jhkanda

I have searched a few threads and haven't found the best way to hardwire an ipod plug into my W208 cabriolet factory Bose system. I have seen an antenna adapter kit online that you can use but wanted to see if there were any better ideas or if people thought that I should just put in a new head unit. The current FM broadcasters I have just aren't good enough. Thanks. Justin

MarcusF

I have an Alpine iDA-X305. Aside from an AM/FM radio, it was designed to download digital files directly from the iPod/iPhone through a USB connection, rather than an analog signal through a cable (Apple fought allowing this type of access for years). The X305 also will read MP3, WMA, or AAC files from a USB powered drive (16GB flash drives - over 150 hours worth of MP3 music, 64GB flash drives will hold 600+ hours, or several hundred GB via an external drive for more music than I can imagine wanting to hear). I haven't used them, but it will also talk to the iRiver Clix, Creative Zen, or Toshiba Gigabeat through the USB connection. The iDA-X305 does not read CDs (who needs them?) but will talk to an Alpine CD changer. Adding a PAC OEM-2 will take the unbalanced audio interconnection, and convert it to a balanced audio interconnection, which is what your Bose amps (and most other high-end audio equipment) are looking for. I believe you’ll be pleased with the results. If you need more, Sirus, HD radio, and Bluetooth are available. Also, the Alpine IMPRINT audio processor will work with it.

Those with later cars who want to retain their steering wheel controls, can use a PAC CAN2 and a PAC SWI-JACK. I did and they work as designed.

Here’s a guy doing a demo/review of an iDA-X305 and the CES in Vegas.
http://ces.cnet.com/1801-19505-50005002.html

I hope that helps.

jhkanda

Thank you. I am looking at one of them online now.

J56BP

we have adapter at Brandsmart for $15.00......also need wires from 1999 jetta

$12.00...

brasil

who is "we" at "brandsmart?" i definitely need to do this conversion but i would like a link to exactly where to buy the adapter (i'm in NYC) and some step-by-step instructions with photos. thx!