Philips cassette adapter for iPod - quality is a nice surprise
#1
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Soundgate TOYPD2 (was: Philips cassette adapter for iPod - quality is a nice surprise
I've been thinking about a dedicated iPod integration unit like the Vaistech but am a bit reluctant to pull apart my lovely dash. In the meantime I decided to try the Philips PH2050W cassette adapter that gets rave reviews everywhere, and what a pleasant surprise it is!
I picked one up - at Wal*Mart of all places - for under $10. I'm a bit of an audio geek and make the highest quality MP3s I'm able. I'm not a fan of any lossy format, and portable sound is a bit of a lost cause for me anyway, though I find the 430's stock system truly excellent for what it is. I figured I'd be quite disappointed, but for under $10 it was worth a shot.
To my astonishment, the sound quality vastly exceeds what I ever thought possible from one of these adapters. I had to fiddle with the iPod volume a bit at first (80% seems optimal) and the cleanliness, dynamics, and frequency response are quite good. In some cases I even prefer the sound through the adapter over a burned CD in the car's player.
Sure there's a cable to deal with, there's no track control from the wheel, etc. but I'm happy enough with the sound that I doubt I'll be tearing apart my dash anytime soon to improve the experience.
Highly recommended!
I picked one up - at Wal*Mart of all places - for under $10. I'm a bit of an audio geek and make the highest quality MP3s I'm able. I'm not a fan of any lossy format, and portable sound is a bit of a lost cause for me anyway, though I find the 430's stock system truly excellent for what it is. I figured I'd be quite disappointed, but for under $10 it was worth a shot.
To my astonishment, the sound quality vastly exceeds what I ever thought possible from one of these adapters. I had to fiddle with the iPod volume a bit at first (80% seems optimal) and the cleanliness, dynamics, and frequency response are quite good. In some cases I even prefer the sound through the adapter over a burned CD in the car's player.
Sure there's a cable to deal with, there's no track control from the wheel, etc. but I'm happy enough with the sound that I doubt I'll be tearing apart my dash anytime soon to improve the experience.
Highly recommended!
Last edited by thinkin; 09-10-10 at 05:52 AM.
#2
I've been thinking about a dedicated iPod integration unit like the Vaistech but am a bit reluctant to pull apart my lovely dash. In the meantime I decided to try the Philips PH2050W cassette adapter that gets rave reviews everywhere, and what a pleasant surprise it is!
I picked one up - at Wal*Mart of all places - for under $10. I'm a bit of an audio geek and make the highest quality MP3s I'm able. I'm not a fan of any lossy format, and portable sound is a bit of a lost cause for me anyway, though I find the 430's stock system truly excellent for what it is. I figured I'd be quite disappointed, but for under $10 it was worth a shot.
To my astonishment, the sound quality vastly exceeds what I ever thought possible from one of these adapters. I had to fiddle with the iPod volume a bit at first (80% seems optimal) and the cleanliness, dynamics, and frequency response are quite good. In some cases I even prefer the sound through the adapter over a burned CD in the car's player.
Sure there's a cable to deal with, there's no track control from the wheel, etc. but I'm happy enough with the sound that I doubt I'll be tearing apart my dash anytime soon to improve the experience.
Highly recommended!
I picked one up - at Wal*Mart of all places - for under $10. I'm a bit of an audio geek and make the highest quality MP3s I'm able. I'm not a fan of any lossy format, and portable sound is a bit of a lost cause for me anyway, though I find the 430's stock system truly excellent for what it is. I figured I'd be quite disappointed, but for under $10 it was worth a shot.
To my astonishment, the sound quality vastly exceeds what I ever thought possible from one of these adapters. I had to fiddle with the iPod volume a bit at first (80% seems optimal) and the cleanliness, dynamics, and frequency response are quite good. In some cases I even prefer the sound through the adapter over a burned CD in the car's player.
Sure there's a cable to deal with, there's no track control from the wheel, etc. but I'm happy enough with the sound that I doubt I'll be tearing apart my dash anytime soon to improve the experience.
Highly recommended!
#3
Yes, I mentioned this in CarGuy89's thread the other day. The quality of that Philips cassette adapter (which I currently am using) is really amazing for such a cheap piece of plastic you can buy at WM.
However the funny part is that me and my room mate have spent that same 10.00 probably 10 times over in lost adapters or adapters we have left in traded or sold cars. I think that cassette adapter is probably all that keeps Philips in business these days.
However the funny part is that me and my room mate have spent that same 10.00 probably 10 times over in lost adapters or adapters we have left in traded or sold cars. I think that cassette adapter is probably all that keeps Philips in business these days.
#6
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Poor quality
First things first, I drive a 1995 Mitsubishi 3000gt with a stock 1995 stereo deck. For the last year i've used a cassette adaptor from like 2006. Its had the best quality of any adaptor i've used so far. Im on this forum because im trying to find a new adaptor (my good one has to have the cable in JUST the right spot to get door speakers.) So far all the aux cable and cassette adaptors ive bought either A. Had too much bass. or B. Didn't play through my door speakers. I'm hoping someone on here might have an answer for me?
#7
First things first, I drive a 1995 Mitsubishi 3000gt with a stock 1995 stereo deck. For the last year i've used a cassette adaptor from like 2006. Its had the best quality of any adaptor i've used so far. Im on this forum because im trying to find a new adaptor (my good one has to have the cable in JUST the right spot to get door speakers.) So far all the aux cable and cassette adaptors ive bought either A. Had too much bass. or B. Didn't play through my door speakers. I'm hoping someone on here might have an answer for me?
I can tell you that the other good one is Sony. The Sony's are available on Amazon for between 12 and 15.00 shipped.
The WORST are HP and Insignia.
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#8
Lead Lap
iTrader: (3)
i tried about 7or more different brands of these adapters(Belkin, Monster, Sony,Philips etc.) . Sadly i dont remember the model of Philips i had but it was on same level as those walmart brands for $3. Sucked.
best ones were Sony 9c and 7c i believe. other brands kept ejecting themselves after a few tracks but Sony was the best sounding and most reliable.
best ones were Sony 9c and 7c i believe. other brands kept ejecting themselves after a few tracks but Sony was the best sounding and most reliable.
#10
Lexus Champion
I've been thinking about a dedicated iPod integration unit like the Vaistech but am a bit reluctant to pull apart my lovely dash. In the meantime I decided to try the Philips PH2050W cassette adapter that gets rave reviews everywhere, and what a pleasant surprise it is!
I picked one up - at Wal*Mart of all places - for under $10. I'm a bit of an audio geek and make the highest quality MP3s I'm able. I'm not a fan of any lossy format, and portable sound is a bit of a lost cause for me anyway, though I find the 430's stock system truly excellent for what it is. I figured I'd be quite disappointed, but for under $10 it was worth a shot.
To my astonishment, the sound quality vastly exceeds what I ever thought possible from one of these adapters. I had to fiddle with the iPod volume a bit at first (80% seems optimal) and the cleanliness, dynamics, and frequency response are quite good. In some cases I even prefer the sound through the adapter over a burned CD in the car's player.
Sure there's a cable to deal with, there's no track control from the wheel, etc. but I'm happy enough with the sound that I doubt I'll be tearing apart my dash anytime soon to improve the experience.
Highly recommended!
I picked one up - at Wal*Mart of all places - for under $10. I'm a bit of an audio geek and make the highest quality MP3s I'm able. I'm not a fan of any lossy format, and portable sound is a bit of a lost cause for me anyway, though I find the 430's stock system truly excellent for what it is. I figured I'd be quite disappointed, but for under $10 it was worth a shot.
To my astonishment, the sound quality vastly exceeds what I ever thought possible from one of these adapters. I had to fiddle with the iPod volume a bit at first (80% seems optimal) and the cleanliness, dynamics, and frequency response are quite good. In some cases I even prefer the sound through the adapter over a burned CD in the car's player.
Sure there's a cable to deal with, there's no track control from the wheel, etc. but I'm happy enough with the sound that I doubt I'll be tearing apart my dash anytime soon to improve the experience.
Highly recommended!
The Vaistech provides it all. You can tuck a 160 GB iPod in you glovebox (no external wires) and access it thru the dash and steering wheel controls. You don't have to touch the iPod. It will be charged when the car is on, responds when accessed, remembers when it was when you quit, and you virtually forget it's there until you want to remove and add/change music.
By using playlists, you can see the title of each CD and each song as it plays.
This is truly a worthy addition to this car and very professionally done. Couldn't live without it.
#11
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Join Date: May 2003
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TOYPD2/LEXPD2 by Soundgate (VAIS SoundLinQ SL2i-UP)
It's the best $75 you'll ever spend on the LS430!
http://www.mp3carpros.com/product_in...products_id=87
It's the best $75 you'll ever spend on the LS430!
http://www.mp3carpros.com/product_in...products_id=87
#12
TOYPD2/LEXPD2 by Soundgate (VAIS SoundLinQ SL2i-UP)
It's the best $75 you'll ever spend on the LS430!
http://www.mp3carpros.com/product_in...products_id=87
It's the best $75 you'll ever spend on the LS430!
http://www.mp3carpros.com/product_in...products_id=87
I will let you all know how it turns out.
#13
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It only takes about 30 minutes to install!
http://www.pro-fit-intl.com/Adobe/LX-52-01-p1.pdf
http://www.sound-repair.com/index.ph...-instructions/
http://www.pro-fit-intl.com/Adobe/LX-52-01-p1.pdf
http://www.sound-repair.com/index.ph...-instructions/
#14
Moderator
I just ordered one also - seemed like a reasonable deal. $81 dollars shipped. I will post a review once I have it installed and up an running in my car. Looks like installation basically comprises taking the radio out and then plugging in a single cable connector into an open port on the back of the radio - should be relatively straight forward...we'll see. Its silly that Toyota did not provide a simple accessible ipod port on these cars but included a cassette player in 2006. Our 2007 Highlander Limited also has a cassette player but no ipod port. Talk about pre-planned obsolescence...this seems more an example of unplanned obsolescence.
Last edited by Jabberwock; 09-04-10 at 04:56 PM.
#15
I just ordered one also - seemed like a reasonable deal. $81 dollars shipped. I will post a review once I have it installed and up an running in my car. Looks like installation basically comprises taking the radio out and then plugging in a single cable connector into an open port on the back of the radio - should be relatively straight forward...we'll see. Its silly that Toyota did not provide a simple accessible ipod port on these cars but included a cassette player in 2006. Our 2007 Highlander Limited also has a cassette player but no ipod port. Talk about pre-planned obsolescence...this seems more an example of unplanned obsolescence.
I am still stoked about the ability to control my tracks from the steering wheel though! But you know what, I bet you sound quality itself, won't improve much if at all. I will eat my words if it does, but man does it sound good already.