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OK folks, here's my next dilemma that hopefully someone can help me with.
I have an older alpine deck (CDA-9885) with the old AI-NET plug in the back (used for the old CD changers, remember those) I have got an AI-net cord with RCA in (female) plugs on the end so I can add a JL audio Bluetooth unit to it, but, what I would really like to do is find out if there is something along the lines of a "digital" music changer that I could plug into this port to use a USB thumb drive as the "changer"?
It seems that at some point I have heard of this elusive animal. Alpine used to make one at some time in the past, but it was expensive, and reviews were crap.
Trying to put new tech on an old system never turns out well. JMHO. New decks are so inexpensive, I can't see the benefit of trying to mod and piece together a "hack" for an older system to put new tech to it. Plus there will be little to no tech support. If you're a techy type and have lots of free time and want to do it just to do it, I say go for it. For me time is money. I can slap a new Kenwood in for well under $200, and it has all the features I want, done!
Does that head unit support steering wheel control? If it doesn't that would definitely be a no in my book.
Yup, will support steering wheel, Bluetooth, and USB, but they are add ons. It's not a "hack" as the unit has the controls built in. I like the direct ipod link on this unit. If I can't get an add on, it aint gonna hurt my feelings. The sound quality is incredible so I don't wanna screw with that. I can get a good JL audio Bluetooth music only for about $40 so I may go that way just as an option, but I know I saw the USB direct connect to changer port, just cant remember.
Thanks! I looked at the Alpine unit, but no one has anything good to say about it. The gromaudio unit looks good, but it looks like it's for use on oem stereos. I'm gonna contact them and verify.
Thanks! I looked at the Alpine unit, but no one has anything good to say about it. The gromaudio unit looks good, but it looks like it's for use on oem stereos. I'm gonna contact them and verify.
Thanks for the info!
No problem. It intrigued me, the idea of adding a USB reader to a head unit with cd changer controls. I started looking into what was available. I could add one to my jeep, since the CD changer is junk. Plus I would love to run an older Eclipse head unit (loved those back in the day), but lack of USB and Bluetooth is a killer. If I come across something more universal I'll report back.
then of course if you get desperate, you could always create your own with a little imagination and about $30 in parts.
Thanks for all of the information UN! Once again you come through on the difficult questions. I'm intrigued by your final statement. What do you figure it would take to create this? I have an AI-Net plug already that I can use.
Last edited by Sturgis67; Aug 17, 2016 at 10:40 AM.
to be honest, even with my experience I wouldn't fool with it. One wrong touch of a soldering iron or wire and you've not only toasted whatever cable you've connected but likely the entire AI-NET internals. Too many readily accessible products on the market for a little-of-nothing to deal with the headaches of this.
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adding USB to a non USB head unit?
