Gents,

i'm looking for an audio solution for my XK8 MY 2003 with a non-premium system. I would like to keep the original head unit and have swapped the Nav unit for 3 gauges. In addition, the automatic antenna is deactivated, the reception with the replacement antenna is actually poor. In addition, the CD changer is increasingly producing the annoying E-01 error despite repairs.

I would now like to install a DAB+ adapter that promises good radio reception and allows playlists to be played from my mobile phone.

What I'm struggling with now is that the magnificent Alpine head unit doesn't have an AUX connection or the existing one with AI Net plugs is occupied by the CD changer and has to stay that way if i understand it right.

In a post here in the forum I wrote about the P.I.E. ALP/AI-AUX Auxiliary Audio Switcher for Alpine which ist still available. Can anyone confirm that this adapter offers an AUX input that can be used with a DAB+ adapter?
I am grateful for all useful tips,

Fritz

 

This is what I use, never any issues. Great sound.

my car has the Alpine system. Which for 2002 was the premium option.

the discount car stereo device plugs into the amp rack. Very easy install once you get the rack loosened up and tilted outward so the plugs can be accessed.


https://www.discountcarstereo.com/a2...ategory_id=448

Z

 

Yeah these provide an aux input. Used one with a bluetooth module for a while. So if you can find an external DAB receiver for automotive, you can use this. There is an accessory circuit in the trunk fuse box you can tap into for power, but you do need to connect a relay in the trunk fuse box for it unless your car has already had that done (for example, if you have a trunk accessory socket/cigarette style plug). You could just tap the power from the amp of course, these modules dont draw any appreciable current.

One gotcha I found with these modules however was that they would disconnect the aux input when there was no audio signal. So if your music has a quiet pause in it sometimes it would switch back to the car radio. Also meant that I couldnt use my bluetooth module for calls, because when I was speaking there was no audio signal going to the speakers and thus it would switch back to the car radio. This was mostly just annoying because I wanted to make hands free calls, but it did happen once with a pause between tracks. Worth thinking about. Thus i eventually went full aftermarket on my whole in car audio.

 

Thank you for your experiences, that helps me. Every solution is a compromis and you just have to decide what you want. At the moment I want good radio reception and playlists from the mobile while retaining the original look. I solve navigation and hands-free calling differently.

Since my XK8 is not equipped with the premium system there is no amplifier in the trunk. The question is therefore whether the PIE adapter can also be connected directly to the head unit and has a line out for the CD player (AI net plugs). This would also make supplying power to the DAB adapter easier. The RCA sockets of the PIE would then be the AUX input for the DAB adapter.

I would order a PIE, price is reasonable. But the provider doesn't ship to Europe and I would have to contact a cousin in Fl. and bother him with the processing (shipping, customs declaration).
Therefor it should work, so maybe someone here has already connected the PIE adapter to the head unit.

Thanks again,

Fritz

 

I just bought a 5m RCA cable, soldered it into the CD changer and connected an Pure Highway 600 DAB/Bluetooth adapter.
Then you get DAB(+), Bluetooth handsfree telephone and Bluetooth Audio, and it works really well.

 

That sounds perfect, I have the PURE Highway DAB adapter too! I also thought of a solution with a temporary AUX connection because only three signals are actually needed, left, right and ground.
Did you document the connection with the RCA cable on the CD changer or can you tell me how you connected it? I've already looked at the circuit diagram, but it doesn't show the details needed.

Thanks, Fritz

 

Dont remember exactly, but open the cd changer and follow the AI-net cable and you will find where it connects to a small PCB board with a (white?) connector. The board are marked with L, R and ground, pretty sure the wires are green, blue and black. Cut those three wires and solder on the RCA cables. Job done.
Do a search on this site, I am pretty sure I saw some pictures before I did mine.

 

Sounds like a solvable task, I'll take a look at it. I also remember the pictures of the solution you mentioned and will definitely find them again. Thanks in the meantime,

Fritz