OK, I'm trying to hook up my iPod to the TL stereo and so far I've tried two different tape adapters and neither work with my stereo.

Sony - for some reason the left speakers don't work with this one, sound quality kind of sucks (on the speakers it does work on), and there is an audible hiss.

Maxell - VERY distorted. Sounded like absolute crap.

So what is everyone else using? I'm almost thinking about getting one of those Griffin FM modulators with the luck I'm having with these tape deck adapters....

 

that's weird... i have an aiwa and a panasonic adaptor, and the sound only comes from the driver's side. this happened in my brother's 2G TL, too... i knew it wasn't the cassette adaptors, because they worked perfectly fine in my eclipse (standard infinity sound system).

it's gotta be the tape deck in the TL's.

i wonder if the FM transmittors work well in the TL, since the antennas are integrated into the rear window.

 

monster adapter. got it at ipod store. $20. works great

 

I have an RCA adapter for $10 from K-Mart that actually sounds pretty good with my Zen Micro. Was skeptical as most of these sell for $20 or so. No unusual hiss and the tape wheels (must spin to fool the cassette deck that a real tape was inserted) are pretty quiet. Had to play with the equalizer on the Zen Micro for the best sound and turn the player's volume to 25 (max) but there is no significant distortion.

Must say though the player is much more capable through Sony MDR-EX71 Ear buds or through my Klipsch 2.1 portable speaker system and would guess a direct connection wired to the Aux/XM imput to the TL receiver would do a much better job than a cassette adapter or FM Modulator.

By the Way if you only get sound out of one channel you might want to try changing the "side" that is playing (shifts the heads in line with the sound producing strips on the adapter). This might work.

Happy listening, John

 

This is strange, I unplugged my Sony tape adapter, and moved the wire from it all around, then plugged it back in and it works now. Actually doesn't sound too bad when I adjust my iPod's EQ. Definitely not as good as the line in on my last car sounded though

 

I also have the Sony one. It works well with my 2004 TL with NAVI. You can hear some hiss and a slight humming which I think may be related th electronic noise from the spark plug wires. Turning on Dolby NR eliminated the hum and noise but did muffle the sound somewhat. While driving it sounds great without NR. The sound is reasonable clear and clean. It's by no means CD quality but for the $8 I paid for it at Target, it was worth it. It was on the clearance rack with a cigarette power adaptor for their MD and CD players.

dsc888

 

I just bought a Panasonic one at Wal Mart for like $10 and the sound quality kicks the crap out of the Sony. Almost all the hiss is gone and it is much more crisp.

 

I just checked Walmart's site and they only list the Belkin and the Monster adapter. I wonder if it's something that may be carried in certain store only. Was it just the cassette adapter or did it come with a cigarette power adapter too? Thanks for the info.

dsc888

 

When is the SmartDeck supposed to hit the market?

 

Supposed to be anytime now. The pre-order price went up to 29.95 from 24.95. Should be nice to be able to control the iPod from steering wheel!

 

Sony adapter from like 1998 which i got with with my portable CD player. It sounds just like a CD system.

 

I got Sony CPA-9C Cassette Adapter at Bestbuy on 05 TL for my Dell DJ20... Sound very clear... I do have to turn off the EQ and have the sound set to level 20 of 25....

 

Guys,

I also noticed that I was getting less sound from my left speakers every now and then. I stuck my finger into the tape slot and jiggled the tape shell a little and the sound improved a great bit. It's obviously an alignment problem. There is still hiss and a very low hum but it's much improved. I can live with it. It's fine when the car is moving. Until someone comes with a direct connector for our 3G TLs, I am stuck with this route.

dsc888

 

dsc888 it was just the tape adapter only. Maybe what you can buy online is different from what they carry in the store. I'd try running in there sometime and seeing what they have.

 

I went to both my local Walmarts here in the Boston area and they only carry the RCA adapters. As in my prior post, I was able to get better sound by jiggling the adapter while it was loaded. It doesn't always hold but it's good about 80% of the time. I'll check my local electronics shops.

dsc888

 

SONY adapter sounds great. The Monster Cable adapter had a lot
of noisey parts inside.

http://home.earthlink.net/~jmp54/sit...rius_in_22.jpg

 

I don't even see the tape adapter/wires in the attached picture. Am I missing something? Can the tape adapter really be that hidden?
I am considering the the ipod holder with tape adapter option but would like to keep a clean look?

 

Just get a Blitzsafe and be done with it.

 

Is Bltzsafe released for 04 and up TL? It does not show on their website.