548955

[NautiqueJeff]

See what I mean? He has come through again.

[redelf75]

It's like having your own personal audio advisor! Simply amazing...

[Moe]

one more option here. I have installed an XM radio using a fm modulator (wired) The output on the XM is like a headphone Jack. If the IPOD has that I will plug right in, volume control from the stereo H/U. I don't have an IPOD but I do have a Pocket pc That I can use as an MP3 player it works great like that.

[Rick]

Whitechocolate; This is goint to sound crazy but I don't have anything in my 2000SN My son is really into minidisc and I have an extra player. How about an inexpensive (read less than $500) to go MD directly to amp and speakers As a skier I don't need 3K Db and as you know skiers dont know good music when they hear it. Honey did you bring the Barry Manilow disc?

[Grant_West]

Rick' I havent done this but I would think it would work.

You can buy a I-pod "head phone jack to RCA" cable and plug it directley into a amp from the I pod . The only thing is a Head unit has a higher RCA output voltage than a I pod. So when you run a I pod threw your head unit it Boosts the voltage of the signal and sends it off to your amp's Im not sure of the I pods RCA Voltage, But Im 99% it will work fine

Here is a example Stock Clarion heads unit have a RCA voltage between 1.3 and 3 volts the higher the volts the Louder the imput signal.

A pre amp like what I have has a Line voltage of 6-8 Volts output

Eclipse has a head unit with 9 volts output.

Zapco has a Pre amp with up to 14 volts output .

can you see where Im going with this.

Not everyone has the money for these types of things so some amps have
a Imput senceitivity adjustment so if your line voltage is down you can adjust it up. If your amp has this "your in like Flyn"

Hope this helps

[Grant_West]

more Photos of the EQ

[Tony-M.]

Where are you guys going to mount your Ipods.

[wakejunky]

I found this web page that is supposed to list out the pin out of the CD changer connection. Haven't tried it but, it's supposed to work as per the web page. It's in Japanese.

http://park8.wakwak.com/~hilo/audio/...sauxcable.html

Would think that this would be the easiest solution to our Clarion XMD-1 systems.

Then it's a matter of mounting the IPOD. I've thought of getting a microphone goose neck mount that can be moved into any position and then getting a regular auto mount for the IPOD and mounting it to the gooseneck. I'm thinking mount it up under the dash such that it would hang down on the left side just below the existing remote.

Chris

[mattbroad]

I just picked up my new 04' SAN Friday (sorry, no pics yet) and it is in the audio installer for the system upgrade today. As an afterthought I asked about an input line for an ipod and they said "no worries", they'd run an ipod compatible jack back to the glove box and I'd just need to plug and play. I'll let you know how it works.

[ag4ever]

If it is an '04 san, then you have the extra set of inputs that Grant described since CC is using the XMD-3 radio from clarion now. Heck, I don't even think clarion is making the XMD-2 anymore.

I am thinking about using something like this on my boat so all the other boats on the lake can listen to my mp3's:



http://www.ramseyelectronics.com