Adding inputs to stereo

[EditEd4TV]

Is there a way to tap into my stereo, to add, say, an input jack for an mp3 player or my MacBook Pro? I currently use this radio transmitter thing, but I've used 3 or 4 of these and they all transmit in mono, not stereo, and they're intermittent as the batteries begin to weaken, etc. I'd prefer a hardwired input. Can I tap into an amp/preamp somewhere? I have the custom deluxe uber XM wham bam stereo, don't know what the "model" is, but it's the XM stereo, 6 disc system, multiple speakers and a subwoofer and all that. 2004 Saturn Vue AWD V6.

[FGCA_XRL]

Sometimes you can use kits to make your XM source work as an external source. Peripheral makes a lot of these. They work about 50% of the time I've found, and about 5% of the time if you have a 6CD in dash.

Outside of that Alpine, Kenwood, Rockford Fosgate, all have products to integrate external sources to factory systems, and also give you better EQ settings, full pre-outs, etc.

[erunic]

Rather than modify the radio itself, install a hardwired FM modulator. There are numerous ones available. The kit installs between your FM antenna and radio, thereby eliminating the drifting that occurs from the under powered battery or lighter FM modulators.

[EditEd4TV]

Any specific manufacturer you can recommend? Do you know if these units deliver a clean audio signal, and primarily I'm looking for *STEREO* audio, as every FM transmitter I've tried is either mono, or terrible stereo separation.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions you can supply, I really want to get this installed so that I can listen to my MacBook Pro in my car... I use a software synth application called "Reason", and on long trips or long waits, I like to either work on music or listen to current projects... MP3 player isn't an option, has to be the computer, as they're works in progress and sometimes inspiration hits and I need to make changes to songs asap! Thanks!

[David 93 SL2m]

This place probably has what you need!

http://www.pie.net/

[FGCA_XRL]

I'm partial to Kenwood products, but JL and Alpine always have solid products. The Rockford Fosgate and JL take it to the next level adding incredibly detailed EQs.

The Kenwood (http://kenwoodusa.com/products/ListProduct.aspx?k1=2&k2=61&k3=220&pr=2684)has RDS output, so if you have the RDS radio it will display info on the screen. I'd probably go for the Kenwood unless you want all the extra EQ customizing of the Rockford and JL.

[EditEd4TV]

I did some research and it looks like the Kenwood KOS-A200 is a very nice unit but unfortunately won't work in my 2004 Vue with the factory radio (6 disc, XM ready, factory subwoofer). Crutchfield has extensive installation instructions and compatibility info, and according to them this unit won't work. They recommended the Scosche unit, which is the lowest price and probably all I need. It's under $20 at Shop4Tech, where I already have an account and purchase stuff from them all the time... I have a 10% off coupon too, and there's not tax and no shipping.

[FGCA_XRL]

All it does is wire it into the FM... You have a frequency that becomes your Kenwood's, so when you want to use it you tune the frequency to that.

Honestly if you're not gonna keep the XM I'd just go thru that input anyways. be cheaper too, but I havent seen any USB capable devices. I'm looking for them, I want to put a USB port on our '05 PT Cruiser with sat and nav and blah blah blah. Ipod seems much easier than USB.

[EditEd4TV]

Just an update for those that may be interested...

I purchased a FM Modulator from Shop4Tech:

http://www.shop4tech.com/item3992.html

It's a Scosche modulator. I popped out the window control panel around the stick shift, removed the console assembly area (that was a bit of a pain to disconnect all the various dash item modular plugs, since each one is different), removed the head unit, disconnected the antenna input, put the Scosche inline, and that was it. Put it all back together and routed all the connections to pop out to the left of the passenger left leg fuse panel area. Stations still come in just fine with the unit on. I tapped 12v off the "Radio(IGNI)" fuse, which I assume is on/off via the ignition. Ground right there in the fuse area. For the time being I have a 3.5mm stereo plug coming out behind the plastic housing above the fuse panel, but eventually I'll be mounting a 3.5mm stereo jack somewhere on the right side of the center console, since it's inevitable that one of my kids will jump in the Vue eventually and shove their left foot onto that dangling cable and rip the wires to shreds. Anyway, yeah, gonna put a 3.5mm stereo jack somewhere in there, as well as mount the on/off switch properly.

The sound is nice and clean, *much* better than I expected! $20 and about an hour of install time. Not bad. I highly recommend this unit for anyone that wants a simple solution.

BTW: also took apart my garage door remote and routed a secondary button to the upper inside area behind the driver heated seat rocker switch - you can't see it, would never know it's there, but it opens the garage door just fine. The garage door electronics are safely velcro'd inside the center console.

[guitarzan]

Exactly what I'd like to do! Id like to have a 3.5mm plug for ipod to listen to on my way to a gig. Can you post pics of your intall? step by step or as detail as possible would be MUCH appreciated.