What kind of set-up do most people here use? I know a Pac AAI-NIS is required to hardwire the iPods to the Bose headunit. But, it alone does not power the iPod, so I'd like to know what everyone here use or have done in terms of modifying one. I don't really like the docking idea from G35ipod.com. And I heard the Dension Icelink doesn't work for our cars. Any thoughts ??

 

I have the Denison Ice Link AUX model and it does work for the iPod with AAI-NIS and charges too. I did not install it myself so not sure how it is accomplished. I had it done at el_duderino's shop. I think there's some wire splicing involved, not a nice direct connect. Pretty slick. He's around the AV forum frequently. Ping him.

 

Unfortuneately, the unit is backordered. I'm having a aai-nis anstalled next weekend. I was going to two mini to RCA adapters pre-installed, with the mini plugs (1 male for the ipod, one female for a portable dvd player that the kids use in the back seat). Additionally, I was going to sacrafice a charger that would normally use the power outlet and have it used to connect to the internal (rear of the power outlet) wiring. This too would be snaked into the ashtray. When in use, I would use a connected to the the mini plug and the dock connector for power.

My question is will this provide optimal sound? Do I need to boost the line-out signal. Should I just go with the Belkin device that charges and has its own internal line out?

Thanks for the info!

sd_diver

 

Nice. Where was yours installed? I wish he had a shop here in NJ/NY area!

 

el_duderinio is in Portland, OR, otherwise known as Mambo Fvckland (inside joke for Speedaholic). His shop is avincar.com. You can e-mail him directly at avincar@comcast.net. He could get you what you need and he's not short on advice. Obviously they tapped into some power but the rest is just RCA plugs into the AAI-NIS and the docking connector on the other end into the iPod.

sd_diver: I believe it is a 4volt preamp out but is probably about 2-3 increments quieter than the other HU output. Not really a problem. I just turn it up without worry since he also tested clipping at high volume on the stock HU and found it to be basically non-existent at close to max volume.

See pic. I just let mine hang loose right now and keep the iPod in the cupholder, storage bin or that funky storage unit on the passenger side. I will probably eventually mount it but I'm happy right now. There was also another IceLink product that had a mount but it was black and didn't really match my interior but it did the same thing. Don't know model. el_duderino will.

 

Can I get by without it? Just use the line out from the iPod dock into the mini-rca into the nis? Or do I have to boost the signal? If I can't find the denison, will the Belkin unit work or does it introduce ground loop issues?

Thanks!

 

I don't know if line output is enough. I know I've read some that have used a line driver and I don't recall if I've read any that haven't. I defer to those who have that setup. Get a good one (e.g. Soundgate) if you do use one. I know PAC recommends you use one but, funny thing, it's there's they recommend so grain of salt alert.

el_duderino has told me he has seen ground loop issues using cig lighter as power source.

 

I asked if anyone used this on a different thread.
http://www.installer-data.com/item/d...m.php?it=pxp01
Not too many people said anything about it, so I'm kinda debating about using it. I want a simple connection minimizing the wiring and by using this, it might just do that??

 

Didn't El_duderino mention ground loop issues with this?

 

Hmm...I believe he mentioned that ?? To be honest, I'm not even sure what the term means?? Sorry, I'm a novice....
Well, I'm about to receive my AAI-NIS interface and have yet to solve my charging issue. I guess I might have to go the Belkin route. I want to have it all figured out before I hack into my car. I'm doing the Valentine 1 hardwiring at the same time.
sd_driver - Let me know what you end up doing??

 

I use the Belkin kit and it works great for me. You can get them real cheap on Ebay.

 

MISTIKMACK: That looks similar to the IceLink unit. Why not just call or write el_duderino? He's a real guy with a real business and MANY years of experience. He's already done my car. He might have what you need or at least give you some options?

 

You can absolutely get by, but a couple of things to note. The Belkin charger (Others too I'm sure), has a nifty little feature that pauses your iPod when power is removed, as in ignition off. After a couple of minutes, the iPod turns off. The importance of this convenience depends on how forgetful you may be and/or if you leave your iPod in place when you park. Using the dock itself will disable this feature, even though it seems that the charger is just piggy-backing. If it's critical, you can modify this, but you'll need a very small soldering iron .

I use the AAI-NIS with my iPod mini, with the Belkin charger with the mic out. I figured the vol. adjustment would help set the level correctly. Not the case, it only introduced low freq. distortion. I bypassed the audio portion of the chip. The sound level is slightly lower than CD but not dramatic.

I wired it to the back of the driver's cig. adapter and it works just fine. Except, at low volume levels I occasionally get some noise while adjusting the side view mirrors. Very seldom and not annoying enough to track down.

 

When you say bypassed the audio portion did you mean you had to disassemble the unit itself that plugs into the cig lighter and splice one of the wires into the cig lighter? Thanks again!

 

Ground loop issues are as Macgyver described: a whine or hum introduced into the audio. You may hear it when operating electrical devices on your auto like using the side view mirror or window controls. Lots of times you will hear it when accelerating, the audio interference mirrors your acceleration. There are such things as ground loop isolators that can help.