Car stereos with front aux inputs?

[LoveTheBomb]

My head unit in my car just died and I'm looking for a new head unit with a front aux in. Any ideas? I'm looking to spend no more than $150 (my car's pretty old, will probably replace in 3-4 years)

-LTB

[iamaustin]

Look at aiwa head units, they are cheap and have front aux-ins. They arent that great compared to kenwood / alpine recievers, but they still work, and will do as good a job as your stock headunit did

[Taskman]

Make sure to go to epinions.com or bizrate.com to find the best price as well. You can save at least 50 dollars off the local price depending on how much the unit is.

Taskman

[sirgolf82]

Aiwa CDC-X437.

I just installed this, got it from crutchfield for $120 shipped. It retails at $169. I like the look of it, not too flashy like some aftermarket HUs that i've seen. Though it's not as powerful as some, it is still way better than a stock headunit. In my opinion also better than Blaupunkt (my previous model).

$20 off crutchfield:
http://www.google.com/search?client=lgtech-kb&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=mastercard+crutchfield

You don't have to use a mastercard to pay :)

http://www.us.aiwa.com/default.asp?page=products&action=viewProduct&prod=406

[dinged]

Forget about front aux inputs...it's a pretty ugly solution even if you move your ipod in and out of your car a lot.

The first problem is that you'll have a 1 inch long object sticking out of your receiver with a mess of wires running in front of your console.

I suggest you go for for a rear RCA aux input solution and simply get a RCA to 1/8 inch plug extension adapter that you can run under your cars trimming whereever you like and out of the way. It'll be a lot cleaner install.

[dinged]

Another thing, why limit yourself to AIWA receivers with front AUX in? There are a lot better sounding receivers with AUX in that will suit you much better in terms of quality, durability, functionality, and sound.

[JediCowgirl]

I have an AIWA head unit, and was planning on using the front AUX input to run my iPod. Has anyone done this?? What will I need?? I am going to buy the Belkin auto charger w/audio, and need to know how exactly that will hook up to my speakers. Decided on using the AUX port when I read about how bad the FM transmitters were.

Help?!?!

[JediCowgirl]

P.S.--plugging it into the cd changer rca in the back of the unit is not an option, I have a changer plugged in. So through the front is the only way I will go! Thanks

[katgirl]

I also have an AIWA head unit and have had no problems using it (as a matter of fact, I think it sounds great!). Anyway, if you already have the Belkin, all you need to get to complete the hookup is a cable w/ stereo mini-plugs on each end. Run one from the audio out on the Belkin, and the other to the aux in on the head unit. Turn the AIWA to aux mode, and you're all set.

I bought my cable w/ 2 mini plugs at Radio Shack for under $10- I don't remember exactly how much it was.

[JediCowgirl]

You rock!! Thanks so much. That's kinda what I figured, just wanted someone to confirm it!
One more thing, do you run the plug from the audio out on the Belkin TO the AUX port? (Sorry, I be dumb)

[katgirl]

link to the cable (http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F007%5F002%5F003%5F007&product%5Fid=42%2D2387)

[katgirl]

yeah, you plug one end of the cable to the Belkin's line out, and the other end into the Aux in on the AIWA. just plug in the Belkin into the cigarette lighter outlet, and you're all set!

[Bob]

Originally posted by JediCowgirl
P.S.--plugging it into the cd changer rca in the back of the unit is not an option, I have a changer plugged in. So through the front is the only way I will go! Thanks

Forgive me if this seems a daft question, but why would you still want to use the CD changer (max no. of discs, what, 20?) when you have a 10gb iPod with the equivalent of 200 CD's on it?

[JediCowgirl]

Basically I am not going through the headache of un-installing the disc-changer. (I'm in AZ, and it's a million degrees out!) Just want to leave it in the car for when I sell it. But I totally see your point. I just don't want to do it! ;) (I'm lazy)

[sirgolf82]

I have a nice setup I did in my car with an Aiwa headunit and the Belkin autokit. When I get a chance i'll take a picture and put the description along with it.

[CyberGreg]

Originally posted by LoveTheBomb
My head unit in my car just died and I'm looking for a new head unit with a front aux in. Any ideas? I'm looking to spend no more than $150 (my car's pretty old, will probably replace in 3-4 years)

-LTB

I'm waiting for this JVC model to arrive and will hook-up my 5G iPod to it's front Aux in port.

http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?stk_code=jvckds890

Without shipping it was $124.99, plus I found another reseller with a $20-$30 mail-in rebate so it's final cost will be $104.99 or $94.99.

Good luck

[iamaustin]

I will tell you one thing though, if you have a spare 2,000 us dollars, you should deff get my headunit, its the greatest thing available. It has a box that has 4-5 inputs, you can still use a cd or dvd changer, it has a dvd / cd player, a 7" touch screem, its insane. Plus it will allow you to really wire everything extremely well and to your standards.

Its called the KVT-911DVD

http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S-u8Ao7eMLwAH/ProdView.asp?s=0&c=3&g=129100&I=113911DVD&o=m&a=0&cc=01&avf=N

There is a link, if you buy it from there you even get a free sirius satelite radio tuner

[jasonmccabe]

spare 2,000?

[tackhouse1]

Originally posted by dinged
Forget about front aux inputs...it's a pretty ugly solution even if you move your ipod in and out of your car a lot.

The first problem is that you'll have a 1 inch long object sticking out of your receiver with a mess of wires running in front of your console.

I suggest you go for for a rear RCA aux input solution and simply get a RCA to 1/8 inch plug extension adapter that you can run under your cars trimming whereever you like and out of the way. It'll be a lot cleaner install.

Just about all Pioneer HU's have a REar RCA input available. IT works over the P-Bus (same one used for the cd-changer), you have to buy a special cord from Pioneer (Crutchfield carries them) it costs $30 but well worth it.

Im also running XM in my car, and both work together Flawlessly.

-Nick

[Macavity]

I just had my Aiwa headset installed last weekend.

My truck has a powered center console, which is where I hook up my Belkin adapter and my iPod. I had the installers run my mini-plug cable from the inside of the console up through a storage pocket right under my headset.

Now all I have to do is plug the iPod in, and plug the hidden cable in, and I'm ready to rock.

It felt really good tossing my FM transmitter out the window. ;)

[skiboy00]

I just spoke with someone in the car stereo department of an electronics store. The guy claimed that a personal stereo device like an iPod does not have the power to provide sufficient audio input thought the aux input.

Based on what I read in this forum, it seems that some have done it using the Belkin adapter? Which adapter?

I would like to hook directly into the aux, and NOT use the FM transmitter option. However, I am getting conflicting information on whether this can be done.

Can anyone shed some light on this?

Thanks, Paul.

[Scotty3072]

I've got the aforemention Aiwa headunit, and my 3G iPod works perfectly with a 1/8" to 1/8" cable from the headphone jack to the aux in on the head unit. No volume trouble, i just crank my iPod up to 100% and its the same volume as the cd's i listen to. You could just turn up the stereo and lower the iPod volume to save battery, but i would rather not be blown away when i play a cd and forget to turn down the volume.

[jhansman]

Instead of Aiwa, you can go with the JVC KD-SX990. JVC is several notches above Aiwa, but not as high quality as, say, Pioneer/Kenwood/Alpine. Check here for this unit at a good price:
http://www.ikesound.com/product-product_id/1360

I've dealt with this vendor both through eBay and directly, and they are straight up.

[skiboy00]

to: Scotty3072

Are you using the Belkin Car Adapter?
Are you having any problems with distortion?

I have been reading other fora, specifically:
Gear > iPod-In-Car Solutions > Looking for line-out solution
and it seems that others complain about the distortions due to the amplifier in the Belkin and having to set the volume "just right".

What's your experience?

[Scotty3072]

No belkin car adapter here, i'm just using the headphone jack > aux in for now. I'm getting the arkon goosenck mount and the SiK cable when it comes out for a better alternative. But for now, the headphone jack doesn't sound bad to me.

[skiboy00]

Scotty3072:
Thanks for thei info. The Arkon mounts look pretty sweet. That's the final piece of hardware that I needed to look for to complete the setup. I especially like the bicycle mount! :D

I'd like to do like you - get by until the better stuff comes out.

By the way, what are you currently using for DC power until the SiK cable comes out?

Thx again....

[Scotty3072]

Nothing for now, never had the battery run out on me actually. I just usually top it off at night if it needs it.