Alpine Ipod cable

Does the alpine ipod controller cable provide a higher quality of sound over the 3.5mm aux cable?

Good question. My guess would be very little, but the cable also charges the iPod as well, right?

Never looked inside one of them up close to see how the preamp line level and headphone out get their signal. I remember an audio guru telling me that the preamp section of the iPods were actually very good for what it was.

Just some advice on cables.. If you end up getting 3.5mm, get a good quality cable! I bought one for about $40 that was 8' long and made a huge difference in sound LEVEL and quality compared to a standard cable.

Made a big difference in my system..

I'm at the in-laws right now. I might be posting more than usually.. ;)

I bought a cable that plugs into the dock connector. This bypasses the iPod's internal amp. The sound is great, the downside is that you can't charge it while using it.

I would assume the sound is slightly higher quality because I think it actually simulates a data connection to the ipod rather then an actual line-level input. This is assuming you're speaking of the Fullspeed interface. But if youhave a head unit that accepts the Fullspeed cable - you can get one for about 10$ now. Since they came out with a newer usb-interface for them that actually lets you use the ipod dock (if I understand correctly in my quick read of their site) the fullspeed stuff isn't such a big deal.

But anyways, as stated the fullspeed interface charges and lets you control the ipod from the headunit, or in my case - the steering wheel controls. More convenient then having that plug hanging around the cabin attached to the ipod.



I could be entirely wrong here, but there is definitely some type of data connection being made to the ipod when you plug it in and I cannot see why they'd waste wiring on levelled inputs when they can transpose the digital source inside the headunit and they have that connection active already.

A full speed iPod connection is a very big deal. It's not just the speed, which is significantly faster, it's the fact that it allows the HU to mimic the iPod menus.

A full speed iPod connection is a very big deal. It's not just the speed, which is significantly faster, it's the fact that it allows the HU to mimic the iPod menus.

Yes and no, I have one and it's awesome. 1000x better then any FM modulator and I'd assume a line-out and definitely headphone-out as well.

But that's old school now, so no longer the big deal it once was. :(


Fifth-generation iPods with the latest firmware link directly to the iDA-X001 via a direct high-speed USB connection. Unlike previous solutions, which relied on an analog interface cable or adapter box, the iDA-X001’s pure digital USB connection provides fast data transfer, quick command response and superior iPod sound. It provides full digital audio using a 24-bit Burr Brown DAC and has a built-in 18 Watt x 4 amplifier (at CEA-2006 power ratings) and 3 pre-outs. The iPod data access speed is approximately 25 thousand times faster than Alpine’s Full Speed™ Connection for iPod cable (Full Speed cable transfer rate: 19.2 kBps; USB transfer rate: 480 mBps).



http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/company/pr/pr.php?prid=141&year=2007

I wouldn't call it old school. There are plenty of HU's around that don't support it that people here are installing.

I wouldn't call it old school. There are plenty of HU's around that don't support it that people here are installing.

Hey Shovel, Kevin here just a quick question, I have the XM Satellite Radio in my Ridgeline what is my best option to listen to my ipod ? the FM transmitter blows and sounds awful. Its not that much of a money issue I don't mind spending a couple hundred dollars to listen to clear tunes.

Thank you very much: Kevin :)

Check this thread:

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15562

The interface cable now passes through the XM connections.

Good luck

Check this thread:

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15562

The interface cable now passes through the XM connections.

Good luck

Thank you Shovel you da man :)