Belkin Auto Kit amp bypass

[scoob23]

Can anyone think of a reason not to bypass the built-in amp in this thing. I have an AUX input on the back of my receiver connected to the Belkin. The other day I disassembled the Belkin to check out the connections inside. It would be easy to connect the line out wires directly to the 1/8" jack. Has anyone tried this? If so, was there any improvement to the sound?
- Dave.

[Delroy666]

I was wondering the same thing, as posted in another thread with no replies yet:

http://www.ipodlounge.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9887

How did you get the Belkin apart? Just pry it with a screwdriver? I might try bypassing the amp this weekend if I have time.

Delroy

[davecuse]

I don't think that the Belkin charger actually has an amp built in. My guess is that it acts more like a pre-amp. So it shouldn't really deteriorate the sound quality, plus if you disable it you won't be able to modify the level coming out of the iPod. i.e. your FM could be a whole lot softer than the iPod so you'd end up forgetting to turn the volume to the right level, and boom your speakers are blown out. It probably wouldn't be that drastic, but you never know.
It just sounds like a whole lot more hassle than it's worth, keep in mind, it's a mini-headphone jack you're dealing with, it is not going to be THX certified sound! My recommendation, watch some sports this weekend and have a beer, forget about the belkin, just let it go man.

-Dave

[chinhster]

I hooked mine up and had the volume on both the adapter and the iPod up all the way and it still plays softer than a regular CD. I could only imagine what it would be like if you bypassed the amp.

[davecuse]

Chin,
Do you have a 3g iPod? If so turning up your iPod volume won't do anything, just waste battery life.

Dave