Playing Creative Zen MP3 thruogh 2005 Ram Stereo- the FM setup stinks-- Can I wire it directly using headphone-out??

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Loch - 28 Feb 2006 19:14 GMT

I have the standard 05 CD/Stereo played in my Hemi Ram mega cab, and
just got a Creative Zen Sleek 20 gig MP3 player. The hookup with a FM
transmitter is crappy at best (it went to 107.9 mHz) during the seek
to find a clear channel during setup). I want to wire the player
directly to to stereo using the headphone jack as output. I assume
this can be done, but need to know the pin configuration for the
connector. There is an unused smaller connection port next to the
one in service. Is this for the optional CD Changer, and can it be
used?

TIA

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BDK - 01 Mar 2006 07:16 GMT

> I have the standard 05 CD/Stereo played in my Hemi Ram mega cab, and
> just got a Creative Zen Sleek 20 gig MP3 player. The hookup with a FM
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> TIA

Well, I would recommend that you just go and buy any decent aftermarket
head unit, and keep the original to put back in the truck when you sell
it. They really aren't very good.

BDK

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Tom Lawrence - 01 Mar 2006 08:07 GMT

> connector. There is an unused smaller connection port next to the
> one in service. Is this for the optional CD Changer, and can it be
> used?

It can, with the right piece of hardware:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-rJYfAxvqywC/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=227450&I=581DFCHR

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Loch - 01 Mar 2006 15:52 GMT

Interesting dilema. Spend $80 (tax&ship) for add-on that will most
likely do the job just fine - (MP3's are a tradeoff on quality anyway)
or $150 up for an aftermarket . Does anyone know the output specs of
the stock player compared to, say a Sony? I mean frequency response
and range, not power. To get really good sound I am inclined to
replace the speakers before investing in a new head unit.
Right now I am trying to get by as cheap as possible. IMHO Road noise
kills any exceptional qualities of a high-end unit (except for bass)
anyway.

Thanks for your responses.

>> connector. There is an unused smaller connection port next to the
>> one in service. Is this for the optional CD Changer, and can it be
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
>http://www.crutchfield.com/S-rJYfAxvqywC/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=227450&I=581DFCHR

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Tom Lawrence - 01 Mar 2006 16:28 GMT

> Right now I am trying to get by as cheap as possible.

Oh, ok... then in that case, you can do something like this:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-gk80g3fWlLX/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?search=FM+modulato
r&i=142FMMOD01

This will still modulate your iPod audio over an FM frequency, but because
it's inline with your FM antenna, you're not competing with stray FM signals
outside of your vehicle.

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Loch - 01 Mar 2006 17:09 GMT

Thanks for the info. Looks like what I am after. Do you work for
Crutchfield?? LOL!!

>> Right now I am trying to get by as cheap as possible.
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>it's inline with your FM antenna, you're not competing with stray FM signals
>outside of your vehicle.

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Tom Lawrence - 01 Mar 2006 19:07 GMT

> Thanks for the info. Looks like what I am after. Do you work for
> Crutchfield?? LOL!!

Dammit... I've been found out! :)

Nah - their site is just quick and easy to find stuff, and link to it.
There's any number of places you can get a wired FM modulator from, and
probably even cheaper than that - but at least you get the idea.

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