MP3 CHANGERS - Yay or Nay

[MAZDA Kitten]

Just curious what your guys take on MP3 changers are...? I dont want to deface the stock radio (yet) but after having an MP3 deck in my VW I cant go back to anything else.

Now Im no audiophile by any means but I want lots of tunes at my fingertips. I hear the sound quality isnt as good b/c its being sent via FM signals.

I like this one (and goes nicely with the interior lights) :)

http://www.futureshop.ca/multimedia/products/large/10025785.jpg

[bubba1983]

jus get the OEM mp3 player for the Head unit....?

[civiclad]

I would suggest you get the OEM MP3 player, however, it is approx $550

[bluntman]

I don\'t know about you but a CD filled with about 130 songs is more than enough for me. An MP3 compatible changer is a bit much, I\'d rather just attach my iPod to the HU. If you need an MP3 compatible changer then you must have a lot of MP3 files, which means you must have a portable MP3 player of some sort, just attach it to your HU using the Alpine > PIE adapter.

[MAZDA Kitten]

Originally posted by bluntman


I don\'t know about you but a CD filled with about 130 songs is more than enough for me. An MP3 compatible changer is a bit much, I\'d rather just attach my iPod to the HU. If you need an MP3 compatible changer then you must have a lot of MP3 files, which means you must have a portable MP3 player of some sort, just attach it to your HU using the Alpine > PIE adapter.

Thats the thing I dont have a portable MP3 player. Usually my CD\'s are filled with DJ sets so that gives me on average 6 sets. And I dont feel like spending 6 bills on a the factory MP3 player. (plus whatever they are going to charge me for an install).

[bluntman]

Hmm, I\'d still go with the MP3 player deck than the changer.

[bubba1983]

woah, thats awhole lodda mp3in\'!

[teambedlam]

Originally posted by MAZDA Kitten And I dont feel like spending 6 bills on a the factory MP3 player. (plus whatever they are going to charge me for an install).

Don\'t pay for them to install it. What you are buying is a complete replacement for the stock Non-mp3 radio/cd. It will take less then 10 minutes to install it. I\'m just one of many on this board that would be happy to do it for you at a greatly reduced cost :)

[Xenon]

I\'ll go for the OEM one when I have money. Say 2 years from now.

Xenon\'s and Audio Upgrade come first.

[MAZDA Kitten]

Originally posted by teambedlam



Originally posted by MAZDA Kitten And I dont feel like spending 6 bills on a the factory MP3 player. (plus whatever they are going to charge me for an install).

Don\'t pay for them to install it. What you are buying is a complete replacement for the stock Non-mp3 radio/cd. It will take less then 10 minutes to install it. I\'m just one of many on this board that would be happy to do it for you at a greatly reduced cost :)

Like this one dealership that quoted me 84$ to install wheel locks..... right. They\'re listed for 30$ on mazda.ca. When I asked the salesman about it he said 84$ installed. http://www.dogsonacid.com/images/smilies/eek1.gif pssht keeep it.

I really need my MP3\'s. Maybe an IPOD

[teambedlam]

Originally posted by MAZDA Kitten Maybe an IPOD

Thats the way i went. Looks real cool on the dash (http://photos.teambedlam.tv/thumbnails.php?album=10&page=2).

It\'s a pretty clean install. One white wire into dash provides power and audio line out. The cable from my cig lighter goes to a 3 way splitter in the dash. Soon i will hid that inside as well.

[MazdaTree]

how much would it cost to hook up an mp3 player or ipod to the Hu?
wat things do u gotta buy to hook it up?

[MAZDA Kitten]

Originally posted by teambedlam



Originally posted by MAZDA Kitten Maybe an IPOD

Thats the way i went. Looks real cool on the dash (http://photos.teambedlam.tv/thumbnails.php?album=10&page=2).

It\'s a pretty clean install. One white wire into dash provides power and audio line out. The cable from my cig lighter goes to a 3 way splitter in the dash. Soon i will hid that inside as well.



Do you have any pics of the set up please and thank you

edit: NEVERMIND... im partially blond *blush*

[bubba1983]

mmmm, xenon\'s will be mine too....mmmmm

[teambedlam]

Originally posted by MazdaTree how much would it cost to hook up an mp3 player or ipod to the Hu? wat things do u gotta buy to hook it up?

i know there is a thread out there for this but i will summarize. You need three things. 5 if you want to mount it to the dash like i did.

1-MAZ/PC-ALP (http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=445) $ 77 US

2-ALP/M-RCA (http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=124) $ 20 US

3 - RCA-Stereomini (headphone) adapter cable. Available at Radio Shack. $10 CAN

4-Proclip Mazda 3 Dash Mount (http://www.proclipusa.com/dashboardmounts/853371.aspx) $40 US

5-Belkin Auto Adapter (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/canadastore?productLearnMore=T6715LL/A) $ 60 CAN

The Proclip cost an additional $10 CAN in duty. I\'ll see what the PIE stuff costs when it arrives on Tuesday

[MazdaTree]

can you still use the steering wheel controlls on the ipod and/or mp3 player?
does it have to be an ipod?

[bluntman]

The steering wheel controls cannot be used when using the PIE adapter, it only allows for an AUX in. Hopefully, the Dension ICELink (when it is eventually released) will let you use those controls to control an iPod.

[teambedlam]

well you can actually use the volume controles on your wheel. Track selection has to be done via the iPod. You can use any device that has a mini jack or RCA output. In order to use track selection via the steering wheel you need the icelink. problem is you don\'t see any text info on the radio display. you still have to look at the ipod to do that