IPod w/Cassette Adapter-How to Optimize Sound Quality?

Question

I have I believe a G2 iPod (15 GB), and I play it in my car using a cassette adapter. I've found that to keep the sound from degrading at above average volumes, I have to make some adjustments. One, I have to set the EQ to 'Bass Reducer'. Two, I have to make sure the volume on the iPod is at about 80%. If I go above that, the sound distorts. The lower you go below that, the more hissing you get w/ the playback. I also turn the 'Sound Check' setting on.
Any other recommendations on how to optimize the sound quality when playing it through your vehicle sound system? Also, I'm thinking about getting a G5 unit (most likely the 4 GB Nano). Anyone have any feedback on whether I can expect better sound quality, in particular in my vehicle with the setup outlined above, by upgrading to the newer unit?

Answer 1

Various Methods to Connect to a Car Stereo System, or Listen to Your iPod in the Vehicle
Best:
Direct connection via the dock connector or headphone jack of your iPod, to the mini-jack input (or AUX RCA input jacks) of your car stereo. Not many low/moderate-end cars have this feature yet, but it is becoming more popular. Some aftermarket auto stereo units may have this feature.
There are also some after-market, moderate to fairly expensive direct interfaces, that hook into your existing car stereo to provide a high-quality, direct connection. Most will also power/charge the iPod. Pretty slick, but can be pricey ($80-$300). If money is no object, a clean way to go. Not very portable from car to car – if at all.
http://logjamelectronics.com/ipodproducts.html
http://www.myradiostore.us/auxadapters/blitzsafe/blitzsafe-m-link-ipod-interface .html
http://www.theistore.com/ipod2car.html
http://www.mp3yourcar.com/
Better:
Connect your iPod to a cassette adaptor and play your tunes through your car's cassette player. Some new cars no longer come with a cassette player, so it may not be an option. It will provide even better audio quality if you can run the audio feed out of the dock connector (see the SendStation link below). Can be portable between cars that have a cassette player and also be used in your home cassette system. $5 to $20 for the adaptors, with large variations in quality (even with the same model).
Good:
Attach an FM transmitter to your iPod and play the tunes through an unused FM station. Convenient, but wireless FM transmitter signals are susceptible to static and outside interference, and can vary in strength and quality depending on your location. Some noticeable degradation and distortion, depending on the quality of the transmitter, the sensitivity of your ears and the airwave congestion in your area. Highly portable between cars, and may be used in a home system. FM transmitters that need to be plugged into a DC auto jack may not work in a home environment (without some sort of adaptor). You can pay from $15 to more than $80 for some of these.....but for FM quality audio, how much is too much?
Marginal:
Attach an external speaker system to the iPod and play it in the car. Workable, but not too good - unless you spring for a $300+ Bose (or similar) system. But why? Only if your vehicle has no Stereo system, perhaps.
Brave Techno-Geek:
This site gives some directions on adapting a car stereo by yourself. Risky, but it has been successfully accomplished by a forum member. Fairly inexpensive....unless you screw it up.
Whichever you choose, power the iPod through your car’s DC power -- either from a power adapter, or as part of the combined audio adaptor. Have a method to secure the iPod to the dash/console/etc. See the reviews for all the various accessories at the iLounge
You will also get better audio output if the dock connection plug is used, rather than the headphone jack. See Sendstation for a novel adaptor called a PocketDock. Others types are also available via this site.
I have read positive and negative reviews of each method, and within methods there are great variations in performance of different manufacture's systems – and peoples’ opinions of their performance. Some cassette adaptors/FM transmitters work poorly, some better.
FWIW: I have the iTrip Mini & the Newer Technology RoadTrip!+ FM transmitters, a Belkin cassette adaptor (used both with & w/out the PocketDock) and two vehicles with the BlitzSafe direct interface. Using the same song in the same car, I found that the FM transmitters worked, but not as good as the cassette adapter via the headphone jack. Using the PocketDock on the cassette adapter resulted in a significant audio quality improvement. As expected, the Blitzsafe direct connect was exceptionally better than everything else: less tinny, a more warmer/richer sound, and close to true CD quality.