CDs? Never!

Guys, if you have a Z without NAV, but do have Sattelite-ready radio, there is a simple and elegant option to get full music functionality from your iPod and/or iPhone. Do yourself a favor and look into getting a module from USA-Spec or a similar manufacturer.

The module was about $160 installed. It's a tiny box that is mounted behind your factory stereo. I had them run a cable w/ iPod connector to the center console.

The unit charges the iPhone/iPod, song and artist information are displayed on the head unit and it has worked seamlessly for over a year for me. Sattelite functionality IS retained - you don't lose it by going this route.

My only nitpicky complaint is that you can't skip tracks using the steering wheel controls (volume works fine).

Just throwing this out there. :tiphat:

I've never used the CD changer, I have a 16GB flashdrive in the USB slot...I'm going to experiment with a 500GB portable HDD later in the spring.

Whoa! Dad, did you create an account on the forum with the screen name "Dwight Frye"?

I'm sorry but this is a crock. My dad has said the exact same thing and I know for a fact he has never actually A/B'd a recording on a CD and an MP3. He is simply parroting back something someone told him or he heard somewhere. Even if he is partially right, it has nothing to do with the compression of the storage format, it has to do with the compression done in the production of the music. Seriously, look up "Loudness War" on Wikipedia. It's really nerdy but it explains what you're hearing.

The main reason this is a crock is that the sound fidelity on a car stereo, especially when road/wind/engine noise is factored in (not to mention that you're sitting inside a metal can), is not close to high enough to discern the difference between a CD and a properly done MP3 recording. You would need a proper, quiet room and audiophile components to do this.

The other thing is that people made this EXACT SAME argument when CD's came out in the 80's. All the purists claimed that you could hear the difference between a sampled, discreet recording and a continuous sound wave generated on a vinyl LP.

I agree.

Maybe back in the day when storage constraints made for very low bitrate MP3's. I play my high bitrate songs through my home stereo and I can't tell the difference.

And I don't find the Z to be THAT noisy inside...

never used it!!!!!

And they were right. That's why I stick to vinyl in my Z courtesy of Phillips

http://www.vintagebus.com/gallery/se...image/1269.JPG

Another big problem with those early MP3 is that it was the heyday of Napster and many of the files were not professionally encoded or the source material was really questionable (like the radio). The levels were always jacked up on those early MP3's and they were at low bitrates due to the slow internet connections available and the size of storage media. If you go to iTunes or Amazon now and buy an MP3, the sound quality is just fine.

:eek2: youve got to be kidding :icon18:

Yes I do but one at a time

I'd actually like to install a 8-track player in my car...so retro!

Ca-chunk Ca-chunk Ca-chunk...

Bumping the poll for morz results!

Looking like 80/20 for no CD's.

My slot is still virginal.

Me too. Haven't placed a disk in there since driving it home.

If you have USB use it . It will sound a lot better
Than using the aux cable

I haven't used the CD player once.

I just changed to a head unit that doesn't even have a CD player... Media receiver FTW!

:tup:

never put a disc in yet. all ipod here. however can we also add to the discussion how many people use the aux cord or have put in the ipod controler into their systems.
I have the Bose w/o factory nav

i use the aux cord but i have been thinking about doing the controller so i dont have to mess with the ipod and can leave it in the glove box.
anyone with opinions??

Never had a CD in there either. Once the free XM ran out I started using the AUX and iPhone with Pandora. Sucks that Pandora has commercials now.

I use my CD player every day.

all 6 slots taken up.

2009 model so no harddrive and no ipod.

FML

HD comes with the NAV package, not newer years.

I have the NAV pack. I Do NOT have the HDD I only have a 6 slot CD-player

^^ Euro version must be different then

Do any of you guys have it set up for your ipod where it comes out the back of your head unit and the ipon can be concealed in your glove box? Obviously an aftermarket head unit though.

That's the one thing I dislike about my Z---that aux port on the dash so that the cable is so visible in the front of the car. In most other cars, the aux port is concealed. My Altima coupe is the same as my base Z. Very messy. Can't imagine that there's a reason why it had to be done that way.

My aux/USB port is in the little compartment behind the E-brake -- it must be a Nav upgrade or something..

Pandora on my iPhone only

Ah, bummer. Must be a Euro spec issue. We get the HD with in the 09's.

So they added the HDD on the 2010's and later in Europe?

I still like the fact in the states, there is no NAV option at all for the 40th.

Nissan does some weird things with the configs across country lines...

yeah. they added the HDD,touchscreen,IPOD/USB,DVD in the 2010. sucks since the 2009 GT-R does have those.

furious I was.

I don't really care about the HDD,DVD and touchscreen but I wanted my ipod to connect to the car. 6 CDs are fine and all but I cant be bothered burning new CDs so im always listening to the same music.

sure I have a AUX connection but no way in hell am I going to controll a Ipod while driving.

especially since the connector is in the storage space behind the E-brake.

the 40th edition over here does have NAV. kinda wanted it but meh the loss I would get on my Z would not be worth it.

kind of want to ask for advice on the audio section but I am afraid il get raped by guys going "SEARCH FUNCTION LOLOLOL"

Dang, we got all that in the 09. Although the ipod hookup with nav in the 09's sucks.

In my Infiniti, yes. In my 'vette, XM. I don't even know if the CD player works for certain. Never tried it. I need to buy an iPod or interface cable for my android or something, though.

No I listen to booooooost