Car cassette adaptors

[Dos_Box]

I'm currently using a cheap Asda in-car cassette adaptor to connect with my Pure DAB Highway. The only issue I have is that after about 30 mins the sound gets very quiet and muffled and you have to eject the adaptor and re-insert it. This fixes the problem. I'm pretty sure the issue is because it is a £1.99 el-cheapo version and I'm currently thinking about getting a Sony one for £9.99 from Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-CPA9-AE-Car-cassette-adaptor/dp/B00007EDLW

All I want to know is does anyone have any experience of this problem, and will a better engineered version fix the problem.

[plexer]

What's a cassette?

 

Ben

[Geoff]

I've had the same cassette adapter for about 10 years stuck in the car (I've had the same car for 12). It was a fairly expensive £15 adapter from Halfords but I've had zero issues. So yes. I think you get what you pay for.

[Dos_Box]

The Pure Highway has an FM transmitter built in. The only problem with that is you end up with FM sound. Compared to DAB via the cassette adaptor it's awful @Geoff, cheers, I'll get one next week I think.

[Mcshammer_dj]

how about one of these? or something like it?

 

August CR100 Remote Controlled Car MP3 Player and FM Transmitter with SD/MMC Card Reader & USB Port: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

[Dos_Box]

Erm...It's not a cassette adaptor? Or anything that I need?

The Highway already has an FM transmitter built in. The problem is, compared to DAB audio, FM sounds awful. Hence the adaptor. Via the cassette it sounds very nice indeed. It's just the sound drops off after a while.

[Domino]

The highways got a line out doesn't it? is there not a line in on the back of your head unit?

[Dos_Box]

The highways got a line out doesn't it? is there not a line in on the back of your head unit?

 

It's the line out I'm using for the cassette adaptor (3.5mm jack). I had an iPod adaptor fitted ages ago and asked them to fit a 3.5mm adaptor in with that. They told me they had tried to connect one but the sound level was so low they didn't in the end, and as it's a Lexus all of the audio equipment is ties in with lots of other centre console stuff you don't want to be messing around with.

[pcstru]

I

All I want to know is does anyone have any experience of this problem, and will a better engineered version fix the problem.

 

Tape adapters generally use a write head to generate a modulating magnetic field for the read head in the player. They get muffled and distorted if the two get out of alignment so whether a more expensive unit will fix the problem will depend on which head is getting out of alignment and why. The player head might be loose (a new adapter won't fix that). The mounting mechanism for the cassette itself might be worn and not keeping the body of the cassette rigid (a new adapter won't fix that). Either of these might show up with a normal cassette. If the adapter head is loose a new one may well fix it ... but so might a glob of araldite.

[k-strider]

if your car has a disc changer in the boot you may be able to get a unit that cuts into that i did it in my Jag XJ and when i got my XK the same unit worked in that.. in my case i needed a PIE ALP/Ai-AUX

Walkman MP3 Player installed into my Jaguar XJ 1998 - My Right Wing Agenda

[Oaktech]

I had one of these, and it turned out that my adapter got confused and couldn't handle the auto reverse mech - a more expensive adapter fixed it for me (like Jimmy Saville)

[Dos_Box]

*UPDATE* I got brought a Sony adaptor for Christmas and it has made a huge difference to both the sound quality and volume. So the advice is, if you need a cassette adaptor, spend a few quid more so you don't have to spend twice!

[synaesthesia]

Or buy a better head unit and the relevant loom adapters! (retaining steering wheel and display functions etc)

 

I had this with a cheap and cheerful cassette adapter back in the day - that was 10 years ago though, and replaced it with a CD MP3 unit. Haven't looked back since! (the adapters for wheel controls and dash display cost around 30 quid)

[Dos_Box]

It's a Lexus. You can't swap out the head unit. I have a very nice Alpine head unit waiting for just the opportunity!

[SYNACK]

Its not like its welded in, replacing is always an option.

[Dos_Box]

I would have to swap out all of my climate and touch screen controls as well though:

 

 

I do have an iPod lead fitted and asked about a 3.5mm jack a the same time but they said there were issues with very low volume levels with the 3.5mm that hey couldn't rectify without further outlay. So I decided not too.

[synaesthesia]

Damn, was about to say I've done a fair few Lexus'! (You do computers right? Can you wire a car stereo?) Not seen that one though, ouch Most they've ever needed is a fascia. Would a pre-amp work? (like those battery powered headphone boosters)

[SYNACK]

How about one of these http://www.my-io.com/products/ wires in behind the stereo with its own amp so bypasses it when nessisary.

[Andrew_C]

Sheesh... I've never heard a cassette adaptor come anywhere close to "on tune" FM. Maybe I was unlucky...

[Dos_Box]

*UPDATE* - And a tip!

Until recently my new Sony adapter had been working perfectly, but then the head unit decided to start ejecting the cassette adapter randomly. Sometimes after a few mins, sometimes after a day or so. It turns out this is a common problem and is caused by the build-up of dirt inside the cassette roller mechanism which makes the head unit think the resistance it is encountering is the tape being chewed and spits it out as a safety precaution. There are quite a few vids on YouTube about how to strip down and clean your adapter, but in the Sony's case it is a sealed unit (some are only screwed together), so I'll have to buy a new one .

Anyway, I hope this piece of advice helps someone in the future!