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Add wifi to k5

bp71k5

bp71k5

3/4 ton status
Joined
Mar 31, 2006
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Knoxville, TN 37922
I've been looking for a better way to stream music to my k5 stereo and ran across this method which I'm going to try unless someone else has done it and has a better way? I don't like Bluetooth.
 
I don't see the point personally. Basically you hack an airport so you can wirelessly stream music from your phone to your stereo but the airport is still wired to the stereo via a headphone style cable. Why not just hook the phone straight to the stereo via the same cable ? Just my thoughts on it
 
So with Bluetooth are you not happy with the compressed/degraded audio? Only downside, other than initial investment, in the system you provided a link for is that WiFi can use more power from your phone.
 
That's a lot of work, why not just put in a head unit with a USB port built in?
Then you can play your music and charge your phone at the same time without all of the extra soldering and such.
 
The Bluetooth quality stinks.

The head unit has a USB cable, but I don't want a cable and those won't charge the phone. You also need to use the usually dumb head unit interface to select music instead of the much nicer phone interface.

The "airplay" feature is perfect when I use it in the house, so I'm looking at doing it in the car. I found an "air enabler" gizmo on Amazon and may try that as it's half the cost of the first option.
 
My problem is I have an Alpine system that uses a propritary modbus cable that connects all of their adaptors together....

I have the ones for satellite radio and my ipod that all play thru the head unit.

I have no 1/8 pin connector,, and bluetooth only connects a phone for phone call,, no "smart phone" apps such as pandora etc.

What I have done is pull the RCA cables going into my amps, and use a 1/8 pin to RCA stero cable to plug my smart phone and play pandora that way.

But it only plays thru the 4 way amp and doesn't push any signal into the sub amps... so no boom boom....

sooner or later I'll break down and buy a newer head unit....:mad:
 
I run a newer Alpine in mine and hooked through the AUX port it answers calls, streams Pandora (which is so handy) and I use my phone screen to change songs as long as headunit is on AUX. Mine also has a USB that can charge my phone, link to the head unit, and do Apple products as well. I like your idea, I just think you may be over thinking it a bit.
 
Not overthinking it...it's just the head unit is an older alpine and does not have an aux port or usb port. The older head units used modbus, which forced you to buy their adaptor boxes to connect anything to the head unit. Then the boxes daisychained together with the modbus cable. Believe me...it was state of the art whence I bought it several years ago. I would just be happy if it had a 1/8" pin connector or usb...
 
bp71k5 said:
I've been looking for a better way to stream music to my k5 stereo and ran across this method which I'm going to try unless someone else has done it and has a better way? I don't like Bluetooth.
Click to expand...

Hmmmm.....

My K5 stereo is AM only..... and if we're being precise it's not even stereo, it's mono. :D

I do like this idea, and I've got an AirPlay sitting around here doing nothing...maybe I'll give it a shot some evening instead of watching TV.



-G
 
Once again, why don't you just get a better radio (or phone) with the features you want rather than spending so much time and money upgrading the old one.
 
Ive hooked up 2 air play units like that, one with the old style airport, one with the new style.

Its REALLY hard to get rid of power signal interference. Sometimes they work ok, sometimes they suck.

I'd go for a receiver with good integrated bluetooth, and be done with it.
 
Not sure if the replies are all for me, but I use a pretty new deck and a brand new phone. I've been running a decent Bluetooth adaptor, and the sound quality is pretty poor and it just died on me. When I use all 800 watts of amplifier, it's poor AND loud. I use the 1/8 plug because of the "poor"-ness but I don't want the wire. So my ideal solution is wireless and it can't be Bluetooth. I may have a $25 option coming from a coworker overseas which is similar to the airport.
 
bp71k5 said:
Is be especially interested in any pointers in that area you might have.
Click to expand...


Definitely get the new version you don't have to cut open with a hacksaw.

Makes the wiring/soldering actually possible.

Besides that, they work as people describe. I did the mod on the airport unit, but didn't actually install it in the boat, so no real feedback there.

Make sure you have Clean power feeding it. Best of luck
 
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