thread digging:

through my research i have found two companies that allow limited control of the ipod via the stock headunit of the 94+ alpine/becker tape player headunit with the CD changer option:
Monster makes an adapter called the iCruze
http://www.monstercable.com/icruze/
you must also purchase the m-bus link and then connect this adapter to the CD changer port on the head unit. I believe that this (and the dension product) make it impossible to use the CD changer with their products.

Dension
Densionusa makes the IceLink v1.1 that works with the pre 99 apline/becker head units. At this time, I can't find the information about these units on their website.

Both of these allow you to change songs (tracks) and ffwd/rwd with the controls on the head unit.

For MBCA members, there is an article in The Star about connecting an iPod to any old Becker radio.

__________________
Adam Lumsden
(83) 300D
Vice-President of the MBCA International Stars Section

Not quite...depends on your radio. For non-M Class 94-98's, read on...

I've spent the last couple weeks researching how best to update my stock 95 E320 sound system. My goal is to keep things stock looking, keep the price down (target is to spend under $500, including a subwoofer), add line level aux inputs for my iPod and Delphi XM, and to get a significant sound quality improvement.

Step one - got the Rainbows up front. Just like everyone here said...easy install, big difference in sound quality.

Step two - get line level aux inputs for my iPod and Delphi XM. I really wanted to use the stock head unit, but the price I was quoted for adding an aux input using the tape circuit was pretty outrageous; you can buy a new head unit, with more features and integral aux inputs for less. Using off the shelf parts, I found a better and cheaper alternative, that doesn't require an expensive modification to your head unit. You do give up the CD changer capability, but if you're hooking up your iPod, who cares?

Getting multiple aux inputs requires two components. First, Blitzsafe makes an adaptor that plugs into the CD changer port, providing a single aux input. No surprise here - several manufacturers offer this, although the model I found plugs directly into the back of my stock head unit. All the others I found plugged into the changer end of the cable; what a hassle to get the inputs routed back up to the dash. Blitzsafe part number is MB/AUX DMX V.1A - here's a link to where I ordered it from ($80.)

Second component - a Soundgate Aux3. This hooks into the single aux input provided by the Blitzsafe adaptor, and provides a switched connection for 3 inputs. This allows me to keep the iPod and Delphi XM plugged in, and switch between them with the flick of the included switch. Buy.com has the best price I could find ($40.)

I've hooked up all the pieces, and things work as expected. Sound quality is way better than stock, and should get better still once I get a small sub installed. But first comes the tough part...figuring out the mounting and wiring for the iPod and Delphi. I'll post some pics once complete.

While it wouldn't work for me, Blitzsafe also just came out with a new iPod only device, the M-Link 1. They have an application for the same 94-98 head units. If you only need to hook up your iPod (no additional aux inputs), it's an even better solution. It also hooks into the back of the radio, but has an iPod dock connector, and charges the iPod as well as providing a line level input. It does not allow you to control your iPod from the factory radio, but I'd rather control things from the iPod anyway. It's hard to find details on this unit, but here's a link to a post on Blitzsafe's forum where they mention it's available.

Bill

Does this include the 70's version of Becker Mexico Radios? If so, could you please expand on this topic?

I have a cassette player in my Becker. I also have a dummy cassette tape that has a wire for input from a portable CD player. My daughter plugs her ipod into that and it works fine.

__________________
'82 300SD - 361K mi - "Blue"

"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."

listen, look, .........and duck.

indeed but the sound quality is horrible with most (if not all) tape adapters. We're looking for better options in terms of quality and ease of use. The tape adapter + cig power adapter leave a lot of messy cables all over the center console. Aux in and other CD changer options eliminate this mess and dramatically increase the sound quality (to near CD)

Also, the cig power adaptors are not a "clean" source of power. At higher volumer you will get a noticable buzzing noise through your speakers.

What we are talking about here guys, is a good "digital to digital" connection for your ipod.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

I would avoid using the iPod's earphone output to connect to the head unit's AUX input. A cheap Belkin cable (powered from the cig adapter, which in my case, has NO buzzing) connects to the iPod and uses the line out signal, which is considerably cleaner than the earphone out signal. The Belkin adapter has an unnecessary volume control on it, so it must be used judiciously or you will overdrive the signal and end up listening to mud.

By the way, I decided to move the placement of my cig adapter. While in the ashtray, it was always in the way of the volume control on my Eclipse head unit. See pic.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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Matt
------
1995 E300 Diesel (Die Blau Frau)

Update with my 1978 Becker mexico analog radio.

I'm able to use a 20gb Ipod with the Griffin Itrip FM transmitter. It takes a little bit to "find" the FM station you've set since the tuner isn't digital but it works and it sounds good....

Regis

A gift from Kelly?

I find a hard wired RF modulator provides better sound quality since it takes the aerial out of the loop to minimize cross signals. Something like this -

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-in2fC9wRgc0/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=227750&I=142FMMOD01

The benefit of an RF modulator is that FM radio has a bandwidth of 50Hz - 15KHz which has the effect blocking deep bass and shrill highs that less than state of the art stereos and speakers can't handle properly.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

I don't understand why anyone would want to connect an ipod via an FM Modulator or RF signal.

Why?

They suck, big time.

The sound is horrible horrible horrible.

If you live in a big city, like L.A., an FM modulator is worthless, as virtually every radio frequency is taken.

If you are going to spend your hard earned money, and buy a $200-$400 ipod, and then spend more hard earned money to buy a cable or system to connect your ipod to your radio, why in God's great earth would you want to go with a connection that cheapens the sound?

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

suginami, the benefit of an RF transmitter like the Griffin iTrip is away from the city, but in urban FM congested areas, I agree that it's a lost cause. On an Oakland, CA to Salem OR night run up I-5, the iTrip was hopeless until I got between Oakland and Sacramento. Once out in the open I was able to switch off the local FM stations (great Latino music late at night, btw) in the area and iPod it up Grant's Pass . . .

Paul,

I agree with you. That's why I consider an iPod to be a $6-800 purchase, not a $300 purchase, if the purpose is to use an iPod to improve sound quality, not just to carry a jukebox.

This takes the thread on a tangent since it's originally about maintaining the integrity of sound to the speakers.

I tried a wireless RF converter with other inputs (not an iPod) and was very disappointed with performance in the San Jose, CA area because of interference. On the other hand I've had a CD changer playing through a wired RF converter and the sound quality was good enough for me, and I expect for quite a number of iPod users. Maybe the question should be - is there a cheaper and/or easier way to carry 20GB worth of MP3s and play this music in a car that doesn't have a CD player?

Thanks,
Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Hi Bill,
Do you know if this would work with an OEM Alpine Audio 10 head unit? It also has the slots open in the back for the optional CD changer.

I purchased this MB OEM to replace the after market stereo that was on my '83 300SD, it works great and looks nice and

brgds,
Rafael

Don't confuse FM Modulators, with FM Transmitters. I agree the Transmitters are usually worthless. Modulators on the other-hand wire in directly with the antenna and shut-off the incoming antenna signal.

__________________
Adam Lumsden
(83) 300D
Vice-President of the MBCA International Stars Section