I recently purchased a 2003 350z with the non-Bose sound system. The one thing I would like to add to this car is a 3.5mm or RCA input to the factory head unit. From my search it seems I can accomplish this if I have the Bose stereo, do I have any other options other than an in-line FM Modulator?

All my searches mostly yielded suggestions to upgrade the head unit but, I do not want an aftermarket head unit. If it isn't possible then I will just stick with FM.

 

A few ppl have opened these up and found the line level circuits....

 

I may just stick with an FM modulator then.

 

From what I can tell, this may work:

http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=610

Although, it looks like it can be found on other sites for a more reasonable price:

http://www.grabcart.com/product/auto...initi-Vehicles


I will look behind my stereo tomorrow to verify if it has the CD Changer port required.

 

What device do you want to add to your OEM Clarion?

If you are considering a line-output solution and you have the OEM Clarion... forget about it. You will spend more just for the adapter (and it won't work right) then you would getting an H/U replacement.

If you want to keep the OEM H/U and add anything you want, your best choice is the Kenwood KOS Controller.

--Spike

 

I wanted to keep the OEM H/U, and the only thing I really wanted was an rca or 3.5mm input jack for my mp3 player. I don't ever intend to get an Ipod. The Kenwood KOS definitely seems to have a lot of features, but maybe more than I need.

Could you elaborate on what will not work right with Soungate AUXNISSv3 or the simple "wired in" FM Modulator?

Thanks!

 

I don’t like FM Modulators since they inherently have some degree of audio degeneration.

Devices that add an AUX port are definitely better, but there are some disadvantages:

• Installation can be a tricky. You often need to change resistance to prevent “popping” or other interference.
  
  
• They are fairly expensive (especially when you pay someone else to install the device). Instead of adding this expense to a low quality stock Clarion H/U, you could install a much better H/U by spending just a little more $$. If you can sell your stock Clarion H/U, it’s about a wash when replacing this with a better aftermarket H/U.

I understand that you want to keep the stock H/U and that’s why I suggest the Kenwood KOS Controller. I agree that’s expensive, but remember you can easily pull the Controller when you sell the car.

It really seems like a waste to spend additional $$'s on the stock Clarion H/U since it is such a cheap unit.

--Spike