The USB/Aux-in/ipod compatibility superthread

[SegR]

Does the US legacy have a McIntosh option? Maybe they only get the kenwood... or something else entirely.

[ICE_BM]

I am also researching this (along with many other McIntosh owners). I have the supposed MY08 ipod integration adapter H621SXA200 in transit to me from USA but I'm pretty sure now after doing further reading that it won't work on AUDM models. The USDM do not have McIntosh stereos as an option for MY07-08 Outback and Legacy (Liberty), hopefully the AUDM Tribeca use the same stereo as USDM so I can sell the thing once it gets here. Any Tribeca owners out there?

Defintions:
USDM US Domestic Model
AUDM Australian Domestic Model
Legacy is the badge that is fitted to US model cars instead of Liberty

Aux Cable Part numbers (Subaru Australia):
H6210AG000 Aux POD for centre console plus harness to McIntosh Aux port (AU$129)
H6210AG010 as above but updated part number (AU$124), difference from 000 to 010 is unknown by me (anyone else know?)
H6210AG100K as above but for vehicle with factory SATNAV (AU$196)

The AUX pod has a small circuit board in it with a switch that detects something plugged into the socket and shorts out two pins on the back of the McIntosh head unit. This is why the AUX button on the dash does nothing if you don't have the kit installed and a cable plugged into the socket.

I was all set to bite the bullet and buy AG010 until they told me I need 100K, I don't understand the difference but maybe someone else on here does? I guess it must be an extra harness plug to allow the SATNAV to speak when AUX is playing, but hey $196 is beyond the pain threshold! Has anyone compared or tried the cheaper one to see if the 100K is really needed?

My HU is PF-28241 (PF-2824i), my car is MY07/08 3.0 SpecB

I know to be wary of EA1251, EA1276 from ebay that do not have "Clarion" written on them as they are knock offs and probably don't work. The EA1251 seems to be obsolete now (and has the 5 special playlist limitation), the EA1276 looks promising but information about playlist, charging and track display support is sketchy, anyone elaborate?)

I know that anything plugged into the Clarion(Mc) Ce-NET square port is accessed by pressing the CD button multiple times to toggle sources as these devices are pretending to be an external CD changer, whereas things that plug into the AUX port are accessed with the AUX button and will play sound but do not offer any 'integration' of track control and track display.

What I really want is proper ipod/iphone integration (with line level signals, control via the HU, track display on the HU), so now I'm considering the EA1276 or the Advanced ICE 15006 for similar money to the Aux adapter for SATNAV models. Any advice offered?


cheers all...

[SegR]

The only advice I can offer is what's written in the first post of this thread, which I keep reasonably updated. Most of the investigation has been around AUDM 04-06 head units, not 08, though I was surprised to read that apart from the Subaru options, the Advanced Ice model is alleged to work with the MY08 HU.

[ICE_BM]

OK thanks. I have bought the Advanced ICE 15006 just now, will wait until it hits Perth and update with my experience....

Edit 2012-09-20:
I finally tested the advancedice unit, it does NOT work the way I want.
It DOES charge my i-thing (iphone4, ipod touch), curiously even when the key is OFF (like it or not, your choice)
It DOES NOT offer control through the head-unit, only via the ipod controls. Volume is the ONLY HU control that works
It DOES NOT send any track text info to the HU (only CD:01 TRACK:01)

If you are content to control tracks with the ipod then this might be ok for you. Mine will be for sale.

[bigBADbenny]

@ ICE_BM: very interested as I have the same McIntosh.

[cvas]

ICE,
Are you going to try out both the advanced ice and the subaru one from US?

[ICE_BM]

Yes, I will try the US one as well, but my most recent research (after I ordered it) tells me its for the USDM MY07-08 Lib/Leg/OutB, they only have Kenwood units and not Mc, so my guess is that the plug won't even fit into the CD changer port.

So if anyone has a regular MY07+ Kenwood HU, then the US part I ordered might well work on that. Once it gets here I'll take some photos. Chances are it's a re-badged something from a big-name company, will try to ID it better once I have it. It's going to cost me AU$200 landed here, so I will sell it on at cost+postage if anyone is interested. Should be here (Perth) 1st week of July... is also meant to work for a Tribeca (same part number H621SXA200)

[cvas]

Hope u have some luck mate

[jay.ritchie]

The Anycar Link works for MY06 where the Xcarlink didn’t.

[Tim_]

Can you use the steering wheel buttons to change song or volume?

Good news though! Cheers

[Fluf]

BLOODY UNREAL! Your stereo is the same as mine, stoked! Does it charge/steering wheel controls/headunit shows??

[bigBADbenny]

Jay, where did you get your Anycarlink and which model number is it?

[Fluf]

Haha, forums goin OFF!

[jay.ritchie]

Yep, steering wheel controls the tracks, and the iPod isn’t locked so you can still choose songs on that.
Its perfect!
I got it here: http://www.aboutsound.co.nz/iPod.html
hit contact us, send them an email and ask for the clarion version.
Ended up being $130 shipped from NZ in 4 days which is great too

[jay.ritchie]

BLOODY UNREAL! Your stereo is the same as mine, stoked! Does it charge/steering wheel controls/headunit shows??

In the instructions it shows 2 modes, simple and advanced. Simple lets you change song on the iPod but doesn’t show the track name on the HU, and advanced locks the iPod but shows the info on the HU.