jazzymt

Hi Tom, The low volume is usually attributed to using a headphone jack instead of a true line level output. That's why I always recommend people to use a docking cable. If you're not using an iPod and there isn't a docking cable available for your device, your only other option is to use a pre-amp to boost the volume. PAC audio makes a couple decent pre-amps. You can also use a headphone amplifier as a pre-amp. Boostaroo and some other vendors make decent pre-amps, but then you have to power it with batteries usually . I'd recommend the PAC Turbo X pre-amp - that's what I used for awhile when I got my 2nd XM Radio setup & it was much quieter than my first install.

Hey guys - just a little update - I'm shipping every few days right now trying to stay on top of all orders, but USPS will be dragging their feet by now due to Holiday shipping volume. I'll be packaging orders tonight and shipping everything current out tomorrow and these orders will probably be the last to make it in time for Christmas and maybe already will be late. Any orders that get made after today will almost certainly not make it in time, but I'll try to ship everything out quickly just the same. Happy Holidays everyone & thanks for the continued support.

Yup - everything is in stock.

Zarooo - what kit exactly did you buy and how are you connecting it? What device are you connecting to it? If you have an iPod kit, it's possible you have a partial ground on one of the unused connectors. Are they free to move around or are they tied up somewhere? It's also possible there's just a loose connection somewhere - have you had a chance to check all the plugs? I need a little more info to help troubleshoot it, but I'm sure we can figure it out. Let me know what you have and check the connections if you can. Thanks

Funny - that was the first two things I did to my Outback too - hitch first, then XM. Glad to hear everything went well. Thx for the feedback - I swear, some day I will update the instructions! (gah!)

Hi Guys, Please cut the brown wires off. They are there to provide separate reference grounds to either side of the GLI for outdated studio audio equipment that will freak out without a reference ground. Your car stereo does not need a reference ground. Also - if you connect the two brown wires together, it defeats the purpose of the GLI entirely - so don't do it. Just cut them off. Sorry for the confusion.

Yes - the iPod docking cable is compatible with and will charge the iPhone 3G and 3GS as well as the latest Touch.

It looks like Boostaroo now offers a 12V powered version. Theirs uses headphone-jack type connections. http://www.boostaroo.com/store_detail.php4?id=114

Well - there's several places, I think I might actually have a used one sitting around, but your best bet is probably just ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/PAC-Turbo-X-Line-Driver-Bass-Boost-Signal-Amp-Turbo-X_W0QQitemZ200359332789QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2ea658cbb5&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65:12|66:2|39:1|72:1205|293:1|294:50

Tony, What are you connecting to the aux-in and how? Since you ordered the normal Pro kit, I can only assume you're using the headphone output from something? Unfortunatley headphone output voltages are lower than true line level voltages & will be quieter than normal. There are 3 things you can possibly do: 1) If you have a source that provides a true line level out through some other means (iPod docking cable) - use that. 2) If you have no way to get a true line level output - amplify the signal between the audio source and the aux-in board. You can do this with: a) A headphone amplifier like one that Boostaroo offers. These sound the best IMO, but they run on batteries that you'll have to replace every month or so. b) A line level pre-amp like the PAC Turbo 1, Turbo X or JL Audio CL-RLC. I've tried both and personally prefer the PAC Turbo X - it's cheaper and it sounds better (to me) than the JL Audio version. These are hardwired to the car's power supply.

Benny - yes - I'm one and the same Jazzy. The iPod docking cable is compatible with the Touch & should have plenty of length to allow you to install it in either the armrest cubby or the cubby above the radio. For anyone that's going to be charging their iPod via the car's power system though, I normally recommend also getting a GLI (ground loop interupt) to filter audio noise caused by charging in the car. The Pro iPod kit has the same parts as the kit you linked, plus a ground loop interupt: http://www.jazzyengineering.com/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=47

Yes - the iPod docking cable I sell in the iPod kits is compatible with and will charge the latest iPhone 3G (and AFAIK - the 3GS too). The $78 Pro Kit on this site corresponds to the $73 Pro kit on my site ($78 w/shipping): http://www.jazzyengineering.com/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=44 The difference is the iPod kit includes an iPod docking cable instead of a generic RCA to 1/8" stereo patch cable.

The prices are actually lower on the site for the pro kit, by $2 - or at least they were. I finally fixed the price here on LGT. Otherwise they were all identical - they just look different because I included shipping in the price here & you don't see it on my site until you check out.

Shooting sparks wall lamp might be cause for disqualification... ...that said, I've seen and heard stories of many, many people with absolutely zero experience managing this install without issue. If you're really that uncomfortable though - you should probably enlist the help of a friend. Failing the availability of a friend and in the presence of apocalypse inducing skills - you could also *pay* someone to install it, although honestly - I hear of more problems from "professionals" screwing things up than owners who are complete novices...often, I think they rush it and don't bother to get things right. Take your time - have patience - and anyone can do it.

RipXLGT, All you need to replace is the iPod docking cable with the newer version that supports the iPhone 3G and latest gen Touch. It's available separately on my site here: http://www.jazzyengineering.com/product_info.php?products_id=51

There are so many things that can go wrong taking apart a radio - it's a small miracle that everyone doesn't run into a problem somewhere. That said - I'm doing my best and most people complete the install without issue. The most common causes of an unresponsive CD player after install are: 1) Ribbon cable is not fully inserted, or inserted backwards. This should be a dead giveaway as soon as you plug the radio harness in - if you don't hear the CD changer start up and count all the CD's - it's not getting power & so there's no connection. 2) If the CD changer does start up and it tries to load a CD, but it doesn't work - 100% of the time so far, it's caused by a long screw being inserted where a short screw was...I believe the 4 on the face of the cd changer (with the control circuit board removed) that can cause this problem for Legacy owners and there is a screw on the side of the impreza radio that can cause a similar issue. 3) If it loads the CD and everything seems fine, but you're not hearing any audio - it could be a bad Silent CD. I had several corrupted CD's go out a few weeks ago unknown to me, but luckily this one is also easy to fix - I wrote a walkthru for creating a new silent CD on this site: http://legacygt.com/forums/showpost.php?p=379369&postcount=381 If you can hear the aux-in sound with another music CD playing or with the radio on, then you've definitely got a bad Silent CD. I apologize for the late responses to emails and slower shipping. My new job and longer commute just doesn't give me much free time anymore, but I do care and I am trying. Lastly - I know some people prefer to talk to someone, but my hours available to talk on the phone are very limited and honestly - given a few minutes, most people can figure out the answer to the question without a phone call anyway. Having an email you can come back to and reread is more useful IMO - regardless, it's the best I can offer right now.

McSquish, The problem is that you're using the headphone jack. The headphone jack provides a voltage level that is well below that of a true line level output and that's why it's quieter. If you want an easily swappable 1/8" jack, you could use something like this to connect to the iPod. That way it's a line level output, but you can still swap back and forth: http://www.sendstation.com/us/products/pocketdock/lineout-usb.html

Yep - still making them. PM's replied. To those that had issues with the latest batch of CD's - I apologize for the dead CD's. I think I've resolved the issue for future orders. The burner on my old computer finally died, but it was still pretending to make CD's.

Yes - your kit came with the GLI.

Pro installers often feel the need to connect wires to everything - even if they're not needed. The RCA GLI's PAC sells have two brown wires to connect reference grounds to each side of the GLI if necessary - older audio equipment would sometimes freak out without a reference ground. If he connected the two wires together and wired them to ground though - it completely defeats the purpose of the GLI - which is to isolate the ground of one side from the other. I would open up your dash and see if you can find the GLI - cut the brown wires off & you should be in good shape.

Sounds like ground loop noise to me. Did you purchase a kit with a ground loop isolator? If not - you can just get one at Walmart, Radio Shack, etc...I would try that first. If you have one already, it may not be installed correctly...

Sorry man - I'm not getting PM notifications for some reason. Does the buzz sound vary with your RPM's? It could be alternator noise.

Should work fine.

I'm bummed about so many people having problems with the old PAC iPod cable. I replaced several of them that were defective right off the bat & looked for something else to switch to but came up empty. The new docking cable they're selling (which is quite a bit more expensive for me) is much nicer though and the RCA connections instead of 1/8" stereo jack should be far more reliable over time. No problems with either so far at least. ..Live and learn I suppose - I would never have expected there to be "reliability" issues with the tried and true standard headphone jack. The quality of the old iPod cable from PAC also left a bit to be desired.

Sorry guys - it's been hell week for me. Between work, travel for work & night classes - I haven't been home before 9pm, which would be ok, but I normally get up at 5:30 so I basically go right to bed & mon/tues I got up at 4:30 & 3:30am! to catch a flight. That - and I'm backordered iPod cables...again. Hopefully they'll be here early next week. Other orders (that don't need iPod cables) I will get shipped out before the weekend & should arrive for everyone Monday. I'm trying to work out a deal with PAC so I can get them directly in the future, but they don't make it easy.. Sorry for the wait & thanks for everyone's orders and patience. I'm trying my best for ya. PS. Sorry trademark, but I can't offer any deals on replacement iPod cables. I don't make much on them as it is - I mostly include them in the kits just to make it more convenient for iPod owners to buy the board.