Connecting mp3-player to BOSE

[midNight Sun Xpress]

Is there anybody who has successfully installed mp3-player or aux-equipment? (other than the CD-changer in the boot)
I consider to make a connection for my mini mp3-player, but would like some feedback from the forum before I start to undo the interior around the stereo-system.

 

[PHOEN$X]

You could always use a cassette adapter or an FM modulator to play the MP3 sound through the stereo (I'm assuming you're talking about a portable MP3 player). Or put a boombox in the passenger seat, it sounds good as (if not better than) the Bose speakers.

 

[Russ]

This adapter from PIE Electronics might work:

ALP/M-RCA

FEATURES: THE ALP/M-RCA IS DESIGNED TO CONVERT THE M-BUS CD-CHANGER PORT TO STEREO RCA INPUTS, ALLOWING ANY RCA LEVEL DEVICE TO CONNECT DIRECTLY INTO THE ALPINE AUDIO SYSTEM.

REQUIRES: RADIO MUST BE VERSATILE LINK COMPATIBLE.

CONNECTS TO: M-BUS CONNECTOR BEHIND RECEIVER.

 

[midNight Sun Xpress]

Thanks for feedback, both of you.
It is a portable. These new ones are so small that they fit everywhere, and with USB-connector on the device it is easy to reload them with music.
I have tried a cassette-adapter, but the cassette-player will not accept this device and keeps turning and turning. I have used the same adapter on different players over the years (Pioneer, Kenwood etc.) and connected a portable CD-player. Never experienced this before.
With the ALP/M-RCA adapter I could make a "quick-connection" in the ashtray-box and hide the MP3-player.

 

[greyacura]

I've been lurking here cause I want to own an NSX one day. Anyways I might be able to help you here as I was able to do what you want on my Legend.

First of all - do you already have a CD deck or changer? If no, then easier.

If no, there is generally an 8 pin DIN plug on the back of most Acura decks. The connections on this plug is like the "monitor" or tape deck connections on your home receiver. In other words it has RCA inputs which could take the output from your mini player.

OK, how do I get the deck to switch to these inputs? Well one of the connections is looking for 6V. This tells the deck to switch to the DIN plug input. This signal could be sent by your CD changer when turned on.

If you want to use a portable player, then you need to install a switch that controls 6V to the "sense" input.

What I did was this; I used a spdt 3 position switch to overcome additional shortcomings to the Acura deck ( from this forum it looks like even NSXes are affected) The antenna always comes up when the deck is activated. When playing CDs or cassettes the antenna should be down- right? Saves wear and tear on those notorious weak Honda antenna mast mechanisms. OK, with this switch, I cut into the antenna power line ( generally yellow with silver tracer) put this onto the center terminal of the switch. the other terminal goes back to the antenna . I now have an antenna switch which remains the antenna down unless I turn it on. The other terminal is connected in series with a 4-5 kilohm resistor to the sense connector on the DIN plug.

When the switch is in neutral the antenna is down, when antenna is turned on, everything is normal and antenna is up. When switch is on other side - the RCA input is activated and antenna is down.

If you already have a CD deck, all is not lost since all you need to do is add a DPDT two position switch that selects the CD or portable player.

One bad thing - those DIN pinouts are NOT standard across hondas. So you might have to use a multimeter to figure it out but it's not too bad.

I added a mini plug to the dash that allows me to plug in the mini player.

Reply if you're still interested.

 

[midNight Sun Xpress]

Thamks a lot.
I totally agree on the antenna-stuff, and it is worth making the antenna switch anyway. At least they could have angeld the antenna a bit to match the rest of the car, not as a vertical, big pole coming up....
I do not have the Cd-changer, but the wiring is pre-installed to the trunk. It should be fairly easy to locate the wiring in the coupe and install a minijack, i.e. an 2,5mm stereojack to be connected to the headset-jack on the player. (these new mp3-players are so small that they fit in a matchbox...) And then it is possible to adjust the signal level to the BOSE by adjusting the volum on the mp3-player.
The idea is to hide the mp3-player in the ashtray.
Do you have any experience with using an adapter as Russ is describing?

 

[greyacura]

I also installed a mini jack for the same reason you desire. No I am not familiar with the jack but... in essence it should be easier in that you would not need to get the deck out unless you really want to add that antenna switch.

Two ways to tackle this. Get as much documentation as you can about the pinout and what changers can be directly plugged in. You are likely to get more info from a deck mfr than the oem deck.

Or get a service manual that covers the pinout on the deck.

Also check carstereohelp.net

Are you handy with a multimeter? If so, you will find this a snap.

 

[Ojas]

Just in case...

In case you have not seen it yet: There's a diagram of the CD changer pinout in the DIY: Audio section of the FAQ.

 

[greyacura]

http://www.pie.net/aux_appl_honda.htm

this ready made adapter might be the easiest for you guys.

 

[optimist]

http://www.pie.net/aux_appl_honda.htm

this ready made adapter might be the easiest for you guys.

Does this replace the CD changer with the aux device, or make a Y for the CD changer And the aux device?

Not sure how to read the Note re: NSX. Is that Not compatible with NSX equipped with Navigation, or (as written) NSX or RL equipped with Navigation? Since no NSXes I know of have Navigation systems, I'm guessing that means this isn't compatible with the NSX.

I've been wanting something like this too - I'm using my iPod via the cassette adapter - kind of like pushing the NSX instead of driving it.

 

[midNight Sun Xpress]

I'm using my iPod via the cassette adapter - kind of like pushing the NSX instead of driving it. [/B]

I have tried a a77 cassette adapter, but the player keeps turning and turning. Have you experienced this and which brand of adapter are you using?

 

[Ojas]

Does this replace the CD changer with the aux device, or make a Y for the CD changer And the aux device?

I think this replaces the CD changer with the aux input. However, the Blitzsafe HON/ALP DMX appears to do one better than a Y-input. From what I can tell, it actually allows you to select the "AUX" input using the head unit.

 

[optimist]

I have tried a a77 cassette adapter, but the player keeps turning and turning. Have you experienced this and which brand of adapter are you using?

I haven't experienced any problems - except once when the cord running from the cassette got hung up and there was tension on it.

I use the cassette adapter from this package:

http://www.marware.com/Connect2.html

which is a bundle of connector wires, AC and cassette adapter for the iPod. But, everything except the AC adapter would work for any mp3 player (or other) - and the AC adapter would work too if the player recharges using a firewire connection.

There's nothing written on the cassette adapter to indicate who makes it so I'm guessing it's nothing special. Maybe the Sony adapter would work for you?

 

[optimist]

I think this replaces the CD changer with the aux input. However, the Blitzsafe HON/ALP DMX appears to do one better than a Y-input. From what I can tell, it actually allows you to select the "AUX" input using the head unit.

Way cool - wonder why it's only for '98 on. Which hurts me with a '93. Otoh, it's almost half the price of the mp3 cd changer...

 

[Ojas]

Way cool - wonder why it's only for '98 on. Which hurts me with a '93. Otoh, it's almost half the price of the mp3 cd changer...

Yeah, I don't know what's up with that. In fact, a while ago, I contacted PIE about their adapter (the site says it will not work on the NSX). After I explained that NSX uses the standard M-bus (with the two pins flipped) just like other Hondas, and he said that it SHOULD work on the NSX. I decided to take a different route with my system so I never tried it.

It would be worth givin Blitzsafe a call or email. I get the feeling that the applications listed on these websites might not be totally inclusive.

 

[mick]

I tried the PIE adapter in my NSX. It will work, but not well. You have about 5 seconds after power up to push program and then push some other function such as next track or the head unit senses a error. I talked to the product manager of this unit and they have no interest in making a unit to fit a "older car" like the NSX.

 

[greyacura]

If you have a cd changer there is an easy way to get into the line in. Cut the left and right signal wires from the deck and then put that into a selector switch. A DPDT rocker or toggle is fine. The select if you want to have the changer or portable L&R signals. Your deck may be running but you got the portable signal.

I foresee an issue with all new cars here. The music paradigm is shifting to portables integrating with personal devices of communications & data. Yet mfrs are not providing any means of alternate sound input to current decks.

 

[mick]

If you use a switch are the ground wires for the L&R outputs from the changer and the aux player connected and not switched?

 

[greyacura]

tie/join the grounds together from the cd changer.

 

[eNdeSeX]

Hi there everyone!

Is there anybody out there who knows of any other supplier of the PIE ALP/M-RCA aux-converter than LOGJAM ELECTRONICS (LOGJAMELECTRONICS.COM)?

They seem to NOT ship anything outside the US.
I live in Norway...

Thanks for any reply on this!

Tore Kvittem
[email protected]
Norway