# ipod to stereo without headphone jack or aux **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 16, 2013, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-to-stereo-without-headphone-jack-or-aux/661130 "2013-06-16T17:47:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![newst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ea5d25/32.png) [@newst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newst)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-to-stereo-without-headphone-jack-or-aux/661130/1 "2013-06-16T17:47:09Z")
Hiya i have just brought a stereo thats fab it does all stuff ineed eg records tapes cds to mp3 stick so on, sadly one job it cant seem to do is play my ipod. This it the stereo [http://www.hifi-tower.co.uk/Soundmaster-MCD-7400-Compact-Hifi-Stereo-CD-USB-MP3-Player\_i4136.htm](http://www.hifi-tower.co.uk/Soundmaster-MCD-7400-Compact-Hifi-Stereo-CD-USB-MP3-Player_i4136.htm) It has no aux no headphone jack big downside ☹ i wanted a stereo to do all, i love audio books can get from library on cd and cassette but cant find a stereo to record and play ipod any suggestions? to either get ipod playing on this stereo or buy speaker dock, but sound is hardly the quality of a stereo is there a way? if not is there anything affordable a bit better than ipod dock set of speaker thx ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-to-stereo-without-headphone-jack-or-aux/661130/2 "2013-06-16T17:53:35Z")
Just about any stereo or electronics store (Radio Shack, Best Buy…) should have the adapter cable that you need. I have one [like this](http://www.auobd2.com/upload/pro/20131/pioneer-cd-rm10-ipod-adapter-cable-1.jpg), which you just connect a standard stereo cable to. I also have a cheaper one (red/white only with no yellow video adapter) that’s three feet long. I’d be surprised if it costs you more than ten bucks. EDIT: The page you linked to in the OP has the cable you need as the first accessory listed! Here’s the direct link to it: [http://www.hifi-tower.co.uk/RCA-to-3-5mm-headphone-jack-cable-1-5m-Length\_i2263.htm](http://www.hifi-tower.co.uk/RCA-to-3-5mm-headphone-jack-cable-1-5m-Length_i2263.htm) ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-to-stereo-without-headphone-jack-or-aux/661130/3 "2013-06-16T17:54:35Z")
Looks like you need an iPod FM transmitter, like [this](http://www.amazon.com/eForCity-Stereo-Transmitter-Player-touch/dp/B005YW0Y3C/ref=sr_1_14?s=mp3&ie=UTF8&qid=1371405218&sr=1-14). ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-to-stereo-without-headphone-jack-or-aux/661130/4 "2013-06-16T17:55:38Z")
[quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:2, topic:661130”] Just about any stereo or electronics store (Radio Shack, Best Buy…) should have the adapter cable that you need. I have one [like this](http://www.auobd2.com/upload/pro/20131/pioneer-cd-rm10-ipod-adapter-cable-1.jpg), which you just connect a standard stereo cable to. I also have a cheaper one (red/white only with no yellow video adapter) that’s three feet long. I’d be surprised if it costs you more than ten bucks. [/QUOTE] And connect it _what_? That stereo has no Aux-in. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-to-stereo-without-headphone-jack-or-aux/661130/5 "2013-06-16T17:57:52Z")
The specifications say it has a USB input. Can’t you connect your iPod using the Apple dock connector-to-USB cord? ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-to-stereo-without-headphone-jack-or-aux/661130/6 "2013-06-16T17:58:08Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > And connect it _what_? > That stereo has no Aux-in. Oops. I was reading the list of inputs too fast and didn’t notice those RCA connections were outputs: > [@stereo specs](#): > > Connections: 1 x USB input, 1 x SD Input, 2 x RCA output for connecting speakers (integrated cable box side) I wonder if the standard iPod to USB cable would work? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-to-stereo-without-headphone-jack-or-aux/661130/7 "2013-06-16T19:11:18Z")
It’s a kludge, but you could get one of those cassette-to-ipod adapters that are mostly intended for letting you play portable devices through a car’s cassette deck. ---
**Author:** ![newst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ea5d25/32.png) [@newst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newst)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-to-stereo-without-headphone-jack-or-aux/661130/8 "2013-06-16T22:50:34Z")
hello guys thanks for your input, yes thats the prob i cant connect it, or id have got a cable. The description of this stereo says u can use with mp3 player so i did think it would be possible to connect by usb, but sadly it does not work my ipod refuses to play once connected by usb. I think the best option is the radio tras, thanks guys…🙂 ---
**Author:** ![newst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ea5d25/32.png) [@newst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newst)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-to-stereo-without-headphone-jack-or-aux/661130/9 "2013-06-16T22:51:49Z")
Hiya i didnt know those casstte convertors would work with an ipod great, thanks ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-to-stereo-without-headphone-jack-or-aux/661130/10 "2013-06-17T01:41:33Z")
> [@newst](#): > > hello guys thanks for your input, yes thats the prob i cant connect it, or id have got a cable. The description of this stereo says u can use with mp3 player so i did think it would be possible to connect by usb, but sadly it does not work my ipod refuses to play once connected by usb. > I think the best option is the radio tras, thanks guys…🙂 This may be due to Apple’s restricting the iPod from working easily with anything other than iTunes. Most other brands of MP3 player can be read as if they were a Windows drive and might work with your stereo. However, the headphone jack to cassette adapter may indeed be your easiest solution. ---
**Author:** ![newst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ea5d25/32.png) [@newst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newst)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-to-stereo-without-headphone-jack-or-aux/661130/11 "2013-06-17T13:29:55Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > This may be due to Apple’s restricting the iPod from working easily with anything other than iTunes. Most other brands of MP3 player can be read as if they were a Windows drive and might work with your stereo. However, the headphone jack to cassette adapter may indeed be your easiest solution. Hiya so a headphone jack is needed for the cassette converter to work? as my stereo does not have one ---
**Author:** ![newst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ea5d25/32.png) [@newst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newst)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-to-stereo-without-headphone-jack-or-aux/661130/12 "2013-06-17T13:33:56Z")
hiya i just realised that u ment headphone jack into ipod, does anyone know if u have to have the tape playing while u listen\>? thx ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-to-stereo-without-headphone-jack-or-aux/661130/13 "2013-06-17T13:46:43Z")
> [@newst](#): > > hiya i just realised that u ment headphone jack into ipod, does anyone know if u have to have the tape playing while u listen\>? thx Yes, the stereo must be set on “Cassette,” and playing for the adapter to work. ---
**Author:** ![Francis\_Vaughan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/francis_vaughan/32/3093_2.png) [@Francis\_Vaughan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francis_Vaughan)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-to-stereo-without-headphone-jack-or-aux/661130/14 "2013-06-17T13:53:05Z")
I would go with an FM adaptor. The tape adaptors can be a bit odd, and you do need the player to think it is in play mode - typically with motors running. I must confess I have trouble getting my head around a device that has a cassette recorder and no external inputs at all. The idea of cassette tapes in 2013 is a little hard to comprehend as well. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-to-stereo-without-headphone-jack-or-aux/661130/15 "2013-06-17T14:23:56Z")
didn’t read about your specific product. some devices that have USB input will read and decode any mp3 files on any (nonApple) USB storage device with the files stored as a MSC device. so any flash drive would work. you would need to use the menu provided by the audio player. many mp3 players (nonApple) will also operate as a mass storage device and operate as a flash drive when you use them as an MSC device. SanDisk has some really nice mp3 players that do this easily and are great FM radios as well in a small package. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-to-stereo-without-headphone-jack-or-aux/661130/16 "2013-06-17T17:50:47Z")
> [@newst](#): > > hiya i just realised that u ment headphone jack into ipod, does anyone know if u have to have the tape playing while u listen\>? thx Yes, I meant the plug goes into your iPod’s headphone jack, and the end that looks like a tape cassette goes into your cassette deck. Actually it’ll work with any device with a 3.5 mm headphone jack. I used to use one to play a DiscMan through the in-dash cassette deck in my car. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2013, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-to-stereo-without-headphone-jack-or-aux/661130/17 "2013-06-17T19:01:57Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > This may be due to Apple’s restricting the iPod from working easily with anything other than iTunes. Unless they’ve changed things recently, you can configure an iPod to be used that way, too. I’ve done it many times. It does mean having a separate copy of the music, but it works.