McIntosh/iPod Stereo Question

[Kingman]

Does the McIntosh CD player have an 8PIN DIN plug on the back of the head?

I came across a product announcement in Musclecar Enthusiast Magazine for an iPod connector to a CD controller head. This will to facilitate access to the play list so that the iPod can be changed/played from the radio controls.

http://www.casmfg.com/MP3_interface.htm#iPOD

 

[fjpikul]

No, not that I remember. The AUX input is through two RCA plugs (one right, one left). Besides, have you tried playing with the radio controls while you're driving? I much prefer having the ipod on my lap on the long cable so I can easily play whatever I want. I also have a little two pocket holder that fits in between the seat and console to hold the ipod and cell phone (look for one of my old posts with pictures). The radio controls are just too low and far away to manipulate while you're driving fast.

 

[mardyn]

One of the biggest disappointments I have with my GT is the radio.

First, the cost.. what was it? like a $4K option or something like that, 2nd, the rediculous sub-woofer/amp placement, 3rd there's no easily accessible AUX input, and lastly, it's just difficult to operate when driving, it's too low, it's too far, it's too complicated, the whole thing is just a fiasco in my opinion...

but I do have to admit, when I rarely do listen to it, it does sound great.

How could Ford build such a great car otherwise, and end up with such a horrible situation with the audio system?

I recently purchased some new tunes for my GT350, it has a USB port right on the front.

mardyn

 

[barondw]

Does the McIntosh CD player have an 8PIN DIN plug on the back of the head?

I came across a product announcement in Musclecar Enthusiast Magazine for an iPod connector to a CD controller head. This will to facilitate access to the play list so that the iPod can be changed/played from the radio controls.

http://www.casmfg.com/MP3_interface.htm#iPOD

Kingman

It has RCA jacks that makes the plug in easy. This is a link to guy who sells what is need: http://www.davidnavone.com/cart.asp?24&cat=4

Need to splice into power source and your are set.

Dave

 

[Kingman]

Kingman

It has RCA jacks that makes the plug in easy. This is a link to guy who sells what is need: http://www.davidnavone.com/cart.asp?24&cat=4

Need to splice into power source and your are set.

Dave

Dave,

Are you referring to - N-IPOD-RCA-Plus ?

 

[Bill Oxley]

.

Just my personal opinion, even though we paid, what was it? 4k for the Mac option, I never even turn the radio/stereo on when I driving my GT.

I have no idea how it sounds, good or bad.

You all know where I'm going with this. With the Ford Racing Borla, the engine sound!!! ++++, who cares about the radio.

 

[BlackICE]

Just my personal opinion, even though we paid, what was it? 4k for the Mac option, I never even turn the radio/stereo on when I driving my GT.

I have no idea how it sounds, good or bad.

You all know where I'm going with this. With the Ford Racing Borla, the engine sound!!! ++++, who cares about the radio.

+1.

I just removed the damm ugly thing and put the stock non-mac panel in it place. You can even get a CF panel now.

 

[Joehand1]

I bought a 12 dollar RCA cable and hooked it to my I pod. I Do listen to music and I disagree with you that it is a fiasco, the stereo is fantastic when played loud.

 

[Fubar]

I bought a 12 dollar RCA cable and hooked it to my I pod. I Do listen to music and I disagree with you that it is a fiasco, the stereo is fantastic when played loud.

Agreed, I like the radio. I wish it had a few extras like Satellite and CD changers attachments but it's functional, it is very a high end name (if lacking it technical gismos) and it sounds great. There is nothing better than some good driving music being drowned out by the supercharger. :thumbsup

 

[cobrar1339]

When rowing gears through our local canyon road or on the street I like to hear the exhaust. But on the longer freeway runs I do enjoy the Mac. I burn my cruise music to CD, not as many songs, but it still works for me. I would love to have the Ipod connection though.

From reading the posts the only hard part of the Ipod connector install is finding the tool to remove the Mac. Anyone got a tool to remove the MAC or know where to get one?, Ford part #?

 

[Fubar]

From reading the posts the only hard part of the Ipod connector install is finding the tool to remove the Mac. Anyone got a tool to remove the MAC or know where to get one?, Ford part #?

I think it's a pretty standard stereo removal tool. Just drop by your local "Car Toy's" store and I bet they'd pop it out for nothing.

 

[fjpikul]

NO, this is not you're local stereo store pop out deal. The tool is very head unit specific. One of the guys here loaned me his. Do a search for part numbers, and I believe Kendall has a set. The hard part is getting the two little brushed aluminum side bars off to get the tool in. I bought a Monster cable ($20-30). Make sure you use LOTS of blue painters tape. Once the head is out, takes 5 minutes. Spirit was lucky enough to do it without pulling the head unit, but my wiring harness was tucked in so far I couldn't reach it. I also have charger that fits power point, not hardwired for power. You can run wire from back of unit on either right or left side (I chose driver's side). Do a search for much more info on this. You can use anything on this RCA hookup (satellite, etc).

Wally, I don't know how you did it, but the Mac unit doesn't play MP3 CDs. I tried every computer trick I knew and could not burn something that worked (at least legally). What's your trick? The ipod does work great when hooked up and is perfect for long drives. Make sure ipod volume is up high and then adjust volume at the head unit, not the ipod.

 

[cobrar1339]

Frank,

I just burned some tunes off my itunes file and it worked fine. I do have some older stuff that merged to itunes from the Nap days. Maybe that is what is doing it. I will check tomorrow with some newer itune files. It only holds 13-15 tracks per CD depending on how long the songs are. I am not real savvy on this kind of stuff. Are we saying the same thing?.

FYI... I build some power point files that have music in them. If I use itunes Windows Media player does not like it. So to get around it I rip the Itunes file to Windows media. I can que up a bunch and walk away. Once ripped they can go into Power Point and play nice with Mr. Gates stuff. If these are ripped files that merged to itunes maybe that is what works. I will have to check and see. Now you have me real curious.

 

[THamonGT]

The davidnavone set up has a hot wire connect and two different ipod connects and does charge your ipod when plugged in and listening. The best. TGH

 

[MAD IN NC]

The radio removal tool part number is 415-003. It is unique. I went to the stero store and tried a et of Clarion tools (they own Macintossh) and all they did was cut the crap out of my fingers.

The instruction suck. The little chrome radio bexels pull off by pulling forward!

 

[barondw]

The davidnavone set up has a hot wire connect and two different ipod connects and does charge your ipod when plugged in and listening. The best. TGH

Mine hooks in through the bottom plug of the iPod and charges as you use it. It is not an RCA plug to the iPod itself

 

[Mark06GT]

Tunecast

Instead of rewiring anything, we bought a Tunecast for about $30. To use it, plug it into the console’s power port, tune the radio and Tunecast to a non-functional station (one that just gets static), then plug the Tunecast into your iPod or Nano. The Tunecast transmits the iPod signal via radio waves. No hardwiring required. It’s also portable, so I can run it from any of my cars.

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=140984

 

[Joehand1]

Wish I could help you with this, but I got the Ford dealer to do it when I got my halfshaft bolts replaced.

 

[fjpikul]

Wally, I'll give that a try. We are on the same wavelength. BTW, love that belt holder. Thanks Frank


Also, for everybodys info, I tried to manipulate the RCA plugs out with doctor tools and couldn't get it. My little silver side bars were, like superglued to the radio front panel. Took me two hours to finesse them out. Rest of the job took 15 minutes.

 

[cobrar1339]

NO, this is not you're local stereo store pop out deal. The tool is very head unit specific. One of the guys here loaned me his. Do a search for part numbers, and I believe Kendall has a set. The hard part is getting the two little brushed aluminum side bars off to get the tool in. I bought a Monster cable ($20-30). Make sure you use LOTS of blue painters tape. Once the head is out, takes 5 minutes. Spirit was lucky enough to do it without pulling the head unit, but my wiring harness was tucked in so far I couldn't reach it. I also have charger that fits power point, not hardwired for power. You can run wire from back of unit on either right or left side (I chose driver's side). Do a search for much more info on this. You can use anything on this RCA hookup (satellite, etc).

Wally, I don't know how you did it, but the Mac unit doesn't play MP3 CDs. I tried every computer trick I knew and could not burn something that worked (at least legally). What's your trick? The ipod does work great when hooked up and is perfect for long drives. Make sure ipod volume is up high and then adjust volume at the head unit, not the ipod.

Frank I just tested it. I burned some tunes directly from my Itunes. To be sure I downloaded new stuff this morning 14 tracks. I used a Memorex CD-R and they play fine. So fine, that my wife said to quit having a rock concert in the garage:thumbsup. Maybe the Apple software updates have allowed this to work over the last year. The first disc I burned to play in the GT was about April 2007. Not sure if there are differences in the Macs, my car is late october of 2005 build #2005.