Info from AV forum

http://www.avforums.com/forums/car-entertainment-ice/838356-ipod-amplifier-only-car.html

It's worth bearing in mind Russ, that the audio quality is significantly reduced when using the headphone socket.

More info here: http://www.avforums.com/forums/portable-music-mp3-ipod-etc/704057-ipod-dock-vs-cheapy-phonos.html

You're best bet if you're going down the direct ipod to amp route is to get an ipod dock and mount it on the dash (it would also keep your ipod safe!) You could also then put a 12v charger into the back of it and charge it while you drive.

Using the 'dock connector' to connect the ipod to your speakers uses the ipod higher quality line out, carrying just an audio signal, no volume control. The volume is then controlled by your amp.

If you're using an iPhone try and get a magnetically shielded amp.

Guys...just buy a decent car stereo power amp - bout 50w+50w will be fine - a couple of decent all range speakers and a 10 or 12 inch sub in the boot space and the input from any mp3 player/itouch/ipod etc via a small stereo headphone phono to left and right full size phono lead into the amp and it will be fine. No need to worry about resistance as this will not effect either the amp or the mp3 player as they are designed for a wide range of ohms....The problem with a dock into the amp is that unless you have a remote volume control on the power amp you cannot easily adjust volume whereas total control from your ipod. Would also add that you would never notice the supposed difference in quality from a dock to a headphone socket in a 2CV but ask yourself this....if a docking slot was so much better than the headphone outlet why do you listen 99% of the time via that than the docking point eh? ssd

I agree - initially when I instaled mine I was going down the amp only route but for the same price you can have a desent head unit. 50 x 4 is ample.

I bought the sony GT300s http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sony-CDX-GT300-Car-CD-MP3-Player-Remote-IPOD-CONECTION_W0QQitemZ200454687884QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Audio_TV_Electronics_In_Car_Entertainment_GPS_In_Car_Audio_Players_PP?hash=item2eac07cc8c#ht_500wt_1161

I paid £100 for mine in '07. It remotely controls the ipod. As well as having 4 x 50w speaker outputs it has additional outputs (pre outs) that you could attach to an amp if you wanted to go for more wattage. Very highly recommended. It also has a sub connector and a remote turn on for the sub which means the sub is only on when the stereo is on. This one, and many other head units, have both wired and wireless remotes. The sony came with a wireless one which I tape to the steering wheel. I wired 'stalk' type remote is available too.

If you don't like the unit on the dash could you go down the CX route and put it between the seats? Or under the seat and use a remote.

On the subject of amp requirements, for two speakers and nowt else ebays finest chinese £8 almplifiers cope admirably well.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hi-Fi-Audio-Stere ... 5ad83987b9

Is currently in use in a friends 2cv.

will be fine Russ... Nick Creed has no headunit in his Mehari but an ipod type input to his amp. you just need to wire in some kind of switch for the amp as having no stero you will have no remote lead for the amp power on/off. leaving ti on all the time will cain your battery so switch it. not sure if remote is 5v or 12v? if you fit a 123 then wire it to the ignition. 123 kills power to coil so you wont cook it leaving the ignition on (apparently, never tried)

hope this helps... try it!

Hi Russell.

Your idea should certainly work.

I have a cheapo Chinese amp (similar to the one shown above in Terpineol's post) sitting neatly on the small shelf to the right of the steering column, and a lead identical to the one you linked to in your OP running to the central wiper motor cover, where sits an MP3 player.

What I found with this cheap amp, tho', is that it doesn't have much 'surge' protection, so gives the speakers a hell of a 'POP' when turned on and off - my Sony 'Xplods' nearly do.

So, here's another idea: I've just tested my old set of active 5.1 computer speakers with my MP3 player, and it works REALLY well! My speaker set is the Creative 5300 make and are 'active' (so have built in amp), have an adjustable sub-woofer control and a remote (by cable) on/off and volume control which could easily be mounted within fingertip reach - perhaps on the central wiper cover alongside the MP3 player. Oh, and these speakers are powered via a separate mains transformer which gives a 12V output - so drop the transformer and power it direct!!

With only a single stereo 3.5mm jack being used (as opposed to all three being required for full 5.1 surround sound), what you get is standard stereo - two speakers - and the subwoofer. But, the sound is quite superb - crisp highs, and a solid low-down bass that you can feel as well as hear. I haven't tried them in the car, but I am absolutely certain it'll be FAR superior to what I currently have.

The stereo speakers are in small neat cases and should easily fit on the front shelf of a 2CV. The sub-woofer is another issue - it's around 225mm square - and I haven't explored yet where this could go. Ideally, it would fit under the front seats, but if necessary it can go behind the rears.

These are identical to mine: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Creative-5-1-insp ... 3cabcbaf1d


I bet they won't go for much - 'cos there's lots out there! These are decent quality, give you an amp as well as 6 speakers, and a remote control too. Everything you need in a neat package - except for the MP3 player itself.

Some other makes/models have flatter sub-woofers, so would definitely fit under the seats. For anyone thinking of trying this out, make sure they are 12V operated, are a decent make, etc etc.

Similar: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... TQ:GB:1123

Also, I believe, 12V operated. I wonder if the woofer is flatter so could sit on its side under the front seats?

Thanks DA, I ordered a 4ch jbl amp, a pair of 16cm jbl speakers and a 12" jbl sub, it works absolutely fine with just the two speakers, but I've just arrived home and the postie has dropped my sub off, so I'm going to put that in in a moment then spend the rest of the evening setting the amp up (i had the crossovers set so the speakers were also putting some low notes out as the sub wasn't here) I'm a little worried I might have buggered the speakers but only because I cranked it up as loud as it'd go and used it all weekend like that. I might be wrong though, it doesn't sound at all bad.

Ok I don't really follow any of what has been said, sorry. In simple terms what to I need to get some music in my car? I have the original radio and I think one speaker (under dash) but they look cool so I'd like to leave them and have music from elsewhere. Would I just need that Amp above and two speakers, like the ones Viking was suggesting and an I-pod??

I know nothing of these things.