Using Autochanger audio input as 'AUX IN'?

[George]

In the car at the mo I have an OE style Blaupunkt.


Although it looks great being completely period it does have a number of 'foibles' which although can be overlooked, in the long term have a tendancy to annoy.

I usually use a cassette adaptor pluged into my mp3 player to listen to music. This typically works very well...when it actually does work. Often the stereo takes time to 'warm up' before it will 'accept' the cassette adaptor without autoejecting it after 2 seconds. When used in the morning, this can be very frustrating as a situation of insert autoeject insert autoeject insert autoeject manifests itself before I get annoyed, punch the stereo and throw the cassette adaptor across the car.

The other odd characteristic is to do with the radio. This usually works well, however as the stereo warms up (and I mean literally as it can be dependant whether I have heater controls to the central air vents) the ability to pick up FM stations on the upper end of the waveband drops off. Firstly Heart (106), then Radio 1 (98.8 ), LBC (97.3) and lastly Capital (95.8 ). Radio 4 (93.5) never appears to drop off. MW is never affected so I always have Radio 5 Live to fall back on.

This can take from 45 minutes onwards (typically 1.5hrs). It's a very odd phenomenon. By the time Capital (my usual station) has 'disappeared' the stereo is sufficiently 'warmed' up to accept the cassette adaptor without autoejection.

Foibles, character, call it what you wish it's annoying nonetheless, especially when sometimes you just want things to 'work'. As such, I am considering potential 'upgrades'.

I've found the old Sony stereo that the E36 had from the factory (official BMW upgrade). The style is old skool and I think would suit the E30's dash.


It has an input for an autochanger (labelled UNILINK AUDIO IN) via the RCA phono connectors:


On the otherside is the connection for the auto changer control:


Corresponding connections on the autochanger:


Big question:

- Can I use the RCA input on the stereo designed for the autochanger as an AUX in for my mp3 player?? The stereo will need to be 'tricked' into thinking an auto changer is attached to accept the audio input.

I could run one of these:

from the back of the stereo into the ashtray as such, easy convenient plug and play for any mp3 player without the hassle of cassette adaptors.

Any ideas??

[miniblob]

I wouldn't give any money back guarantees, but I reckon you might be able to use that input on the old sony's!! iirc the rca/phono's just carry audio and the other lead carried the data.
It's just whether the sony will recieve from them without the relevant data signal, but i think that was a one way out on the data side, just to let you switch discs/tracks?
The CD button may switch it to that input without the data connection?

I reckon you might get lucky, and it wouldn't do an MP3 player any harm to try it!!!

If it doesn't appear to work and you have the autochanger to hand, plug in the data cable to there and the rca lead to the MP3 player and see what happens.
Then try getting a cd playing in the changer, but with the MP3 connected to the rca's? That's gotta fool it!!!

Let us know what happens

[bss325i]

I just used google images and put in "sony ipod rca cd chnager"

This is just one of many interfaces.

http://www.nexxia.co.uk/product.asp?pro ... AR%20AUDIO

Google what i have and have a look.

[bss325i]

By the way, if you want to retain a blaupunkt then an SQR88 Memphis or Woodstock is what you want.

Its what i have and works awesome in conjuction with a BQA80 amp, some Alpine components up front and some BMW Hi Fi pack speakers in the rear. The sound quality surprised me!

Here's a vid i did today demonstrating the ipod compatibility and the tape function of the SQR88.

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The two songs you can hear were in the charts in '88 and '89 which are very fitting for this head unit!

[youtube][/youtube]

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[George]

Bss - that's great, thanks. Didn't know such a cable existed! Will certainly do some further research. I presume they do different cables for different brands.

I want to keep it looking as original as possible and the old skool Blaupunkt style suits very well imo. (The Sony isn't too bad though).

Although the cassette adaptor is good (when it works) there is a fair amount of background hum/noise at higher volumes. Some kind of aux in would be ideal.

[RustyRuss]

That was a brilliant video, enjoyed that!!

[George]

Incidentally, I've also been considering using OE BMW branded kit. Iirc it is made by Blaupunkt?

[RustyRuss]

See id actually prefer a Blaupunkt like that, but as can be seen by my thread in the ICE section think my orig was a philips but hasnt been confirmed yet.

[George]

See id actually prefer a Blaupunkt like that, but as can be seen by my thread in the ICE section think my orig was a philips but hasnt been confirmed yet.

The one I'm looking at is BUSINESS model from the E36 era, it is indeed made by Philips.

The question is, whether one of those 'magic' wires mentioned by bss325i exist to allow the autochanger input into an AUX IN.

[RustyRuss]

See id actually prefer a Blaupunkt like that, but as can be seen by my thread in the ICE section think my orig was a philips but hasnt been confirmed yet.

The one I'm looking at is BUSINESS model from the E36 era, it is indeed made by Philips.

The question is, whether one of those 'magic' wires mentioned by bss325i exist to allow the autochanger input into an AUX IN.

Remember my Dads E36 had a BMW Business unit and it was absolutely fantastic.