Attaching external audio to 166 ICS

Has anyone managed to connect external audio (mp3, ipod) to the ICS of a 166, preferably while still being able to use the CD player?... And no, not via FM tuner or those horrible cassette adapters...

I've got a DAB radio linked in which is selected on the cd button on the ICS and is connected via a 4 way cable to the rca inputs & a selector button under the dash allowing DAB or CD at the push of a button only problem being it cuts out the DAB if it changes a disc not a massive problem but you can pretty much connect anything using the same system

Hey Stephen

could you attach an iPod? if its possible could you post photo's of how you did it?

Cheers

Paul

Interesting! Could you provide me with the schematics on how you connected the DAB radio?

Yep, I've connected a RCA switch on the RCA cable to the cd-changer. This way I can choose to listen to a cd, or my MP3/Ipod/phone or whatever that connects in the 3,5mm connector. The only thing you need to remember is that you need a cd playing in the changer, otherwise the ICS will mute the sound.

In another thread a guy showed pictures of how he soldered a connection that replaced the CC(cassette)player. It is even better because then you don't need the cd-changer. But you will have to take the ICS out and apart for the job. My solution only need some fiddling with cables in the boot.

You could try loudlink ( you'll loose the CD changer though, but who cares when you've got loudlink )

See http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-...d-changer.html (Loudlink Virtual CD Changer)

And
Loudlink, Solid State Disc Changer, Mp3 player

Nope, no Loudlink. What I'm trying to do is connecting my iPhone

Originally Posted by Gustav_H

In another thread a guy showed pictures of how he soldered a connection that replaced the CC(cassette)player. It is even better because then you don't need the cd-changer. But you will have to take the ICS out and apart for the job. My solution only need some fiddling with cables in the boot.

That CC-option sounds extremely interesting! Do you have a link to the thread? And do you know if you'd need a cassette running to make it work?

The trick to the switched rca input is seperate the rca connectors behind the cd changer in the boot take a four way rca cable connect one set to each set of leads run it into the car down centre console where you bring it out connect it to a rca swither the cd pair to the input the ics side to the output then connect whatever you want to the second set of terminals on the swich box & you can swap between them freely with cd selected the cassette option is in this thread http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-...-of-166-a.html (AUX / Line In on ICS of 166)

Thanks for the link! Anybody else tried this? It would be nice to use that one, then I could keep the CDC as-is, and get better use of the CC which I'm not using anyway.

Originally Posted by Addey

Thanks for the link! Anybody else tried this? It would be nice to use that one, then I could keep the CDC as-is, and get better use of the CC which I'm not using anyway.

Hi Addey!

Loudlink has got AUX-in from now.... for iPOD, iPHONE etc...

Originally Posted by Gustav_H

Yep, I've connected a RCA switch on the RCA cable to the cd-changer. This way I can choose to listen to a cd, or my MP3/Ipod/phone or whatever that connects in the 3,5mm connector. The only thing you need to remember is that you need a cd playing in the changer, otherwise the ICS will mute the sound.

Works perfect. I didn't even use a switch because I don't need the charger. I connected my iPod to the RCA cable that normally connects the CD-charger. The multipole Unilink connector plug is still in the charger.

I've done the same as Gustav, but i'm getting a whining that rises and falls with engine revs - does anyone know how to fix this?

Also for the Loudlink option, can you control playlists etc from the ICS - I checked out the loudlink website, but couldn't work out how you control the iPod.

Cheers

Philip

Originally Posted by philipohara

I've done the same as Gustav, but i'm getting a whining that rises and falls with engine revs - does anyone know how to fix this?

Also for the Loudlink option, can you control playlists etc from the ICS - I checked out the loudlink website, but couldn't work out how you control the iPod.

Cheers

Philip

Hi Philip!

(Loudlink has got selectable AUX-in(with pre-programable gain) from radio (for example select disk6 to enable AUX...disk1...disk5 remain for mp3 folders), controlling iPOD is different story...)

About whining:

-ground loop?
Has your player powered from car network or in-built battery?
Try to power from battery only. If the whining is smaller the reason is ground loop.

-low output level?
The whining is all time time hearable Thanks to the long cable from ICS to Boot... You can reduce if the output level of audio source is enough (means: no need to turn up the volume refer to CD Changer/FM Tuner volume when you would like to listen player)

Thanks Arnold, I have tried turning the ipod volume level right down and only controlling the volume from the ICS, but I still get the whining. The ipod does charge from the car battery, but I removed this connection and still the whining is there! I'm not sure what to do now!

If your Loudlink can control an iPod successfully I would buy one tomorrow!

Regards

Philip

Did you use a high quality cable with good shielding?

I did the first testdrive today and my iPod directly connected to the CDchanger input works perfectly.

I used the audio out from the cd player to plug my nokia N95 in but the volume and sound quality is very poor even using 320 bit rate for the MP3s. Not sure if this is the Nokia or the ICS.
I had the whining noise on my CD changer but seems to be better with using phone

Nige

Originally Posted by nige166

I used the audio out from the cd player to plug my nokia N95 in but the volume and sound quality is very poor even using 320 bit rate for the MP3s. Not sure if this is the Nokia or the ICS.
I had the whining noise on my CD changer but seems to be better with using phone

Nige

It's the Nokia. They have used some crap volume settings not to harm your ears. I tried to use my Nokia E70 as a MP3 in the car, but it was useless. As you say the volume is not near strong enough. My HTC S730 that I use now is MUCH better.

just plugged an ipod in and the volume is better but the sound quality is very strange can't hardly hear the vocals and the music sounds like it's underwater tried fiddling with ipod and ICS settings but no difference

help!!!!!

Originally Posted by philipohara

Thanks Arnold, I have tried turning the ipod volume level right down and only controlling the volume from the ICS, but I still get the whining. The ipod does charge from the car battery, but I removed this connection and still the whining is there! I'm not sure what to do now!

Regards

Philip

Try to use shorter cable... The original cable is very long...

Originally Posted by nige166

just plugged an ipod in and the volume is better but the sound quality is very strange can't hardly hear the vocals and the music sounds like it's underwater tried fiddling with ipod and ICS settings but no difference

help!!!!!

CD changer sound quality is okay?!

Are You sure Your iPOD to RCA cables are okay?

Thanks Arnold, perhaps a shorter cable is the way to go! I'll have to experiment.

Philip

I get an alternator wining on my MP3 player when the 12V adapter is connected. Otherwise it's the same good quality as the cd-changer. But it would have been nice to get rid of the wining when charging the MP3-player.

Any suggestions on reducing 12V depending wining?