Aftermarket CD Changer Question
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Aftermarket CD Changer Question Help me out here, guys. I'm looking for an aftermarket, universal CD changer which has AUX outputs. I'm tired of my FM-modulated one, and I'd like to convert it over to the AUX port on my aftermarket head unit. Trouble is... NOBODY MAKES ONE!!! If anybody had any information or ideas, please let me know.
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Jensen IC-8010 (Intellicar system). It has the perfect connections to control my DVD player, PS2, satellite radio, and computer. I really don't want to repace it. I know it's not considered high end, but with enough amplifiers, everything sounds good.
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From: Eastern MA
I did some searching on Google. This Jensen unit can control any Jensen CD Changer. There is also an optional four source AV Selector available.
Here is a review with more info about it:
http://www.carsound.com/news/archives/5_23_101_1.shtml
(Jensen's site didnt list it and it didnt say much about their other products anyway).
Here is a review with more info about it:
http://www.carsound.com/news/archives/5_23_101_1.shtml
(Jensen's site didnt list it and it didnt say much about their other products anyway).
Last edited by VIP1; Jun 20, 2004 at 11:10 PM.
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Yes, I saw that, too. What I'm looking for is an aftermarket CD changer that handles MP3s, and outputs through RCA, rather than FM modulation. I hate the sound quality loss.
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From: Eastern MA
You can probably use any CD changer and convert its proprietary output to RCA with an adapter:
http://store.myradiostore.com/pieauxinaf.html
I depends on whether you can retain the alternate CD Changer remote (because your headunit wont be able to control the CD Changer).
I used this the Pioneer PIO/P-RCA adapter to conver the IP-BUS to RCA output on my XM Receiver.
http://store.myradiostore.com/pioneer.html
The controller used a different port, so this worked out for me. You may be able to do the same with a Pioneer CD Changer (as long as is has an alternate CD Changer controller instead of just relying on a Pioneer headunit).
See if you can get an adapter for your current CD Changer. That would be the cheapest and easiest solution.
http://store.myradiostore.com/pieauxinaf.html
I depends on whether you can retain the alternate CD Changer remote (because your headunit wont be able to control the CD Changer).
I used this the Pioneer PIO/P-RCA adapter to conver the IP-BUS to RCA output on my XM Receiver.
http://store.myradiostore.com/pioneer.html
The controller used a different port, so this worked out for me. You may be able to do the same with a Pioneer CD Changer (as long as is has an alternate CD Changer controller instead of just relying on a Pioneer headunit).
See if you can get an adapter for your current CD Changer. That would be the cheapest and easiest solution.
Last edited by VIP1; Jun 25, 2004 at 08:11 PM.
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From: Eastern MA
Did you miss this line:
They can be used for outputs. I used the PIO/P-RCA adapter to contert the IP-Bus port on my Pioneer XM receiver to RCA OUTPUT. This is what is currently in my car. I used another adapter to convert the CD-Changer port on my stock Monsoon stereo to allow RCA input.
Here is that adapter if anyone is interested:
GM9-AUX
http://store.myradiostore.com/20chch.html
BTW...
I bought both adapters at http://www.myradiostore.com
Originally Posted by VIP1
I used this the Pioneer PIO/P-RCA adapter to conver the IP-BUS to RCA output on my XM Receiver.
Here is that adapter if anyone is interested:
GM9-AUX
http://store.myradiostore.com/20chch.html
BTW...
I bought both adapters at http://www.myradiostore.com
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Verdad Gallardo Copy & Paste Moderator
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From: Eastern MA
I dont want to sound pushy, but have you installed it yet? Did it work out for you?
Here is a note for you...
If it doesnt work at first wait 30seconds. When I hooked it up to my factor headunit, it didnt work for the first 30seconds after installation. I dont know if it was an issue with the XM receiver or the stock headunit. Either way, it works fine now. The wait was only for the first time it was installed. There is no wait now.
Here is a note for you...
If it doesnt work at first wait 30seconds. When I hooked it up to my factor headunit, it didnt work for the first 30seconds after installation. I dont know if it was an issue with the XM receiver or the stock headunit. Either way, it works fine now. The wait was only for the first time it was installed. There is no wait now.
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Well, I got everything installed, and it didn't work. Crap. I got the Alpine CHA-S634 and the PIE AiNET adapter. It simply would not work no matter how long I waited. I'll keep trying, though.
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From: Eastern MA
Sorry to hear that.
Does the Alpine have a remote? (as opposed to having the headunit control it).
Its possible that the remote turns off the AiNet port.
(I guess I got lucky with the Pioneer IP-Bus.)
Does the Alpine have a remote? (as opposed to having the headunit control it).
Its possible that the remote turns off the AiNet port.
(I guess I got lucky with the Pioneer IP-Bus.)
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From: Eastern MA
I was just looking at the manual on Alpine's site and noticed a couple things that can hang you up.
http://iweb.alpine-usa.com/html/asb/...ha-s634_om.pdf
* Did you remove the "transport locks"?
* Is the "Bus Selector Switch" set to AI-Net?
* The manual didn't mention anything about a separate remote (maybe I missed it).
* If you can't get it working with AI-Net, order a M-Bus (Mini-Bus) cable and try it in M-Bus mode
http://iweb.alpine-usa.com/html/asb/...ha-s634_om.pdf
* Did you remove the "transport locks"?
* Is the "Bus Selector Switch" set to AI-Net?
* The manual didn't mention anything about a separate remote (maybe I missed it).
* If you can't get it working with AI-Net, order a M-Bus (Mini-Bus) cable and try it in M-Bus mode
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http://iweb.alpine-usa.com/html/asb/...-1667rf_om.pdf
I was just looking at the manual for the remote unit (CRA-1667RF).
On pg22 is a wiring diagram of how it should be hooked up.
After looking at that diagram, I am wondering where you connected the PIE adapter cable?
With that setup, there doesnt appear to be a place that the cable can be used. With my Pioneer XM receiver, the unit had 2 ports built directly into it. One was for the remote and the other was for IP-Bus. My remote is connected to its port and the PIE adapter is connected to the IP-Bus port.
It appears that that CD-Changer & Remote combination only has one port, the AI-Net port, which is used by the remote. So... where did you connect the adapter? This may not be possible with that setup.
I have attached a picture so you can see what I mean. Its an older picture that I took before I had the PIE adapter. I connected the PIE adapter to the IP-Bus OUT port and disconnected the FM-Modulator. The FM modulator in my setup was a very simple small metal box (no real internal circuitry).
A Pioneer CD-Changer is probably set up the same way. I looked on www.pioneerelectronics.com, but the manuals didn't have wiring diagrams and there werent any pictures of the ports. BestBuy has the CDX-FM687 for $180. You can probably look at it on display and see if its set up the same way. At least three Pioneer CD-Changers (CDX-FM687, CDX-FM1287, CDX-FM1289) also come with built-in FM Modulators and a wired remote instead of having to buy it seperately.
I was just looking at the manual for the remote unit (CRA-1667RF).
On pg22 is a wiring diagram of how it should be hooked up.
After looking at that diagram, I am wondering where you connected the PIE adapter cable?
With that setup, there doesnt appear to be a place that the cable can be used. With my Pioneer XM receiver, the unit had 2 ports built directly into it. One was for the remote and the other was for IP-Bus. My remote is connected to its port and the PIE adapter is connected to the IP-Bus port.
It appears that that CD-Changer & Remote combination only has one port, the AI-Net port, which is used by the remote. So... where did you connect the adapter? This may not be possible with that setup.
I have attached a picture so you can see what I mean. Its an older picture that I took before I had the PIE adapter. I connected the PIE adapter to the IP-Bus OUT port and disconnected the FM-Modulator. The FM modulator in my setup was a very simple small metal box (no real internal circuitry).
A Pioneer CD-Changer is probably set up the same way. I looked on www.pioneerelectronics.com, but the manuals didn't have wiring diagrams and there werent any pictures of the ports. BestBuy has the CDX-FM687 for $180. You can probably look at it on display and see if its set up the same way. At least three Pioneer CD-Changers (CDX-FM687, CDX-FM1287, CDX-FM1289) also come with built-in FM Modulators and a wired remote instead of having to buy it seperately.
Last edited by VIP1; Jul 14, 2004 at 09:52 AM.