Another iPod/MDI interface question

[Lance B]

Does anyone know what the output voltage is for an iPod so as I can match it to the optimum input voltage level for the MDI interface?

I now have mine set at 0.7Volt but is this the correct input voltage for the iPod? As far as I can tell, there is no info on the iPod that states what the output voltage is of the output, so it is a bit of a hit and miss affair.

When I had the MDI interface installed, they had the input voltage set at the highest 1.5Volt, probably the default setting as a safety feature so that you are less likely to overload the input, but it was always too quiet. It wasn't until I started playing around with the "Setup" for "Media" that I discovered that you could alter the input voltage. Now, thankfully, the output of the iPod more closely matches the radio so that when switching from the iPod to the radio I don't get blasted out of my seat due to the fact that the radio is much louder at the same volume setting as the iPod. Not only that, I can now get the volume up much louder!

I did try the iPod at 0.3volts, but I think it was clipping and sounded a bit distorted with loud passages of music.

[G-rig]

I'm not sure about those settings, but I'd make sure AUX Volume is set to LOW, and also turn down/off the speed dependent volume as that makes is sound worse.

My MDI is fine (besides being a bit slow to navigate through the folders), perhaps there was a problem with it or you had the old parts?

[Lance B]

I'm not sure about those settings, but I'd make sure AUX Volume is set to LOW, and also turn down/off the speed dependent volume as that makes is sound worse.

My MDI is fine (besides being a bit slow to navigate through the folders), perhaps there was a problem with it or you had the old parts?

It sounds fine now that it is set to 0.7volt input and it also sounded fine when it was set to 1.5volt input. It is just that when it was set to 1.5volt input it was very soft when it was at the same volume level when compared to the radio or CD input, ie when switching from one source input to the other. Now that it is set to 0.7volt input it is closer to the radio/CD volume.

The speed dependent volume sounds fine, also.

[G-rig]

Where do you set the voltage input? Couldnt' see it in the RNS510 menus.

[Lance B]

Where do you set the voltage input? Couldnt' see it in the RNS510 menus.

Go to the "Setup" button on the right side of the display and then select the "Media" option.

When in "Media" you will see an option for Aux input level. There will be 3 levels of input voltage, 0.3V, 0.7V and 1.5V. The higher the input voltage is set to, the higher the volume will have to be set to get the same volume as the radio/CD.

[G-rig]

There is basically no point To it though, as every album is recorded at different gains.

[Lance B]

There is basically no point To it though, as every album is recorded at different gains.

Well, not really. They are all recorded at a similar level as they generally want to get the best dynamic range etc, but the fact of the matter is, when I had it set at 1.5volt input, it was way too quiet and every time I switched to another source, like the radio, the volume level would blow me out of the seat. Now that they input is set to 0.7volt input, going from one source to the other closely matches each volume level.

[G-rig]

Yeah just have to chose an average setting but I'm constantly adjusting volume and u can't really avoid that.

In other words you'll only have to adjust it a bit not a lot.

btw. I've got the Rev B firmware on the RNS-510 so it displays as low/med/high, I don't see the voltages but sounded the best with it on low & I don't listen to radio much anyway.

About the speed dependent volume i haven't noticed that it does very much at all.

Edit: Dont really get the thread, sounds like you've fixed the problem anyway.

[Lance B]

Yeah just have to chose an average setting but I'm constantly adjusting volume and u can't really avoid that.

In other words you'll only have to adjust it a bit not a lot.

That was all I was hoping for.

btw. I've got the Rev B firmware on the RNS-510 so it displays as low/med/high, I don't see the voltages but sounded the best with it on low & I don't listen to radio much anyway.

About the speed dependent volume i haven't noticed that it does very much at all.

Edit: Dont really get the thread, sounds like you've fixed the problem anyway.

My initial question was to find out what the actual output voltage was for the iPod. Of course, this is the maximum output voltage, but this should correspond as closely to the input as possible so as it can get the best out of the amplifier with regards to signal to noise ratio and dynamics, etc. If the amp has to be turned up too loud in order to get a reasonable volume level, then you bring noise into play, lesser sound quality and also may not get the loudness required.

[G-rig]

Hmm not sure then, whatever works is the go (non tech answer lol).

I've got after market amps, dont konw if that affects anything.

Anyway i thought ipods were 5v, as some head units wouldn't charge the iphone, but the MDI may do something to it anyway so all assumptions.

[Lance B]

Hmm not sure then, whatever works is the go (non tech answer lol).

I've got after market amps, dont konw if that affects anything.

Anyway i thought ipods were 5v, as some head units wouldn't charge the iphone, but the MDI may do something to it anyway so all assumptions.

I think the 5volt thing is for charging the battery, not the output voltage.

[G-rig]

yes it's good that the mdi charges the ipod 3G, as a lot of head units didn't not long ago.

Try searching google or buy a multimeter?

http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=ipod+output+voltage&btnG=Google+Search&meta=&aq=f&oq=

I don't care as long as it works with no noise.