[s-cars] External Audio Sources

[Kirby Smith]

Although I've never tested examples of either type of system, I'm
surprised by the reviewers opinions.  An FM interface system should be
able to match the quality of a good (not overmodulated) FM station,
i.e., flat to 15 kHz with excellent signal to noise and low distortion.
I've never been in a vehicle that was so quiet that the deficiencies of
FM would be apparent.

On the other hand, to simulate a tape, the interface device must
generate a field at the tape head that provides a stereo magnetic field
to a pair of very closely separated extremely narrow gaps.  It also has
to have the spectral properties of magnetic tape so the tape circuitry
equalization is correctly compensated.  And, harder to achieve I would
guess, a means of generating the magnetic field so the pickup distortion
is low.  Cassette tapes systems have inherently more distortion than FM,
although they can get to 20 kHz with the proper tape materials.

I would expect that for equal quality, the FM interface approach would
be easier to implement, or conversely, for a given price point, the FM
interface approach would provide higher quality.  Perhaps the available
tape interface systems have more attention to quality than the available
FM interface systems.  I would be interested in an explanation if anyone
knows one.

kirby

"Robin St.Clair" wrote:
>
> --
> [ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
>
> Guys
>
> For another project I have been looking at ways of integrating an MP3 player into the Audi Audio System. In the course of getting to the point where I have figured out 2 viable ways of proceeding, I have come across reviews of several in-car kits.
>
> There appears to be two 'quick and dirty' approaches. One is to use the FM tuner and the other is to have an interface that behaves like a tape cassette and is inserted into the cassette player. Well the unanimous opinion of reviewers is that the FM interface is markedly inferior in terms of sound quality. So all of you considering this route, check out the quality before buying.
>
> >From next year, AOA will be selling new cars with interfaces for the satellite systems
>
> HTH
>
> R+C
>
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