DB9 iPod connection?

DB9 iPod connection?

Author
Discussion

speedstar

Original Poster:

4 posts

213 months

Tuesday 12th December 2006
quotequote all
Has anyone done this? Hell is it even possible? If it can be done is it just a case of connecting the iPod to the auxilary connection or do you have to buy an adapter like the NEO?

If it makes any difference I have a 2005 DB9 with the Linn 270

Thanks in advance.

sxo

48 posts

275 months

Tuesday 12th December 2006
quotequote all
Just put my AMV8 into my dealer where they have a relationship with a local ICE who will install a permanent connection through a "line in" through the head unit - think the Vantage uses a Kenwood system after indifferent reports over the Linn kit. ICE based in Thames Ditton I believe but wouldn't have thought it a difficult job for a decent ICE specialist wherever you live

I tried those Belkin things which broadcast the iPOD signal to the stereo but with a daily commute involving London a myriad of pirate stations / busy bandwidth, the sound quality was woeful and didn't do justice to the decent stereo in the Vantage (kept getting opera snippets ruining my dodgy 80's smash hits!)

bimmmmer

119 posts

215 months

Tuesday 12th December 2006
quotequote all
My local stereo shop is still searching for the best & cleanest method to connect my ipod to the Vantage. So far this is what there are suggesting:

Kenwood K0S-A20
Main Unit required:
www.kenwoodusa.com/products/ListProduct.aspx?k1=2&k2=19&k3=58&pr=2568

PXP01 Universal Audio/Video Input + Charging Cable for iPod
www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=896


There is also a radio satellite option, which I was not interested in.
I expect my car in Feb and hope to have this installed at such time.

razbox

907 posts

224 months

Wednesday 20th December 2006
quotequote all
bimmmmer said:
My local stereo shop is still searching for the best & cleanest method to connect my ipod to the Vantage.


It's crazy that they didn't think of this, or haven't added this for 2007.
Same for switching on TMC
Same for key fob... jester

Edited by razbox on Wednesday 20th December 23:57

jezzwelda

79 posts

259 months

Friday 22nd December 2006
quotequote all
Had a chat with my local boys and decided that putting the Harman Kardon ICE system in would be like tatooing Keira Khightleys face ! So we decided on the following:

I-Connect FM RDS unit
Fakra aerial adaptors to fit FM modulator to existing aerial lead in DB9

They tell me that using this system the Ipod will be hard wired into the aerial and that the result will be like listening to a strong FM station. This way I can tuck the connecting lead away in the "ashtray" in the centre console until needed and simply plug the pod in when I want.

I'll report back when I've had the work done.

All the best and have a great Christmas.

razbox

907 posts

224 months

Friday 22nd December 2006
quotequote all
jezzwelda said:
I'll report back when I've had the work done.



Good luck - I'd be very interested in how well it works. Merry Christmas!

jezzwelda

79 posts

259 months

Saturday 6th January 2007
quotequote all
Gents - fitted the I-Connect unit and..............it's crap. Back to the drawing board!

razbox

907 posts

224 months

Sunday 7th January 2007
quotequote all
jezzwelda said:
Gents - fitted the I-Connect unit and..............it's crap. Back to the drawing board!


Not good news...I was hoping to follow your lead.

sxo

48 posts

275 months

Sunday 7th January 2007
quotequote all
Now had my AMV8 back a week or so after the iPOD connection was installed. Transpired not a direct connection into head unit (not possible with factory spec ICE kit I assume) but they installed a Dension ICE Link FM (www.denison.com) into the boot with the iPOD connection fed through the car into the cup holders. Apparently the ICE Link device breaks into the antenna cabling.

I am generally happy with it having tried numerous other iPOD broadcast systems all of which have failed due to weak signal / interference from other stations. Yes, sound isn't quite up to CD source (a little bassy) but I'm no audiophile and I'm sure if I spent a little time tinkering with the EQ it could sound better. For me the sub-premium sound is somewhat offset with a new ability to have x thousand songs on tap without the need to burn numerous CDs.

anonymous-user

59 months

Sunday 7th January 2007
quotequote all
Surely AM have to be aware it's something many of their customers require! Will they provide a simple interface at some stage?

jezzwelda

79 posts

259 months

Sunday 7th January 2007
quotequote all
I'm so dissapointed by the I Connect I'm going back to the fitter to complain - loads of his all the time. The only way to stop is to honk along at excessive speed !

razbox

907 posts

224 months

Monday 8th January 2007
quotequote all
garyhun said:
Surely AM have to be aware it's something many of their customers require! Will they provide a simple interface at some stage?


I emailed them to ask them whether they were working on
(1) an iPod connection for the standard stereo
(2) TMC being switched on for the SatNav

They said:

Dear Razbox

Many thanks for your email. We are currently working on introducing an ipod connection in the future on the standard stereo model.

We currently have no plans to introduce TMC into the Sat Nav system. It is not a priority for us as we believe that the service offered in the UK is not of a suitable standard for Aston Martin owners.

Kind regards,

Helen Pollock
Customer Service Executive
Tel: 44-1926-644748
Email: hpolloc1@astonmartin.com


So the TMC is fine for Volvo drivers, but not us AM people!!

hughjayteens

2,029 posts

273 months

Tuesday 9th January 2007
quotequote all
We have fitted a couple of Dension ICE>Link FM systems to the DB9 and whilst it certainly isn't perfect, it is passable.

The best solution (and as is always the case, the most expensive!) is to fit an aftermarket amplifier and processor, which has a dedicated aux input capability (something like the Rockford 3Sixty.2) which does also mean new speakers (you can see where this is heading!) but will not only give you crystal clear iPod sound, but a much better sound from CD and Radio at the same time.

Probably not overly appealing to someone who has paid extra for the Linn system but if it is a used car with the standard system then it might be worth considering.

HTH

Cheers

Chris

www.prestigeaudio.co.uk

wokkadriver

695 posts

247 months

Tuesday 9th January 2007
quotequote all
At the risk of sounding crass, what about a tape adaptor?

anonymous-user

59 months

Tuesday 9th January 2007
quotequote all
wokkadriver said:
At the risk of sounding crass, what about a tape adaptor?


Lack of tape player makes this a no no

k321

4,112 posts

223 months

Wednesday 10th January 2007
quotequote all
why dont you buy a fm transmitter that you buy on the net..belbin i think make it, then connect the fm transmitter to your ipod, then tune it to a radio frequency like 82.5 then tune your radio in the car to 82.5m then hey presto you can hear crystal clear music from your ipod through your radio!

wparslow

1,120 posts

214 months

Thursday 11th January 2007
quotequote all
www.iplug-rds.com just bought one from these guys www.incarexpress.co.uk/view_product.php?partno=IPLUGRDS for 69.99 - haven't fitted it yet though.

hughjayteens

2,029 posts

273 months

Saturday 20th January 2007
quotequote all
Would be interested to hear your thoughts.

We have a DB9 in at present for a small audio upgrade and ipod connection so I'll post some pics when it is done.

Cheers

Chris

hughjayteens

2,029 posts

273 months

Thursday 25th January 2007
quotequote all
Just delivered the car back to the customer (first time I have driven one - it is lovely!).
We did a sound system based around upgraded speakers in the front door, a new sub between the rear seats, and a rather sexy Genesis/Prestige bespoke amplifier we had made for Aston years ago. The factory sat nav system interfaces with a new digital sound processor from Rockford Fosgate so cosmetically nothing is changed.

The sound was fapping awesome - everyone here was blown away by just how good it sounded. I haven't heard a Linn equipped car but I would be amazed if it sounded like this!

I'll post some piccies next week!

hughjayteens

2,029 posts

273 months

Wednesday 31st January 2007
quotequote all
Just uploaded a couple of piccies to our site:

www.prestigeaudio.co.uk/auto/aston-martin-db9-auto-1-23-142.html

I have had a lot of emails asking if there is a non FM based iPod solution which can integrate with the factory Linn amp/speakers but sadly this is not possible. The above install cost less than the factory Linn option and according to the customer, far outperforms it, so if you haven't paid extra for the Linn upgraded system then this could be an alternative.

Cheers

Chris