Cabling question for car receiver

[TallBill]

I have an alpine CDA-9827 just sitting in my apartment from an old car that I never bothered installing in my 2001 Crown Victoria.

Anyways, I'm considering purchasing a Zune mp3 player, but the key factor is that I must get it to work in my car, and I'd prefer not to use an FM transmitter. (although I would consider just unplugged my antennae from the factory deck.)

I haven't installed a receiver in like 5 years. According to crutchfield I'll have to buy:

Dash Receiver Kit - $20
Wiring Harness - $13
DIN tools $5
Crimp Tool - $10

So about $50 just to install the deck. Pricey, but cheaper then buying a new deck. Looks like there is a gap in the dash kit that would let me run a wire(s) out to the Zune. The harness looks 10x easier then the one for my older car, a 1995 Crown Victoria.

Then my next question is, do I want to get a
Ai-Net to RCA connector or a Ai-Net to 3.5 mm connector?

If I get the RCA connector, obviously I'll have to then buy the RCA cables. But I'm wondering if the 3.5mm cable will put out the same sound? If so, I'm all for it as I have no other current need for the zune to RCA output cables, unless I want to hook it up to a friends stereo somewhere.

 

[herm0016]

not sure about the install, but the signal in the rca connector is the same as the 3.5mil connector. there is no difference.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: herm0016
not sure about the install, but the signal in the rca connector is the same as the 3.5mil connector. there is no difference.

Well that's good, less cables to deal with.

 

[cheesehead]

Originally posted by: herm0016
not sure about the install, but the signal in the rca connector is the same as the 3.5mil connector. there is no difference.

Not quite. The headphone jack can do much higher output levels - such as those needed for headphones - but there's a much higher noise floor. If you can get a dock with line output, that would be very much preferable.

 

[herm0016]

Originally posted by: Cheesehead

Originally posted by: herm0016
not sure about the install, but the signal in the rca connector is the same as the 3.5mil connector. there is no difference.

Not quite. The headphone jack can do much higher output levels - such as those needed for headphones - but there's a much higher noise floor. If you can get a dock with line output, that would be very much preferable.

i thought the zune did not have a line out... whoops.

cheese is right, a line out is good, but you can use the headphone out also.