Getting MP3 music into the Spyder. w/o FM transmitter $32

[marco_1978_spyder]

As the title, says I've been searching for ways to get an aux input into the audo system in my Red Spyder (stock 2 post stereo). SO I can listen to music on my an mp3 player or my phone.

I could buy a vintage sound stereo with with a built in Aux input, for probably around $150. A steep price tag just to get MP3 capability...

I could take apart one of my stock stereo's and add an auxiliary input. But that requires potentially ruining a good radio. Drilling, and time for trial and error. Which I dont have. Plus the sound would be going through the old amplifier into my speakers which is totally full of distortion when cranked. No good.

There's a solution that plugs into the antenna slot to get the sound into the radio that way. Once again putting the sound through an old amp system... All for $99 too.. not the best solution for me.

I have a cassette tape adapter now that doesn't work well. Plus that runs the cassette tape mechanism non stop. No good.
FM transmitter's are about 5 bucks, but they have interference and sound quality issues. I had a few, they lasted a little while and now they're...No good.

I found a solution here: https://www.amazon.com/BOSS-CE102-100-W ... av_signin&
the Boss CE102. Good.


Its a small "100 watts" (or so) car amp. I like it's size, It's small, just larger than a smartphone in footptint, and some inches taller..
So it's small enough to mount under the seat. So that the MP3 cable can run up and over the center console. Or I could hide it in the dash somewhere, So the cable can hang out to be connected with my phone I found sits nicely over the open ash tray. All I'll need is a cable I already have... Headphone jack to connect to phone and Stereo RCA outs to connect to the amp at the low level input.

The stock stereo radio will also get a boost connecting through the amps High level input. Hopefully I can find My old 8 track to convert back to. Or might just go with the original dealer ordered basic am /fm 'Craig' stereo the car came with. An extra bonus being keeping the car looking original and no valuable stereo to tempt any would be theifs.

I ordered it today. Should be here before Friday. Got it...

[spencerforhire]

This will work, but the only flaw in your plan is that the low and high level inputs are not designed to be both used at the same time. You could add a high to low level converter to your OEM radio and then to some type of A/B switch before the amp.

[zeke]

I'm looking for a bluetooth receiver module with rca and amp trigger outputs that I can pair to my phone. No luck so far, I may have to build that too.

[EVL VEGA]

I installed one of those ebay/amazon $40 AUX inputs on my wife's 2000's Dodge Stratus. It plugged into the cd changer port for her stereo and had an MP3 input i mounted into her dash. I think they have adapters but probably wouldn't work too well on a vintage stereo.

These are my 3 sound options in the Vega:

[Monza Harry]

Rhett the last choice needs a bigger carb, headers and Megaphones! Harry P.S. Maybe some colour too.

[marco_1978_spyder]

This will work, but the only flaw in your plan is that the low and high level inputs are not designed to be both used at the same time. You could add a high to low level converter to your OEM radio and then to some type of A/B switch before the amp.

Is what your saying that one wont work as long as both are wired up, the amp will only run sound from one? That would be a little less cool than my original plan, but not all that bad though since I'd be fine keeping the radio non amplified, and running it direct. Just using the amp for the MP3 player. Thanks for the heads up.

[spencerforhire]

Basically, you can't run two different sources into the same amp without some kind of switching; same as you can't run two sources into the speakers.
Waaaaaay back in the early days of car audio, we used to install "Radio/Tape" switches so an under dash 8-track or later cassette player could share the speakers in a vehicle. The switch was a 4,6 or even 8-pole double throw unit that was wired to let only one device play at a time.
I have built more modern RCA-level switches to use two different sources like an XM satellite radio and an I-pod player play through the "Auxiliary input" that's present in newer vehicles. This is done so the vehicle owner doesn't have to keep swapping cords.

[marco_1978_spyder]

I plan on keeping the radio off, while I have my phone connected... I'll post more on Friday when I hook it all up

[marco_1978_spyder]

It showed up today.. and the instructions clearly state, to not have both hooked up at the same time, however there referreing to the same head unit... I wont be using both at the same time, so I should be ok.

a problem I could see is a ground loop created by also having the phone charging while playing, that could be an issue, we'll have to see.

[spencerforhire]

No, you won't be ok; that's what I've been trying to tell you. It won't really hurt the OEM radio, because the speaker level inputs of the amp reduce what's coming out of the radio down to the proper line level(RCA connectors)to match the input sensitivity of the amp. By hooking both up, you're essentially feeding backwards into the phone through the headphone plug. Even with the radio turned off, it presents a short to the headphone output of the phone.

[marco_1978_spyder]

Thanks man.. Here's some missing info... the head unit is a 1979 vintage delco cassette player.. no RCA, I will be connecting it's rear speaker output's L +/- & R +/- to the same inputs on the amp ( High input connector) the MP3 player will be utilizing an RCA adapter cable and connecting to the L and R RCA input's on the AMP.

From what your saying I should be concerned about a voltage being supplied to the RCA connectors, (from the high level inputs) and damaging the phone. I'll heed your warning and check for voltage at the RCA's while the radio is cranked, and if nothing then start out with an old MP3 player. And if that works I'm in. If I fry the MP3 player I don't mind having the radio just connect to the tailgate speakers and maybe a dual voice coil dash unit if the future, and have the 2 modular speakers I have running off of the mp3 player and amp.

[spencerforhire]

I give up; I tried to explain(3 different times) that you should NOT do this.

[marco_1978_spyder]

Sorry to seem frustrating man. Thanks for the advice. I'm not one to play it too safe, so I'm gonna see how it plays out.. I would have known the results now, if work didn't schedule all my prime hours away.

[zeke]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-in-x-1-out-St ... 1916101683

[marco_1978_spyder]

Success!! I only hooked up the MP3 player to the RCA inputs, and didn't connect the stereo after all. '
The amplified MP3 music was such an instant improvement, and exactly what I wanted, no radio needed.

In the next few weeks I'm going to remove the heavy old thing and replace it with either an older 8 track or the Craig stereo it used to have (also not so great sounding). Might eventually end up with a vintage autosound unit, but thats a ways up the road.

I think my Jensen speakers were finally being used to their potential, and they sounded great. The cars plays music loud and clear.
Especially compared to the way that ancient '80 AC delco unit sounded.. Too much midrange and lots of distortion at higher volume. Which wasn't all that loud.

I Took it for a ride, and the music just covered all the motor and wind roar, nice and clear at full phone volume.
Some extra benefit's are that voice navigation app directions stop the music and play through the speakers.

Con's... got to get a push button on / off switch on the remote line to act as a quick mute button, since finding and pushing the button on the back of the phone isn't the best idea while driving.
The CB radio walks over the amp signal sometimes.
Also, I got a little bit of ignition whistle when the phone was also plugged in and charging.

I'll have to get my gopro out to get it live in action. The great news is, I also upgraded my pc, so I should be able to edit the video's now...and they'll now have some better sound.
I'll have to take some longer drives and monitor the temperature of the thing before I feel confident hiding it under the seat or dash. Does run pretty warm to the touch, as do most amps.