tape adapter IS better (than i-trip)!

[97tbird]

well, we used the I-trip FM transmitter with our "new" ipod mini for a few weeks, and we thought it sounded pretty good in both the Elantra and the Tbird, but then, just for fun, I got a Phillips tape adapter from Walmart ($9.90), and tried it the other day:

what a difference! the sound is a lot louder than with the i-trip, but most importantly, treble and bass are more pronounced and crystal clear (and this is with just the stock speakers/HU)...I've read a lot of reviews where people said that the bass response wasn't good with tape adapters; I don't know why they experienced that. in both our cars, i noticed a huge increase in bass and trebel, and not in a muddy way. and of course no trouble from any radio stations (not that we had any earlier, but it feels good knowing that the sound will remain constant)

...and of course the tape adapter saves the battery life of the ipod, too.(i-trip takes power from the ipod)

I guess we'll be using the tape adapter from now on. I've heard that the Sony tape adapter is the best, but I'm very satisfied with this phillips for now..will see how well it does in the long run.
Thanks to all who suggested the tape adapter in my previous i-pod thread !

 

[JHZR2]

yep, same experience with my sirius radio!!!

Only FM thing I iked was my FM modulated CD changer in my w123 MB.

JMH

 

[Bret Chase]

IIRC FM only modulates from 80Hz-16kHz, so you do lose alot using the FM transmitter.

 

[brianl703]

That, and FM also has limitations regarding signal-to-noise ratio and dynamic range.

 

[JHZR2]

On my sirius radio, I cant reasonably use the fm transmitter built in... there is too much interference as stations come in and out... it distracts me too much to have to change the transmit station all the time...

The FM modulator in my MB was hardwired... it always made a sound when it powered up, like maybe it completely disables any throughput from the antenna... I NEVER had interference with that thing, thats why it was so great.

JMH

 

[brianl703]

Hardwired FM modulators usually have an automatic switch which disconnects the radio from the vehicle antenna and connects it to the FM modulator.

Same idea as the switch built into a VCR or the automatic RF switch that the original Nintendo used.

 

[Bret Chase]

I've found on my sirus radio that while the sound quality is MUCH better using the line in, sometimes the music channels seem a bit overcompressed, like a too low bit rate MP3. the talk channels, esp H100 don't ever seem to have this problem. of course it may just be my $50 xact unit. I'd like to someday actually get the JVC reciever for my head unit, but not any time soon.