Hi all, I have been scanning the forum for an hour or so and I could not find exactly what I am after. I apologize if I have missed a recent thread on this topic.

As the title suggests, I would like to connect a generic jack AUX cable to the radio so that I can easily play music from any kind of sources with a decent quality. I will primarily listen MP3s from an IPod.

I did try the cassette adaptor (the one from Berkin) but it does not work well (the cassette player keeps "inversing" the virtual tape every 30s, if it makes sense...) and the messy cable just looks damn ugly in a Jag. The sound is just okay.

The iP-JAGCD iPod Adapter system is definitively attractive but, for some reasons, it doesn't seem compatible with a 2000 model year XK8.

I then start to run out of easy options. I guess it should be possible to connect an AUX jack to the entries initially designed for the phone, at the back of the radio. What are the cables in questions ? Is it possible to establish this kind of connection using the cables running under the armrest ?

Once this is sorted, it will then install a switch to keep the ugly antenna down - I have seen the specific thread for that one. And will try to fit my Ipod in the ashtray as some of you have successfully done.

Many thanks for you help !

 

I made a little writeup on an iPhone dock I made, which also includes getting audio into the stock stereo.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...project-91787/

Unfortunately the telephone audio is mono and (I believe) front speaker only. If you want a true stereo line-input you will ahve to go the same route as me, which requires modifying the amplifier in the trunk, then pulling a cable through the car, just like I did in that thread.

If you're happy with bluetooth audio, the current best solution would be the IO Play 2.

 

I take it you have tried the IP-JAGCD? Are you aware there are different versions for standard and premium audio? You need the correct one. Premium audio can be identified by the amp over the CD player (behind the carper wall).

 

Hi WhiteXKR,

The system is comptatible with all 1998-2006 XK8 ! (from VIN # 018108 58384 and beyond). I missread the bloody list like an idiot ! Mine has no amplifier but, as you said, that's not a problem, just need to buy the right piece of kit and connect it directly to the radio. Great news !

 

Fantastic !! The kind of project that is likely to be beyond my skills. But what a result !

 

What about using this 8 pin DIN male cable, plugged at the back of the radio and replacing the lead from the changer. It's cheap - 5 bucks on eBay. Too nice to be true, right guys ?

ALPINE M-BUS CD Changer to RCA auxiliary audio input adapter cable

 

Right it is not that simple. A 2000 has an AI-Net bus, not M-bus (even though the connectors look similar). It expects digital messages from the CD player to enable the audio channel.

There are ways to do it, but the IP-JAGCD is a particularly elegant solution for and IPod/Iphone...probably the best way to go.

 

Steve-

Are there any updates for what's available for a 97 with premium sound? Those of us with early cars have been out of luck on this so far.

Thanks for the help!

.

 

+1 on Steve's recommendation for the ip-JagCD - there is also the JAGCDR which retains the cd-changer functions if so desired - posted links for both below

http://www.discountcarstereo.com/iP-JAGCD.html

http://www.discountcarstereo.com/JAG-CDR.html

 

Go with an iSimple Tranzit wired FM modulator. You should get very respectable results.

 

Anybody tried one of these?

iSimple ISFM21 Bluetooth Enabled FM Transmitter A2DP Audio for Android | eBay

 

Would a '97 have this "M-bus" system? Would the $5 eBay connector work on a '97? Thanks in advance for your wisdom!

 

Yes, it has the M-bus.

But no, unfortunately the M-bus also has a data link. Those $5 cables are for old aftermarket Alpine equipment that has an AUX selection setting, which the Jag units do not.

There is however an almost 'free' way to get direct audio in if you do some 'hacking' to the Jag's M-bus cable. If you put some audio CDs in the changer and select CD, you will turn on the audio channel in the M-bus cable. Then you can hack into the M-bus analog audio signals with your Aux. line level analog source, and disconnect the CD source. You can wire it permanently or add a switch or relays. There are some old posts, I think in the X308 XJ section of the forum that discuss this method in detail.

There also used to be M-bus AUX adapters (not the simple cables, but smart adapters), but AFAIK no one makes them anymore.