The thread about iPod adaptors is no help.

Can someone just simply tell me what the best adaptor with the best sound quality is for our iPods in our Z's? (got an 06 touring btw if that makes a diff.)

Thanks, I appreciate it.

 

which kind of adapters the fm modulated ones or the one the plug into the factory harness

 

um...dont really know what the "harness" is...but which ever one has the bes quality, is what i'm lookin for (and if the adaptor didnt look ugly or out of place that would help a little too)

 

are you wanting a digital connection or a fm transmitter...the digital connection will sound the best...i have a monster i-cruze with display i took out when i installed my alpine iva-w200 that i can sell you cheap. it lets you use your steering wheel controls and it has a display of the songs

 

I second the digital connection, which is what i have. All headunits have different kind of auxillary inputs, so it depends on your headunit. 2006 model alpines have a seperate wire just for ipods, and display all the information from the ipod on the screen. They're concidered 'ipod ready', and only require a 20 dollar hot wire. I have a 2005 alpine HU, and i bought a alpine only wire that connects any MP3 player to the HU, but has a 1/8th male audio jack, as wel as the ipod docking style connection. It allows you to charge the ipod if you use the ipod docking connection if you connect the 12V wire to 12V constant off the battery. Audio quality is 2nd to none. Sounds better than CD in the Z just because of the way the Z is made. Best money spent in a while.. I dont even use the tuner anymore or CDs.

 

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...85&catid=23076 (Canadian Price)

this one to go along w/ a 60 GB Black Video Ipod. I also "hijacked" a kewl mount for it and placed it just behind the shifter (in between the emergency brake and the seat heaters).

It looks pretty sleek, almost as if this spot was meant for it. In terms of quality, I have had several transmitters before but this I can honestly say is the clearest. Personally, I find that frequencies in the 89 FM range work best however, this may depend on other factors (ie. specific location). When it is tuned and playing, it sounds just like a CD in the Bose.

Hope this helps.

Ps. If you want a pic, let me know and I will upload one.

 

I've tried a few methods in my Z.

The FM transmitter method was horrible. It's pretty much a hit or miss depending on what car you have. My neighbor's Mustang picks the signal up perfectly but in my Z there is so much noise it's not even a option. You also have to max out the volume to get a decent sound level.

I've also tried the Harmon Kardon kit. You basically splice into the antenna connection and play through there. It removed the noise from the regular FM transmitter but you still have to turn it full blast to get a decent sound.

A few days ago I bought an Alpine Headunit w/ direct iPod connection (CDA9856 model). I cannot describe how awesome this is. It sounds completely identical to a CD, including even clarity and sound level. You also get to use the headunit to search the iPod files instead of fooling around with the actual iPod. I have my iPod connection hidden in my empty Navi cubby. Works better than I ever expected.