Fungus
Part of things
Posts: 960
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Sept 23, 2015 23:48:36 GMT
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I need a hand with the stereo setup in my Polo- basically I'd like build a new stereo setup that doesn't use a head unit.
My only requirement is that I can connect my iPod/iPhone. Am i right in saying that i would just need an amplifier, a volume-pot and speakers?
If so, any recommendations?
Thanks in advance
Fungus
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Sept 24, 2015 14:32:36 GMT
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Years ago my advice would have been the Xetec USC-Evo, a rather small device to link any non-car audio gear with one or more amplifiers. That looks great but it's expensive, like 180 Euros. I've used amps like this in a car, just as a test because I'm nosey that way: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251872406806At the time they were fifteen quid but seem cheaper now. Probably not brilliant for purists though... I had a few at home when I was building boom boxes out of suitcases and the like, they were perfect for that. |
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,191
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Sept 24, 2015 17:25:43 GMT
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The above looks interesting for sure. Some cheap amps I have tried out have been variable though, but maybe you could be the first to try it  . If you really do not wish to go with a HU (why do you wish to not go down this route?) you could go about it a few ways that I have tried in a manner of strange and wonderful ways. 1) Buy a Bluetooth handsfree kit. My old car used to have one play the music through it with the HU off and I reckon you could use it for the same purpose. It could potentially be very discreet, and give you a number of options, including Bluetooth playback over your speakers and give you a charging port from which to charge your phone as well. Some do come with a 3.5mm Jack. That would IMO kill a few birds with one stone. I had one of these in my previous work hack: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/THB-BURY-CC9048-BLUETOOTH-HANDS-FREE-CAR-KIT-WITH-A2DP-AUDIO-STREAMING-/161356087187?hash=item2591927f932) Buy an amplifier and wire the remote wire to work off a switch. I say a switch as even on newish cars having the 3.5mm jack plug shorting out on the body can cause loud noises and not pleasant ones! You would lose out to the potential flexibility of the above but you would achieve your end goal  . |
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Fungus
Part of things
Posts: 960
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Sept 24, 2015 18:58:34 GMT
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Thanks for the replies fellas, I'll do some further research!
I'm not running a head unit because the space will be taken up by gauges (Mk2 polo, possibly the best car for doing this as the location is perfect) and I only ever use my iPod in the car.
Thanks again
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gazz81
Part of things
Posts: 842 
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Sept 24, 2015 19:10:26 GMT
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gazz81
Part of things
Posts: 842
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Sept 24, 2015 19:12:15 GMT
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Fungus
Part of things
Posts: 960
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Sept 24, 2015 19:12:47 GMT
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Cheers for the links! Looks promising.
Are they actually any different to normal car Amps? I'm happy to buy a decent spec amp if it means it'll give good sound quality.
Thanks
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gazz81
Part of things
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Sept 24, 2015 19:18:15 GMT
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Sept 24, 2015 19:40:32 GMT
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Simplest and cheapest way which I did on my last 2 old veedubs is a 2/4 channel amp hidden under the passenger seat (depending on speakers required) wired into the fuse box, with both perm live and remote live to an ignition live fuse (so the amp switches on and off when the engine is running) then a 3.5mm jack to twin phono leads adapter to plug the Ipod/phoe into. The volume is adjusted via the Ipod/phone...cheap and simple |
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,191
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Sept 24, 2015 21:57:59 GMT
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IME Home audio stuff is variable in a car. It can be done but it also requires work.
My JBL Flip is more than loud enough at home. In the car it really is not all that great! It is not terrible but no amazing either. Car speakers also tend to be quite inefficient. While car and home audio can be compared there is quite a contrast between the two in practice.
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VIP
South East
Posts: 8,293
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Sept 25, 2015 9:50:09 GMT
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Simplest and cheapest way which I did on my last 2 old veedubs is a 2/4 channel amp hidden under the passenger seat (depending on speakers required) wired into the fuse box, with both perm live and remote live to an ignition live fuse (so the amp switches on and off when the engine is running) then a 3.5mm jack to twin phono leads adapter to plug the Ipod/phoe into. The volume is adjusted via the Ipod/phone...cheap and simple This. Just buy a 2 or 4 channel amp, mount it somewhere discreet and power it in the normal way, link up the appropriate speakers. Instead of running RCA leads to it from a headunit, run a 3.5mm jack to RCA converter lead like this and just plug the iPod directly into it.  Did that years ago, albeit with a CD Walkman (that shows how long ago it was!) |
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rob0r
East of England
Posts: 2,743
Club RR Member Number: 104
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Sept 25, 2015 11:25:36 GMT
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Simplest and cheapest way which I did on my last 2 old veedubs is a 2/4 channel amp hidden under the passenger seat (depending on speakers required) wired into the fuse box, with both perm live and remote live to an ignition live fuse (so the amp switches on and off when the engine is running) then a 3.5mm jack to twin phono leads adapter to plug the Ipod/phoe into. The volume is adjusted via the Ipod/phone...cheap and simple This. Just buy a 2 or 4 channel amp, mount it somewhere discreet and power it in the normal way, link up the appropriate speakers. Instead of running RCA leads to it from a headunit, run a 3.5mm jack to RCA converter lead like this and just plug the iPod directly into it. Did that years ago, albeit with a CD Walkman (that shows how long ago it was!) Thirded, cheap and epically simple. Works very well! |
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E30 320i 3.5 - E23 730 - E3 3.0si - E21 316 M42 - E32 750i
ETC
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Sept 26, 2015 1:13:12 GMT
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As above the only thing you need to check is that the gain control adjusts down to 1.5v input.
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,191
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Sept 26, 2015 9:33:35 GMT
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That looks great but it's expensive, like 180 Euros. ... I´m sure back in those days I bought two of them new for that price. But let´s be real: People are ready to pay stupid money for those overpriced phones & pods of that "fruit company". And then there is no money left for additional gear in good quality? That´s like buying a porsche, but using 20W50 oil and some LingLong tyres?! Sure you still can drive, but then... I don´t get it. There is a bloke I know who does just that. He has a Porsche 968 Sport on cheap bits here and there (OK, some of them have been researched to be fair) on GT Champiro tyres. Just what is the point? Surely a Mercedes would have been better and comfier! |
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Sept 26, 2015 19:00:06 GMT
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That looks great but it's expensive, like 180 Euros. ... And then there is no money left for additional gear in good quality? That´s like buying a porsche, but using 20W50 oil and some LingLong tyres?! Sure you still can drive, but then... I don´t get it. I know soooo many people like that... I've seen phones and iPads cooked (literally, black components inside) by people using 99p eBay chargers. |
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Sept 28, 2015 0:16:30 GMT
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And then there is no money left for additional gear in good quality? That´s like buying a porsche, but using 20W50 oil and some LingLong tyres?! Sure you still can drive, but then... I don´t get it. I know soooo many people like that... I've seen phones and iPads cooked (literally, black components inside) by people using 99p eBay chargers. Really?! Can they really do that? Are there any good quality but cheaper than Apple alternatives? Sorry for massive off topic diversion! |
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Sept 28, 2015 7:40:12 GMT
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I know soooo many people like that... I've seen phones and iPads cooked (literally, black components inside) by people using 99p eBay chargers. Really?! Can they really do that? Are there any good quality but cheaper than Apple alternatives? Sorry for massive off topic diversion! I would usually go for an off-brand (HTC, Huwai) OEM charger because it'll still be a 2A charger but it'll be well enough made that they sell in big name phone shops. It was an extreme example though, I'm using loads of eBay sourced wireless charging pads and recievers at the moment and they've not killed anything or burned the house down. Don't lose sleep over cheapo chargers... |
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