Intro
There's a lot of information on the forums regarding USB, Aux-in and ipod connectivity add-ons for the various head units shipped with Subaru Liberties. This thread aims to bring all of the information together in one easy to reference place. If you have something to add, please refer to the second post of this thread for the details you'll need to provide. If you can fill in any blanks on existing information, please do.
I provide no guarantee or warranty on this information; I'm simply providing references to information other people have posted. Only posts which confirm a given unit does or does not work will be referenced.
Please note that the fact a given unit works for one model year's head unit does not guarantee that it will work for a subsequent year's head unit. Also note that many of the units (anycarlink, xcarlink, advanced ice) are of reasonably cheap construction and each option has its flaws.
What would I do?
I take no responsibility for anything you buy or do; be aware that all options have their own caveats and come with some risk that they won't work. Do your own research; read the below information and don't trust anything said by me alone! All of these units have their own shortcomings; read what other people have posted and keep this in mind. The following however is what I would buy for myself if I read the below details on the various options...
MY04-07 McIntosh:
Anycarlink (confirmed with MY05-07 so far)
Advanced Ice/MCARCDC (confirmed on MY05, MY06, MY08)
MY08 McIntosh:
Grom IPD-3
Advanced Ice/MCARCDC (no track changing via HU/SWC on MY08)
Parrot MKi9200 + harness (or similar option)
Subaru AUX input jack (if ipod control/connectivity isn't a desire and normal aux in is sufficient.)
Belkin Aircast Auto (requires aux in to be present)
Kenwood:
Kenwood KCA-iP500
Grom IPD-3
Why I wouldn't choose the other options:
xcarlink: works great where it works, but too much inconsistency - a few people have had problems with them
FSL-21: quality appears good but it's just an aux in jack - no steering wheel controls etc
Axxess AIP-CL-ID: no control from steering wheel, a few failures and in some instances, head unit damage has resulted
Clarion EA1251: requires a stupid 5 playlist setup; can't select tracks on the ipod itself
Other options: pretty much just provides an aux in like the FSL-21.
Detailed Options
Anycarlink AL-1080A/B/C/D
Status: confirmed
Inputs: ipod/USB/SD/3.5mm aux/bluetooth (B & C model) depending on model
Confirmed compatible with head units (Market-MY-Model):
AUDM 04 McIntosh [1 2]
AUDM 05 McIntosh [1 2 3]
AUDM 06 McIntosh - 3.5mm didn't work [1 2 3]
AUDM 07 McIntosh [1 2 3]
Confirmed incompatible with head units:
AUDM 08 McIntosh [1 2]
Confirmed compatible with input devices:
iphone ?? incl. charging [1]
Confirmed incompatible with input devices:
some ipod touch models [1]
Supports steering wheel controls: yes [1]
Provides information to HU display: will display the track info on the HU if you set it to ADVANCED- But this also locks the iPod app so you can’t change songs on it. [1]
The BASIC mode which it ships out in leaves the iPod app unlocked- but doesn’t show track info
Requires playlists: likely in USB/SD mode - unconfirmed. Not required in ipod mode.
May get ipod stuck in 'pause' mode when car is switched off then on again - ipod needs to be manually taken out of pause. [1 2 3]
Does not pause ipod when car is turned off but will if input source is changed before switching off [2]
Slightly slow to respond to track changes on some HU's. Very slow to change tracks on large files (14MB+). [1]
Good sound quality but low voice call quality. [1]
Sound can be crackly at high volume levels in ipod mode but may be ipod eq settings [1]
Sellers: Current Electronics (NZ)
Notes:
Press DISC twice to switch to ipod input.
Press RPT twice to switch input on anycarlink to AUX.
Grom IPD-3
Status: confirmed
Inputs: ipod. bluetooth & aux in as optional add-on.
Confirmed compatible with head units (MY-Model):
AUDM 06 Kenwood GX-203KH [1]
AUDM 08 McIntosh [1 2]
Confirmed incompatible with head units:
Confirmed compatible with input devices:
ipod, exact models unconfirmed
Confirmed incompatible with input devices: n/a
Supports steering wheel controls: yes
Provides information to HU display: with ipod connection yes, with bluetooth no
Requires playlists: unknown
Sellers:
Cushie Audio
Current Electronics (NZ)
Notes:
Notes specific to bluetooth option:
Streams audio via Bluetooth, phone calls crisp and clear [1]
Steering wheel controls work to Answer / reject calls [1]
Auto answer of phone when switching input [1]
Advanced Ice 15006/MCARCDC Subaru/Suzuki Portable Music Integration System
Status: confirmed
Inputs: unconfirmed
Confirmed compatible with head units (MY-Model):
AUDM 05 McIntosh [1]
AUDM 06 McIntosh [1]
AUDM 08 McIntosh [1]
Confirmed incompatible with head units: unknown
Confirmed compatible with input devices:
iphone 4 incl. charging [1]
ipod touch gen?? incl. charging [1]
Confirmed incompatible with input devices: n/a
Supports steering wheel controls:
On MY05-06, yes, plus can control from ipod as well [1].
On MY08, no. [1 2]
Provides information to HU display: No [1]
Requires playlists: unconfirmed. may behave differently between ipod and USB/SD modes.
Sellers: Advanced Ice
Notes:
Does auto-pause when you turn key off or select radio, but it seems to get confused if you then remove the paused source and try to switch back to it. [1]
xcarlink (Suzuki model)
Status: confirmed
Inputs: ipod, 3.5mm aux in socket, bluetooth support (optional)
Confirmed compatible with head units (MY-Model):
AUDM 05 McIntosh [1 2]
Confirmed incompatible with head units:
AUDM 07 McIntosh [1]
AUDM 08 McIntosh [1]
Other MY05 & MY06 users have had issues despite the unit sometimes being compatible (with both usb and ipod variants)[1 2]
Confirmed compatible with input devices:
ipod touch gen2 incl. charging
Confirmed incompatible with input devices: n/a
Supports steering wheel controls: yes, plus can control from ipod as well [1]
Provides information to HU display: no
Requires playlists: no, but playlists supported in similar fashion to Clarion EA1251 unit if desired
Sellers: Sydney Installers
Notes:
May leave display artefacts
Large file playback on USB model may be slow [1]
FSL-21
Status: confirmed
Inputs: dual aux in (2x RCA per input)
Confirmed compatible with head units (Market-MY-Model):
JDM 03-05 McIntosh [1 2]
AUDM 06 McIntosh [1]
Confirmed incompatible with head units: none
Confirmed compatible with input devices: n/a
Confirmed incompatible with input devices: n/a
Supports steering wheel controls: no - control from input device
Provides information to HU display: no
Requires playlists: n/a - aux in only
Sellers: unknown
Notes:
Axxess AIP-CL-ID
Status: confirmed
Inputs: ipod + 3.5mm plug for aux in (some units don't seem to ship with 3.5mm plug)
Confirmed compatible with head units (Market-MY-Model):
AUDM 04 McIntosh [1 2 3]
AUDM 05 McIntosh [1]
AUDM 06 McIntosh [1 2]
Confirmed incompatible with head units: none
Confirmed compatible with input devices:
ipod touch gen2 (but doesn't charge)
charges some ipods
Confirmed incompatible with input devices: n/a
Supports steering wheel controls: no - control from ipod [1 2]
Provides information to HU display: no
Requires playlists: n/a - aux in only
Sellers:
Audio Discounters
onlinecarstereo.com
Notes:
audio output level slightly low
some evidence of possible HU damage though possible early bad batch [1 2 3 4 5]
some other issues [1]
may interfere with iphone 3GS reception [1]
sound quality OK but not perfect [1]
May leave display artefacts
Clarion EA1251
Note there appear to be copies of this unit on eBay and these may not be compatible in all instances
Status: confirmed
Inputs: ipod
Confirmed compatible with head units (Market-MY-Model):
AUDM 05 McIntosh [EA1251B/E - 1 2]
AUDM 06 McIntosh [1 2]
AUDM 08 McIntosh [1]
Confirmed incompatible with head units: none
Confirmed compatible with input devices:
ipod touch (doesn't charge) [1]
ipod nano (does charge) [1]
ipod nano gen3 (does charge) [EA1251B/E - 1]
Confirmed incompatible with input devices: n/a
Supports steering wheel controls: unknown
Provides information to HU display: Yes
Requires playlists: yes - no ability to select specific tracks. 5 playlists supported and must have certain name.
Sellers: unknown
Notes:
Subaru H6210AG100K - AUX Input Jack (LTD ED AVN) for Limited Edition Navigation
Status: confirmed
Inputs: 3.5mm AUX, Video In (?)
Confirmed compatible with head units (Market-MY-Model):
AUDM 08 Kenwood DVD/SaNav/BT [1]
Confirmed incompatible with head units:
Possibly any other models [1]
Confirmed compatible with input devices:
iPod Classic Gen5
iPod Gen6
iPod Nano Gen2
Confirmed incompatible with input devices:
Possible compatibility issue with iPhone 3G
Supports steering wheel controls: No (volume control only)
Provides information to HU display: No
Requires playlists: No
Sellers: Subaru
Notes:
Cost is around $150 - $190. $210 to install from Subaru approx.
Does not charge.
Kenwood KCA-iP500
Information here: viewtopic.php?f=22&t=10056 (if anyone cares enough, can you please provide input to this thread with details as per those for the other units above)
Parrot MKi9200 + McIntosh harness + music lead
Confirmed compatible with head units (Market-MY-Model):
AUDM 08 McIntosh [1 2 3]
Information here: viewtopic.php?f=22&t=15424#p206558
Supports steering wheel controls: No (volume control only) BUT allows track control from parrot control box
Provides information to HU display: No BUT displays track information on parrot LCD
Requires playlists: No
Further information: http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.p ... 63928.html
General non-HU-specific alternatives
Belkin AirCast Auto
Requires aux in on the head unit, or another aux in interface to be present
Supports phone calls & music via bluetooth [1]
Head Unit removal & installation
LostyJai's head unit removal and anycarlink install guide for MY04
More anycarlink install photos
cvas' detailed writeup for the MY07 GT (circular gear shifter surround)
Subaru (choose Publication Type "Accessory Installation Guide" - Find one that covers your model and year. Even though you have the McIntosh, the procedure will be very similar - info from SVXdc)
SuperMoose's Audio Install **Picture Heavy**
DIY: AUX-IN after mount + Center console removal -Legacy 2008