Apple iPod in my allroad (update) AUX input

[Nebuchadnezzar]

I just received my AUX input adapter that was recommended to me by a forum member. I purchased it from autotoys.

Just wanted to let you all know that it works PERFECTLY!!! It basically fools the stereo into thinking there is a cd changer installed, and allows you to pump in any audio source via two RCA cables. The sound quality is excellent... much much better than an FM modulator or cassette adapter. I placed my U2 Achtung Baby cd in the dash and compared it with the same song running off my iPod (256k encoding)... and it sounded exactly the same... for my ears anyways.

I questioned whether it worked with the Bose Symphony upgraded stereo... but it seems to work with any Audi stereo.

If you're looking for a way to get another source (MP3 player, DVD audio, whatever) into your Audi, the Aux input adapter from autotoys.com is your answer.

So now, I just have to run the cables cleanly in my car and

[Jack Hinks]

This is the first I've heard about it, and I'd like to know more. How complex was the installation? What's it called, exactly? And so on. I'm traveling with my iPod all the time, but would love to get back the sound that I lose through the cassette adapter...

[jfischetti]

I received my AUX adapter on Friday, and spent an hour doing the connection and "hide the wire" thing. Here's my experience.

Connection

1. The Adapter plugs into the unconnected CD changer plug wth no problem, since the cars plug has a locking pin on the plug that the adapter doesn't have - i taped the plugs together to ensure a tight connection. I had an instance where the connection wasn't
occuring - when i finally taped it together i had no problems.

Wire hiding.

2. I ran the RCA-plug extention from the adapter out of the cargo area and along the left wall of the cargo bay under my "weathertech" mat and then between the back seat. (I ran the cable UNDER the hinge that the seat pivots up and down on)

After getting it around the hinge, i ran it under the seat and then worked it under the plastic runner that spans the back seat entry way. (Getting the cable under the plastic runner was really easy)

I kept it under the liner until i came to the seatbelt bracket, once there, i went over it and then ran the cable under the seat.

Once under the seat i attached the RCA-Mini cable to the chain and the cable was complete.

As an added help to me, i ran the head of the micro plug under the plastic edging on the lower part of drivers seat (parallel to the center console) so that i could retract the cable under the seat without ever losing the head.

The plug is now always accessible to my right between my seat and the center console.

Placement & sound

So now i can pull out the cable, connect it and place the ipod into the E-brake well to the left of the handle. Sometimes i can also loop the cable under the e-brake handle and place the iPod on the closed center console cupholder area.

Select "CD Changer " mode

Ahhhh. The sound is so much better than my cassette adapter that i've been using since christmas when i got this little wonder. Although the initial volume is a bit lower than CD or Radio, turning up the volume on the head unit does the trick and it still sounds great.

(Be careful going from iPod to Radio....it's a usually pretty loud difference when switching)

I can't wait to go on a long drive and push the 8-10 hour battery....

Hope that helps. let me know if you have any more questions.

[JustJeff]

• Auxiliary Input to the OEM- Non-Bose Upgrade Head Unit

[jfischetti]

Here's the link to get the adapter -- Also see my above post re: installation.

If you have an AllRoad it's a breeze - Plug and play really...

• AUX Input Adapter from AutoToys.com

[jfischetti]

Jeff, I must be missing something. Why are you taking apart the head unit?

If you have the adapter and the DIN plug in the back of the TT - why do you need to solder two more RCA jacks to the head unit board?

I gather it has something to do with an amp, but can't figure out what.

Help me out - i'm curious.. Thanks

[JustJeff]

You are right, the extra RCA's are for another small power amp for the front speakers.
The non-upgraded stereo system uses an amp in the head unit to power the front speakers.
The cable harness does not have the connections for the RCA outs, or I would not have had to resort to such drastic measures, as the take apart the head unit.

Now this system is set up for when I replace the power amp with a 5-channel unit for the fronts, rears, and sub-woof.

Also, since this was done, I added in the aux. input mini-plug to the wiring at the head unit, and ran it out under the radio, to where the ash tray is in the TT. This way I don't have to run the cable back to the RCA jacks on this adapter.

The adapter simply 'tricks' the head unit into thinking there is a CD changer connected, and opens up the 'mode' switch to accept this line input.
Where you tap into this doesn't matter. The adapter simply taps into this way back at the CD changer cable connector. I modified this to put the input clopse to the head unit, that's all.

Does this help?

[Jack Hinks]

[grat]

I had problems with autotoys.com ordering requiremnets and never got a response from thier customer service department. so I went looking elsewhere. Just got my cable today, haven't had a change to plug it in, but looks like the same beast autotoys sells. (shipping was $9.50 to colorado from New Jersey via UPS).

fj..

• http://www.rcainput.com/Merchant2/me...AUDI%2FAUX-V.1

[MNSteve]

Sounds like this will only work if you don't have a CD changer. Is that correct? I was thinking about satellite radio, and wondering if I could do an installation similar to this for the XM radio setup. Seems the only other option is to use the cassette adapter, which has obvious drawbacks. Any thoughts?