# Linking Hi-Fi to iPod **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 18, 2007, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linking-hi-fi-to-ipod/419618 "2007-09-18T15:56:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MuddVayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MuddVayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MuddVayne)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2007, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linking-hi-fi-to-ipod/419618/1 "2007-09-18T15:56:06Z")
Okay, so I’ve bought the leads which you plug into your iPod and into your speakers of the hi-fi, but nothing happens when I turn the hi-fi on. I’ve also lost the manual. Help will be greatly appreciated, thanks ! ---
**Author:** ![wasson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/4da419/32.png) [@wasson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wasson)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2007, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linking-hi-fi-to-ipod/419618/2 "2007-09-18T16:04:49Z")
When you say “the hi-fi”, do you mean a stand-alone stereo system, or do you mean Apple’s HiFi? ---
**Author:** ![Waverly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@Waverly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waverly)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2007, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linking-hi-fi-to-ipod/419618/3 "2007-09-18T16:21:23Z")
[QUOTE=MuddVayne] Okay, so I’ve bought the leads which you plug into your iPod and into your speakers of the hi-fi, but nothing happens when I turn the hi-fi on. I’ve also lost the manual. Help will be greatly appreciated, thanks ! [/QUOTE] For external speakers, the ipod requires some sort of amplification. I hope you mean you plugged your ipod into an amp or a reciever, and not the speakers. That would be… well it just won’t work. ---
**Author:** ![MuddVayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MuddVayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MuddVayne)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2007, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linking-hi-fi-to-ipod/419618/4 "2007-09-18T16:36:47Z")
Nah not an official Apple hi-fi, just my own stereo system with 2 speakers. There’s several places I could plug the two-ended part of the lead, 1. Line Out 2. Video/Aux 3. MD (which I guess stands for Mini Disc) I’ve tried them all but none of them work. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2007, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linking-hi-fi-to-ipod/419618/5 "2007-09-18T16:50:33Z")
You’d want to put them into the Video/Aux plugs. But you’ll also probably need to flip a switch or hit a button to tell the stereo “ok use the speakers to play what is coming in through the aux plug now,” the same way you would if you switch between radio and CD or tape and CD. Also, make sure the volume on your iPod is up…and on the stereo too! ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2007, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linking-hi-fi-to-ipod/419618/6 "2007-09-18T18:16:19Z")
Just make sure you’re plugging in the red and white plugs to the red and white jacks for video/aux! If there’s a yellow jack, leave it alone!! ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2007, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linking-hi-fi-to-ipod/419618/7 "2007-09-18T18:51:02Z")
Google your stereo and send us a pic. Maybe we can divine which button you should press from there. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2007, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linking-hi-fi-to-ipod/419618/8 "2007-09-18T21:16:43Z")
Alternatively, you could get [an FM tramsitter](http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7521149&st=ipod+transmitter&type=product&id=1127210996478) and play your iPod on your hi-fi that way. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2007, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linking-hi-fi-to-ipod/419618/9 "2007-09-18T21:29:14Z")
[QUOTE=Lute Skywatcher] Alternatively, you could get [an FM tramsitter](http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7521149&st=ipod+transmitter&type=product&id=1127210996478) and play your iPod on your hi-fi that way. [/QUOTE] However, every one of these that I’ve tried has noticeably hurt the sound quality. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![MuddVayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MuddVayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MuddVayne)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2007, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linking-hi-fi-to-ipod/419618/10 "2007-09-18T22:45:38Z")
Ooo taking a picture, that’s a good idea, I stuck them in the video/aux holes but I can’t toggle it onto aux! ---
**Author:** ![MuddVayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MuddVayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MuddVayne)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2007, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linking-hi-fi-to-ipod/419618/11 "2007-09-18T22:47:21Z")
The video/aux button are the same thing and when you press it, video is always the option that comes up, I can never get aux to come up! ---
**Author:** ![MuddVayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MuddVayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MuddVayne)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2007, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linking-hi-fi-to-ipod/419618/12 "2007-09-18T23:05:08Z")
This is a terribly small picture I know [Mercado Libre - Envíos Gratis en el día](http://www.deremate.cl/accdb/viewItem.asp?IDI=15746913). When you press the video/aux button, the options that come up are: VideoMin Video1 Video2 Video3 Video4 Video5 Video6 VideoMax Question, should the red and white jacks fit fully into the holes?because they sort of get stopped by the capped bit. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linking-hi-fi-to-ipod/419618/13 "2007-09-19T00:34:33Z")
Yes, they should seat completely. If they don’t that’s probably a big part of the problem. Alas, I don’t follow what you mean by: > [@](#): > > When you press the video/aux button, the options that come up are: > > VideoMin Video1 Video2 Video3 Video4 Video5 Video6 VideoMax Does pressing the button repeatedly cycle through these options, or do they all pop up at once on a screen somewhere and you have to choose among them? I’d like to second the request for what model this is. I can make out Aiwa from the picture, I think. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linking-hi-fi-to-ipod/419618/14 "2007-09-19T02:31:49Z")
[QUOTE=OneCentStamp] However, every one of these that I’ve tried has noticeably hurt the sound quality. YMMV. [/QUOTE] Never noticed a problem with mine except when having to change frequencies a couple of times while traveling. ---
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linking-hi-fi-to-ipod/419618/15 "2007-09-19T03:02:27Z")
> [@Aiwa site](#): > > Yes, AIWA systems are designed with a “VIDEO/AUX” input with RCA-Type jacks for the input of an analog audio signal, such as a VCR, Cassette Deck, or Turntable. > [@AIWA site](#): > > The VIDEO/AUX input found on your AIWA Mini-System is not amplified to accommodate the low signal output from a turntable. If you are connecting an AIWA turntable to your mini-system, such as the PX-E860, it is necessary that the built-in equalizer amp be turned on. After connecting the AIWA turntable, you need to switch the EQ amp to “ON”. The switch is located under the turntable platter towards the top of the unit. If the Turntable you are connecting does not incorporate a built-in pre-amplifier, you may need to connect your turntable to an external turntable pre-amp. This turntable pre-amp will then need to be connected to your AIWA Mini-System to ensure a proper signal input. I did some quick searching of the AIWA site: [http://www.us.aiwa.com/default.asp?page=support&browse=yes&cat=2&subcat=3](http://www.us.aiwa.com/default.asp?page=support&browse=yes&cat=2&subcat=3) I couldn’t find the exact product number, but I randomly picked a few mini systems (8 or 10 from the bottom to the top, if you can find yours, I’d check it). From what I can see, you have two problems: You’re putting a digital output to an analog input. I’m not up to snuff on my audio like I used to be, but what it boils down to is that it doesn’t work. The second problem is that their isn’t an amp in the video/aux input and there isn’t one in your iPod so you’re kind of in trouble there. My advice is to go out an buy one of those lower end iPod docks. A friend of mine has a cheap $90 one that actually sounds alright (don’t remember the name though, although I’d stay away from buying at the apple store unless you want to mortgage your house). ---
**Author:** ![thirdname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@thirdname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdname)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linking-hi-fi-to-ipod/419618/16 "2007-09-19T04:07:17Z")
[QUOTE=drm] You’re putting a digital output to an analog input. I’m not up to snuff on my audio like I used to be, but what it boils down to is that it doesn’t work. The second problem is that their isn’t an amp in the video/aux input and there isn’t one in your iPod so you’re kind of in trouble there. [/QUOTE] If he’s using the headphone output from the Ipod, it’s a regular analog audio signal and it should work fine. It’s roughly a regular line-level signal, which is what is expected in an aux input and requires no additional amplification. As I recall though it works best if you turn it up around 75% volume though. You can get a “dock” or just an adapter cable such as the Nyko Stereo Link that I got, to hook into the “dock connector” and get a line-out signal. However, I read somewhere that the Ipod just has a single digital output stage (ie the digital-to-analog converter produces the headphone-level signal by itself), so the line-out would be the same as the headphone out but with a fixed volume and possibly with the equalizer defeated. Anyway, with a minisystem it shouldn’t make ay real difference versus just using a regular audio cable with the headphone output. ---
**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linking-hi-fi-to-ipod/419618/17 "2007-09-19T06:27:48Z")
Do you have the right kind of cable? It should have a regular audio miniplug at one end (to fit into the headphone jack) and two [RCA connecters](http://www.ethnicdance.net/minidisc/Analog_RCA_Plugs.jpg) at the other end. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linking-hi-fi-to-ipod/419618/18 "2007-09-19T12:58:55Z")
If digital/analog is the problem, try the MD input: it may be designed to accept digital.