Can I get Sirius Sat. and iPod on the Alpine CDA-9847?

[PrimeRib]

Please choose the appropriate forum for this topic. Thank you. Help!!

After browsing and reading a lot in these wonderful forums, I decided I didn't want the KCA-420i to connect my iPod to the Alpine unit (due to playlist limitation,scrolling, etc.)
I had long settled on an Alpine deck as opposed to the factory unit in my Hyundait '03 Elantra.
So, per the stickied post on best wired solution, I picked up the SLK IMP cable, thinking I could plug this into the Alpine deck. Armed with the Alpine CDA-9847 deck, the Sirius Satellite Tuner (Model: SIRALP1) - I setup an appt with Best Buy for installation. (Maybe this was my mistake??) ;)

Yesterday when I arrived, I explained I wanted the Sirius unit installed, and explained how I wanted the SLK IMP cable installed as well (being that it has to run into a Radio Shack Y cable, to the back of the unit). Well, then I was told I would need an additional component, which thankfully, they also sold. So per their recommendation, I picked up this:
Terk XMDirect Smart Digital Adapter for Alpine In-Dash XM-Ready Receivers (Model: XMDALP100). I questioned the XM status of the piece, but was told it was necessary for the Sirius connection and how I wanted things to be setup. No bother, I used $50 gift card and within 14 minutes, had the unit in hand.
Turned this in and was told the full installation would be 2 hours or so. Headed back to Best Buy and goofed around. Went back and was told it "was not possible" to connect both the Sirius Satellite and the iPod on the deck - it was one or the other. So I had the iPod installed, thinking there must be a solution. The fella who did the install was very nice, but likely inexperienced. So I ask you all. Is this possible? Do I need another cable or something else to make both connections simultaneous and complete?

HELP!

PS I love the sound of the iPod. The install could be a little cleaner, but overall, at least I got the dang iPod in there and it sounds GREAT!!! Now, I just want my Sirius satellite for those times when I want to listen to NPR and (come January) Stern.

Thanks!

[TheBum]

You should be able to use an Alpine KCA-410C Versatile Link Terminal to connect two devices to the 9847's AiNet port. The satellite receiver would connect to one input on the 410C. To use the SiK Imp, you'd also need an auxiliary input adapter that converts analog audio to AiNet. Verify this first before proceeding because I don't have any evidence that it will work (nor do I have any evidence that it won't work).

[PrimeRib]

$147 for that KCA-410C unit???
You've got to be kidding. There has to be another solution that will work.

I've already spent upwards of $380 getting the Alpine head unit, the Sirius unit, Antannae, Trek XM adaptor, SIK adaptor and Y cable.
Rediculous. The last thing I want to do is drop another $150 on ANOTHER unit that will allow me to connect both.

1) I think the Best Buy guy was caught up on the Ai-net connection. The Sirius uses it, as does the adaptor for the iPod. What about Auxillary? Is there a way to connect one of these via auxillary? Will there be a difference in audio quality?

There has to be another way...

EDIT:
Didn't mean to come down on ya in the post. I'm just really frustrated at this point, seeing as how much I've invested already. I do appreciate your help!!!

[PrimeRib]

Is this all I need?
It looks like this may work....
PIE ALP/AI-AUX AUXILLARY AUDIO SWITCHER

I see it retail for $50 or so.

Maybe then I can have both?

[absentiabanish]

Why did they tell you that the XM thing was needed. The Sirius box plugs directly into YOUR head unit. Plug the AI Net to auxilary into the pass through part of the Sirius box. Hook up the Sirius box to your battery and you are ready to go. The auxilary input has two female ends, plug your Y adapter into it. And you can use both your iPod and Sirius. You could also just buy the $99 Alpine iPod box and daisy chain them and be done with it.
The auxiilary input is the Alpine KCA 121B which I use for Ipod and Satellite radio. Best Buy did not sale it when I bought it so they are probally just giving you the go around.

[GavinD]

Best Buy is the worst place when it comes to car audio. If you can find an older / good installer with some experience they might have some ideas. Go to a shop that is an authorized Alpine, Eclipse, or PPI / DEI dealer. I know installers and ones who have worked at Best Buy and you will have better luck dealing with a real car audio store that can hopefully rig something together for you. If they cant install an alarm on your car from start to finish then they shouldn’t be working on it in the first place.

Basically in theory I don’t see what the problem is because the deck you have has all sorts of inputs. The only thing I can think of is that both need to use the Ai-NET input or maybe the radio just cant support both devices. I do not know of a way to split the Ai-NET signal if that is the issue.

With enough time / patience / research I am pretty sure you could figure something out but you might not.

Not sure how much that helps but good luck and let us know how it goes...

[TheBum]

My original reponse assumed that the satellite receiver was AiNet-compatible, i.e. that it would be controllable from the HU. If that's the case and the satellite receiver doesn't have an analog input, I think you're stuck with needing the 410C.

However, if your setup is just two regular analog audio sources, the options are much less expensive. If the satellite receiver does indeed have a pass-through, that would definitely be the way to go. If not, some sort of 2-to-1 stereo audio switch would be needed, with one input on the switch connected to the output from the satellite receiver and the other connected to the SiK Imp's line-out jack. The switch output would go to an auxiliary input adapter connected to the HU's AiNet port.

[PrimeRib]

Rats...
I can definitely ascertain the Sirius is to be controlled via the head unit, as I never purchased any Road Buddy or anything else to control the Satellite service with... so if thats the case, then the Ai-net connection will have to be used for Sirius.

That leaves 3 red/white connections on the back. From what I can tell, these are outputs? I wouldve assumed at least one of them is an input, but I guess if that were the case, the Best Buy dude wouldve known that and I wouldnt be here writing this post..

Since I am not using the deck for my iPod, all I need is an auxiallary connection of some sort. This deck doesn't have one? Reading the manual now...says "CD CHANGER CONTROL" and lists 1 input here. Is this the Ai-net?

I'm also still wondering what the Best Buy guys were thinking when they told me I'd need that XM part (which cost $50). I woudnt be surprised if I took the front panel apart and saw it just sitting there, unplugged...
I feel so used...

Man, I really don't want to pop another $199 on this Alpine part to give me another Ai-net port. There has to be a way to add an auxillary input, which I can add the iPod connection into. Right?

[absentiabanish]

The auxiilary input is the Alpine KCA 121B which I use for iPod and Satellite radio. Best Buy did not sale it when I bought it so they are probally just giving you the go around. Buy this part plug it in to the pass through. Its 19.99.

[PrimeRib]

Hmm, would that work?

If I have the Sirius satellite running thru the Ai-Net connection to the back of the HU, then the question becomes, how to get the Ipod into the HU. That cable looks like a male Ai-Net to Female RCA. I'm not sure how the connection would work. Maybe it does, I'm just not seeing it?

I really hope so. $20 is hella better than $199

[GavinD]

Have you thought about and I wonder if its possible to use an FM transmitter for the satellite radio? Then your Ai-net would be free for the iPod...

You also might want to ask on www.the12volt.com forum - there are a lot of installers on there so hopefully they might have some ideas and are most likely familiar with your exact radio.

[absentiabanish]

There is a pass through on the Sirius Box for adding the Ipod "Box" but the cables are basically the same. Only the one you shoulc buy has auxilary cables on the other side. You would choose sources by your source button. CD, fm, satellite radio, aux.

[PrimeRib]

I checked - when I press "source" I get CD, FM, XM but thats it. No auxillary. *sigh* I guess this confirms I have no auxillary?
This weekend, I'm going to head to a professional audio installer and hopefully, get this thing banged out.

[Felbie]

this may not be of any help considering I have a kenwood unit, but they might make something similar, what I have is sirius hooked up to my CD changer port, and on the tuner box there was an accessory jack and i just plugged the ipod interface into that, and it worked fine, I have Sirius and Ipod through that port and I have XM run through Auxiliary, this seems like more of a hassle then it should be for you, dont let stores like best buy take advantage of you

[PrimeRib]

I appreciate all your help. At this point, I would rather just pay someone to take all this equipment and hook it all up for me so I can get on with my life. LOL I had no idea it would be this complicated. I feel so helpless because I don't know much about car audio...

[absentiabanish]

The auxilary does not show up until the auxilary plug is plugged into your Sirius box. Plug it in and you should be fine.

[PrimeRib]

Sebastian,

Would you mind taking me through each step, 1 by 1? I would really appreciate it. Basically, I'd like to run through it to make sure I can grasp the exact connections you're referring to.
Thanks again for your incredible help!!!

[absentiabanish]

First you have your Alpine head unit, your Sirius box, and the Alpine AI Net auxilary chord. These are the three things you will need other than the Sirius antenna and the Y chord adapter from your Ipod that has two male ends. First hook up the Alpine tuner to your radio and car making sure all grounds are secure. Plug the AI Net chord into your Alpine head unit. Next plug the auxilary AI Net (the KC....that I told you about) into the PASSTHROUGH AI Net hook up on the Sirius Tuner. Next plug the Y chord into the female ends of the auxilary and plug the small end into either your Ipod or other portable. You are ready to go. Basically you choose your source from the source button on your head unit. The passthrough allows the signal to go through the box as if the box where not there when it is not in use. Without the passthrough feature you would need the expensive box that allows for all the switchting. But this was you dont need it.

[Uncle Rico]

One more thing: When using the Ai-Net to AUX adapter, you have to tell the head unit that there is an AUX input. It may be a physcal switch on the bottom of the HU (which I believe was the case on my 2004 CDA-9831) or it may be in the setup menu (like my new 2005 CDA-9855). I'm not sure if this option prevents you from using other Ai-Net devices (i.e. Sirius).

My setup: CDA-9855 head unit, Ai-Net to Sirius SIR-ALP1, Ai-Net passthrough to KCA-420i iPod interface. Works beautifully.