pittpanther

Has anyone had any issues with the (lack of) volume level using the SNHOND3 aux input?

So far, I have connected my iPAQ and Sony XM Radio to it, and I had to max the line out levels on both of them then crank my volume almost to max on the car audio system just to get a marginally loud sound.

Has anyone else had this trouble? I am trying to find an RCA-based amplifier, but I'm not sure what quality I would see/hear.

mojo_RENAMED

I haven't had any big problems with sound levels, but it is probably about 5 'clicks' lower than the built-in CD player volume is.

pittpanther

Wow, mine is significantly lower than that. I would say to achieve a CD volume of 25 using the SNHOND3, I would have to crank it up to 39-40 (40 is the max). It is completely distortion free, but not nearly loud enough. Soundgate recommended that I purchase their line level attentuator (AVM2):

http://www.logjamelectronics.com/sounsnavm2.html

which I am considering.

fjtorres

You might try the Boostaroo in line amp. It runs off a AA battery and provides three headphone jacks for output. Used with a single output it can do a good job of boosting headphone-level outputs.
Its about $30.
Radio Shack carries it, among other places.
They also carry a $25 phone-pre-amp that uses RCA jacks; I haven't tried it with anything but a turntable but it should do the job for you. It runs off a 9V battery.

And, yes, the volume through the aux line-in is a bit lower than the built-in CD player but, remember, you're feeding the line-in a signal meant for headphones.

Me, I have no real problem; my digital jukebox fills the car at a level of 25-30 with the player set to the same level I normally listen to on the headphones; about 80% of MAX.

As always, your milleage may vary... :-)

e_lectro

Logjam either does not understand your problem or does not care. Their attenuator will not fix your problem. An attenuator can only reduce volume, not boost it. It would take a device like the one fjtorres mentioned or one of the line drivers from www.davidnavone.com

This should be exactly what you want: http://www.davidnavone.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=N-64

TSXChef

I decided to try BOOSTAROO product so I could increase my volume output with SNH3. I don't particularly like messing around with factory wires so this is the next best thing.

It was $22 and I guess it does an okay job. You can hear little bit of distortion on a slow-classical songs at high volume, but otherwise it's pretty good. I would recommend using rechargeable batteries with it though...

- Before Boostaroo: car volume had to be around 25-30 with windows-down.
- After Boostaroo: car volume is around 10-20 with windows-down. (switching from radio to CDC is much more accommodating at this volume level

elduderino

I would try a Phoenix Gold PLD 22.

x911gt2

Second that.

fdl

Are you sure your not using the headphone-out jack instead of a true "line-out"? This will result in much lower volume which is controled by the volumes on both your mp3 player and the car stereo.

x911gt2

Correction: It's actually the Phoenix Gold TLD22 not PLD.

TSXChef

Unlike most CD based MP3 players that has seperate "Line-Out", Creative Labs ZenXtra MP3 player that I have only has "Headphone-Out". If I understand your comment correctly.

Yes, I think true "Line-Out" would have better amplified sound as compared to "Headphone-Out".

xaznperswaesonx

do they make a SNHOND3 for output?