Ask the Experts: Entertainment Electronics

I have a 30 year old Alpine cassette deck system with multiple amps from the DIN type plug era (80) in my historic vehicle, the system was about $3000 - $4000 in it’s day.

I also have a 6 year old Sony with the cassette behind the face plate / head unit and 10 pack CD/MP3. It’s still new in the box, I never bothered installing it in my wife’s car before she split on me.

My question is the same for both, I would like to add an i-pod input, an i-pod dock would be better, any comments?

I am an electonic guy, I was just wondering if people were doing it, maybe your service dept or a web link?

Kevin

Hi Kevin

if all your old Alpine gear is still working well, I would leave it alone. It sounds as though it is a more significant system than the Sony and I don’t see any advantage in making the change. In your case I would look at a direct FM interface for your iPod. It will allow you to play your favourite tunes through the system with little modification to the system and no alteration to the car. This would be in-expensive to do. There are lots of other devices as well. Check out the Harman/Kardon drive and play. This has a neet little pod that controls the iPod, an LCD display that can mount on the dash or consol and you can put the iPod in your glove box!.

Hope this helps

Mark