mike27t

link to xpost in A4 forum: <a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a4gen2/msgs/704507.phtml">https://forums.audiworld.com/a4gen2/msgs/704507.phtml</a>
link to xpost in A6 forum: <a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/444228.phtml">https://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/444228.phtml</a>

<b><big>Introduction</big></b>
I have spent some time investigating the various options available for hardwiring an iPod into my Audi audio system. The main reason for hardwiring is to have an integrated solution with the best sound quality and avoid a cassette tape or FM transmitter solution.

I have a Symphony II radio with an in-dash CD changer, without satellite, and without a CD changer socket in the trunk. <i>I also looked at what was needed for a trunk CD changer and these comments are in italics</i>. As a consequence you should be able to apply much of what I have written to your own car. I did not bother looking at what was needed for satellite radio capable systems so those of you with newer Audis are out of luck for now. In general I found the most options for trunk CD changers, the least for those with satellite radio capability and in the middle for in-dash CD changer like my car. <b>All part names are in bold</b>.

<b>Disclaimers:</b> I have not yet tried out these options so all my notes are from what I have gleaned from the limited amount of information on the various websites. All prices are the cheapest I found rather than MSRP. I am not responsible for any of these options working or not working with your car. Please consult a specialist if you are in any doubt about what to install and how to install it. I am not affiliated with Audi or any of the companies mentioned in this article. All trademarks and copyrights belong to the respective companies.

<b><big>Criteria</big></b>
Here are the 6 criteria I used when evaluating the different options:
1. Does it just provide a simple audio hookup between the iPod and radio?
2. Is the iPod powered from the car's switched 12V supply?
3. Is there some level of control over the iPod functions from the radio?
4. Can I later add more auxiliary inputs for other audio inputs such as after-market satellite radio?
5. What kind of atheistic options are there in terms of hiding/not hiding the iPod?
6. How much does it cost?

<b><big>Overview of Different Options</big></b>
The options can be broadly divided into 3 categories:

<b>A. RCA for Audio Input into CD Changer</b>. RCA is used as an intermediate format that can be plugged into the CD changer port on the back of the Symphony II radio using the appropriate connector. The advantage of this option is that it is simple and fairly cheap but there is no facility to control the iPod. <i>Note for Trunk mounted CD changers, you may need to run RCA extension cables from the trunk to the dash area where the iPod will be used</i>.
There are 3 options in this category which all include some extra electronics to fool the radio into thinking it is talking to a CD changer:
A1) Blitzsafe
A2) P.I.E
A3) Soundgate

The options in this category need to be connected to an option from category B that converts the iPod output to RCA. In some cases people have found that they needed to use a ground-loop isolator to eliminate hum from the signal. See the picture below for a ground loop isolator from Radio Shack (<b>Part #270-054</b>) that costs $17.

This option also easily supports multiple RCA inputs that are switched using something like the <b>Soundgate AUX3</b> 3-way auxiliary audio switching device pictured below that costs $60.
<img src="http://store1.yimg.com/I/logjam_1802_11191647">

<b>B. RCA for Audio Output from iPod</b>. The simplest connection to an iPod is to use a Y cable to connect the 1/8" stereo phone plug (iPod headphone socket) to two RCA plugs. Depending on where you go and the quality you want (Radio Shack, Belkin, Monster), you could pay anything from $7 to $30 for this cable.

Because the output level from an iPod is low, you will need to turn up the volume on both the iPod and your radio to hear anything. This can lead to distortion and defeat the object of trying to hardwire an iPod into the radio. I investigated 3 options that include a built-in amplifier to alleviate this problem.
B1) Powered Belkin
B2) Enfig AUX
B3) ICELink Aux

<b>C. All-in-One Cables</b>. These cables connect from the iPod to the CD changer port on the back of the radio. They usually involve protocol mediation where both ends (radio and iPod) are converted to a common protocol such as Alpine M-Bus. In general these all-in-one cables can also provide more control of the iPod from the radio. The options in this category are:
C1) Enfig
C2) ICELink 1.1
C3) PIE + ICELink
C4) Blitzsafe + ICELink
C5) Soundgate + ICELink
C6) PAC AUX-POD

Below is a description of each of the options A1-A3, B1-B3 and C1-C6.

<b><big>A1) Blitzsafe</big></b>
Many people have reported successful hookups with the <a href="http://www.blitzsafe.com/blitz_catalog/blitz_aux/blitz_aux_list/blitz_audi/blitz_audi.html">Blitzsafe</a> product. There are a few reports of problems with either receiving the wrong cable or having it wired incorrectly. The part you need is the <b>Blitzsafe AUDI/AUX DMX V.1B</b> as shown in the picture below and it costs $70.
<img src="http://www.enfig.com/online-store/scstore/graphics/AUDI_AUX_DMX_V1B.JPG">
As you can see it is the blue plug on the right that plugs into the CD changer part of the Symphony II. The wires from the CD changer are connected into the Blitzsafe electronics which provides two RCAs and a black ground wire. <i>The part number for trunk CD changers is <b>Blitzsafe AUDI/AUX DMX V.1</b></i>.

<b><big>A2) P.I.E</big></b>
Precision Interface Electronics (or better known as PIE) also have a variety of car audio installation accessories. For a Symphony II you will need a <b>PIE VWR-AUX</b> connector as shown below that costs $70.
<img src="http://store1.yimg.com/I/logjam_1802_17331115">
In the picture above you will notice that the connector only has a blue 8-pin plug for pins 13-20 on the back of the radio. Therefore you will also need the <b>PIE AA3-HAR</b> adaptor to plug this into an existing radio in a similar way to the Blitzsafe cable. AA3-HAR as shown in the picture below costs $30.
<img src="http://www.pie.net/jpegs/aa3-har.jpg">
All together this option costs $100. <i>The equivalent cable for a trunk CD changer is the <b>PIE AUDI-AUX</b>.</i>

<b><big>A3) Soundgate</big></b>
Soundgate also allows you to plug into the back of the radio with RCA inputs as explained on <a href="http://www.soundgate.com/products/aux-in/audi-vw.htm">http://www.soundgate.com/products/aux-in/audi-vw.htm</a> but unfortunately there are no pictures. The two parts you will need are the <b>Soundgate AUXVW</b> and the <b>Soundgate VWCBLF</b> which will cost around <a href="http://store.yahoo.com/logjam/soundauxvw.html">$100</a>. <i>For trunk CD changers use the <b>Soundgate VWCBLA</b> instead of the VWCBLF</i>.

<b><big>B1) Powered Belkin</big></b>
The <a href="http://www.ipodlounge.com/reviews_more.php?id=987_0_6_0_M"><b>Belkin Auto Kit</b></a> has a 12V powered amplifier that overcomes the problem of low audio output from an iPod and also charges the iPod from a cigarette lighter. Because this connector has a builtin 1/8" stereo phone plug, you need a RCA Y cable as well. Assuming you use a middle of the road <a href="http://www.enfig.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/p-F8V235_07GLD_AP.html?L+scstore"><b>Belkin RCA adaptor</b></a> for $20, the total cost for this option is around $60.
<img src="http://www.enfig.com/online-store/scstore/graphics/F8V7058_APL%20copy.JPG">

<b><big>B2) Enfig AUX</big></b>
The <a href="http://www.enfig.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/p-IPOD3_POWER.html?L+scstore"><b>Enfig IPOD AUX</b></a> has a charger, amplifier and RCA plugs as shown in the picture below. The cost is $75 which is slightly more than option B1 but it eliminates the need for a 12V auxiliary power socket at the expense of providing two bare wires that need to be connected to ground and a switched 12V supply.
<img src="http://www.enfig.com/online-store/scstore/productpics/IPOD_AUX_small.JPG">.
This picture suggests that this option is superior to the Belkin amplifier (Option B1 above) but this needs verification.

<b><big>B3) ICELink Aux</big></b>
Dension offer a powered auxiliary iPod output to RCA plugs called the <a href="http://densionusa.com/merchant/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=DU&Product_Cod e=I11_AUX&Category_Code=IA_AFTERMARKET"><b>Dension ICELink I11_AUX</b></a> for $119. An additional advantage of this option is that it includes a docking cradle instead of the usual iPod docking cable.

<b><big>C1) Enfig</big></b>
This product is a Blitzsafe audio input and a Belkin car charger/amplifier merged into an all-in-one cable that looks like a hack but actually could save quite a bit of effort - in other words a combination of option A1 and B1. Here is a picture of one for a VW that shows how the Blitzsafe cable, fuse and Belkin car charger are all wired together.
<img src="http://www.enfig.com/online-store/scstore/productpics/VW_AUX_DMX_V5_BELKIN.JPG">
As you can see from the picture, the cable only needs three connections: ground, radio and iPod. The price for the <a href="http://www.enfig.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/p-AUDI_AUX_DMX_V1B_BELKIN.html?L+scstore"><b>Enfig Audi IPOD 1</b></a> is $150. <i>This cable is not available for trunk mounted CD changers</i>.

It would also be possible to add support for multiple RCA inputs by cutting the three appropriate wires (left, right, and ground) and solder in some RCA plugs/sockets for connection to a RCA input switcher.

<b><big>C2) ICELink 1.1</big></b>
The claim to fame for the Dension ICELink is that it is a modular but all-in-one cable that allows some control over the iPod using the factory radio. Currently next/previous track and fast forward/reverse track are supported. The iPod can either be plugged into a docking cradle or use the dock cable. The picture below shows the ICELink concept which would appear to convert both ends into an Alpine CD changer (M-Bus) protocol so they can communicate and the radio can send control signals to the iPod.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/53905/icelink_overview.jpg">
The concept is neat but expensive. For a while Dension had on their website a <b>Dension ICELink I11_AUDI_R</b> that connects to the back of the Symphony II radio CD changer port. Initially the part was out of stock, then it was in stock for $229 for about 2 weeks and according to Dension (on 10/11/2004) it is on backorder and will be available in 30 days. In the meantime here is the <a href="http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:LXT-xWb4_GUJ:densionusa.com/merchant/merchant.mvc%3FScreen%3DPROD%26Store_Code%3DDU%26P roduct_Code%3DI11_Audi_R%26Category_Code%3DIA_AUDI +ICELink+I11_AUDI_R&hl=en">cached page from Google</a> that shows the part. <i>For Audis with a trunk CD changer, you can order the <a href="http://densionusa.com/merchant/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=IA_AUDI"><b >Dension ICELink I11_AUDI_T</b></a> for $219.</i>

<b><big>C3) PIE + ICELink</big></b>
This option also allows some control over the IPod by utilizing the Alpine M-Bus protocol. It comes into two parts, the iPod output to Alpine M-Bus and the radio input from the M-Bus.

The first part is a <a href="http://densionusa.com/merchant/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=DU&Product_Cod e=I11_MBUS&Category_Code=IA_AFTERMARKET">Dension ICELink to M-Bus cable for iPod</a> (<b>Dension ICELink I11_MBUS</b>) and costs $160 from Dension. LogJam Electronics also sells it for $150 but calls it the <b>Dension ICELink I11_ALPINE</b> - I think these are the same thing.
<img src="http://lib1.store.vip.sc5.yahoo.com/lib/logjam/icelinkdia.jpg">

The second part is the M-Bus to radio cable. PIE has one called the <b>PIE VWR/PC-ALP</b> as shown in the picture below.
<img src="http://store1.yimg.com/I/logjam_1814_10926316">.
This PIE cable also needs the <b>PIE AA3-HAR</b> adaptor as in option A2 above. The cost of these two parts is <a href="http://www.logjamelectronics.com/pievwrpcalp.html">$100</a>. Total cost with the ICELink is $250. This combination needs further investigation because it has not been tested by Dension. <i>For trunk CD changers the equivalent part is the <b>PIE AUD/PC-ALP</b> for $70 and a total cost of $220.</i>

<b><big>C4) Blitzsafe + ICELink</big></b>
This is similar to option C3 above but the PIE part is replaced by a Blitzsafe part called the <a href="http://blitzsafe.com/blitz_catalog/blitz_interfaces/blitz_interface_list/blitz_audi_alpine/blitz_audi_alpine.html"><b>Blitzsafe AUDI/ALP DMX V.1A</b></a> that costs <a href="http://www.enfig.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/p-AUDI_ALP_DMX_V1A.html?L+scstore">$77</a>. Total cost with the ICELink should be around $230. This combination needs further investigation because it has not been tested by Dension. <i>For trunk CD changers the equivalent part is the <b>Blitzsafe AUDI/ALP DMX V.1</b></i> and costs $60.

<b><big>C5) Soundgate + ICELink</big></b>
This is similar to option C3 but the PIE part is replaced by a Soundgate part called the <a href="http://www.soundgate.com/products/cd/audi-vw.htm"><b>Soundgate ALVW1V3</b></a>. This connector also needs a radio specific connector called the <b>Soundgate VWCBLF</b> as described in option A3 above. The cost of these two parts is <a href="http://www.logjamelectronics.com/soundalvw1.html">$100</a>. Total cost with the ICELink is $260. This combination needs further investigation because it has not been tested by Dension.

<b><big>C6) PAC AUX-POD</big></b>
The <b>PAC AUX-POD</b> is a all-in-one cable that allows the radio to control some aspects of the iPod. <i>Unfortunately it is only supported for Audis with trunk CD changers via the <b>PAC AB_AUDI</b> cable. This option costs <a href="http://www.logjamelectronics.com/pacauxpod.html">$170</a></i>

<b><big>Summary of Options</big></b>
The spreadsheet below summarizes each option with the part names, characteristics and cost.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/53905/ipod_options.jpg">

<b><big>Conclusions</big></b>
I found that there are lots of options for connecting an iPod to the factory radio, each of which has a number of advantages and disadvantages depending on what you are looking for. As with most things you normally get what you pay for.

These conclusions are my view on the best options for an in-dash CD changer Symphony II radio. You should be able to use the notes and table above to draw your own conclusions based on your car's configuration and own personal criteria.

In my view if you want a relatively simply input with no control over the iPod from the radio, then the best solution is option C1 - the <b>Enfig Audi IPOD 1</b> cable for $150. If you don't like this all-in-one approach then the best combination solution is the <b>Blitzsafe AUDI/AUX DMX V.1B</b> (option A1), the <b>Belkin Auto Kit</b> (option B1), and a RCA Y cable which should cost around $130. If you want control over the iPod from the radio, then you will need a ICELink based solution that uses the Alpine M-Bus protocol and spend $80 extra for the privilege. Assuming it is in stock again, then the best option is the <b>Dension ICELink I11_AUDI_R</b> for $230.

So the $64,000 question for me is the remote control, iPod cradle and waiting time worth an extra $80? My answer is yes. I will use a Belkin Cassette Adapter (better than FM transmitter) in the meantime.

<b><big>Previous Audiworld threads on iPod hardwiring</big></b>
This section has links to other iPod install articles on Audiworld.
<a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a4gen2/threads/28235.phtml">https://forums.audiworld.com/a4gen2/threads/28235.phtml</a>
<a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/342704.phtml">https://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/342704.phtml</a>
<a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a4/msgs/1983094.phtml">https://forums.audiworld.com/a4/msgs/1983094.phtml</a>
<a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/tt/msgs/1121243.phtml">https://forums.audiworld.com/tt/msgs/1121243.phtml</a>
<a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/281708.phtml">https://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/281708.phtml</a>

<b><big>Useful Websites</big></b>
Here is a list of websites in alphabetically order that may be useful:
<a href="https://www.audiworld.com/search/">AudiWorld (of course)</a>
<a href="http://www.autotoys.com/x/catalog/index.html">Autotoys</a>
<a href="http://www.blitzsafe.com/blitz_catalog/blitz_catalog.html">Blitzsafe</a>
<a href="http://www.densionusa.com/x/index.php">Dension (Icelink)</a>
<a href="http://www.enfig.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/shophome.html?E+scstore">Enfig Motorsports</a>
<a href="http://www.logjamelectronics.com/">Logjam Electronics</a>
<a href="http://www.pie.net/">PIE</a>
<a href="http://www.soundgate.com/">SoundGate</a>

Bruck

I am awaiting an early version of it next week, and its gonna be a bit "special". Email me and I'll keep you updated with pictures.

mike27t

Do you have any more details on the function and price? How far away is this one from general release since the I11_AUDI_R has been extremely hard to get hold of?

Do you work for Dension by any chance? I would be willing to also test the new one

Bruck

I do not work for dension. There are no new features to the user, however the design is greatly changed, well more so the implementation, instead of using hardware to convert the signals, they reprogrammed the icelink to interpret them itself so the black or silver box is completely removed, replaced by some type of cable switcher, I dont have mine yet but I can take pics when I get it. Reliability is supposed to be improved, as well as a common problem such as the phone mute function actually pausing and unpausing the ipod.

jpc-S4

...but you still can't use it in an XM-equipped B6 S4 w/o a manual switch?

mike27t

ICELink currently uses Alpine M-BUS as far as I can tell and translates each end (radio and iPod) into this common protocol. That is partly why the ICELink has such limited functionality.

What I was really hoping for was a Audi specific solution that allows the same degree of control as the PhatBox and also receives the artist/track information and displays it on the radio.

See <a href="http://www.phatnoise.com/audi/downloads/SSA_Glove_Box_Guide.pdf">http://www.phatnoise.com/audi/downloads/SSA_Glove_Box_Guide.pdf</a> for what I mean.

McLoffs

...does that mean it would be possible to use this sort of setup to run an Alpine changer with the stock stereo?

I ask because I'd love to keep my Concert deck (I have a '99.5 A4), and use both an iPod and a CD changer with it. So far it doesn't seem like that sort of setup exists, though.

mike27t

See<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/444388.phtml">https://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/444388.phtml</a></li></ul>

Bruck

the headunit can not display cd text information in cd changer mode. this is a fact. it can not be hacked the only variables being displayed are digits 0 - 9.

Plus, the other limitation is the ipod, look at any ipod remote, only basic control is available via the ipod's music interface thru dock connector based commands.

It will take a different ipod and a different headunit to be able to control more of the ipod and view more information.

Ted4S4

Found this on <a href="www.ipodlounge.com">ipodlounge</a>:

<a href="http://ipod2car.com/index.shtml">ipod2car</a>

FWIW it appears to be a cheaper iceLink at $189, but with the same functionality.

Does anyone have any experience with this new interface?