my PIE TOY03 AUX Adapter... it's so quiet?

[Lumberg]

I finally got the nerve up to go do a proper install of my new Sirius Sportster 5.

I had purchased a PIE TOY03 AUX unit off of e-Bay to be able to utilize the CD Changer input in the back of my stock Toyota 4Runner 04 JBL radio, as I am currently using the tape adapter.

So, I got the dash off no problem, got the thing hooked up, and made the wise decision to try it before putting the dash back on, etc.

Well, I'm kind of p1ssed off-- it sounds almost worse than my sony tape adapter from best buy! It's definitely quieter, and it sounds a little flat-- you can tell when switching between the FM radio and the CD the difference in sound quality. (Even the radio is much louder.)

I can crank the unit up to volume: 50 and it's hardly as loud as my tape adapter was at around 35. And I like it LOUD!

Just wanted to know if anybody else had this problem, and if so, what they did to fix it? I really don't want to have to buy a line amplifier but that may be what I need.

Either way, it's a real pain. Anybody had luck with the FM Modulator that plugs directly into the radio via the antenna jack?

Thanks everybody--
Lumberg

 

[RevoRunner]

We have somewhat similar setups. I have an 04 (but upgraded my radio to 07), sportster 5 and I changed from an FM Direct to a US Spec PA12. The FM direct volume was slightly lower than radio or CD. With the US Spec it was right about the same and crystal clear. Check on your sportster 5 if the output is up (I have mine about 4 clicks down from maximum)

 

[dburger]

I had the same problem with crappy sound and the PIE unit with Sportster 4. It turned out that it was the cigarette lighter adapter for power. When I direct wired it with a kit from BB it sounds great

 

[Lumberg]

I had the same problem with crappy sound and the PIE unit with Sportster 4. It turned out that it was the cigarette lighter adapter for power. When I direct wired it with a kit from BB it sounds great

A kit from BB? Please elaborate!

 

[dburger]

Directed Electronics - Car Installation Kit for SIRIUS Satellite Radio Receivers
Model: SIR-PVK1 | SKU: 8041004

Best Buy online carries this

 

[Lumberg]

Directed Electronics - Car Installation Kit for SIRIUS Satellite Radio Receivers
Model: SIR-PVK1 | SKU: 8041004

Best Buy online carries this

That looks awesome, and for only $30. How does the direct power work? I see two boxes in that photo. One looks like it has switches on it, I'm guessing that's the FM modulator... and the other has a red/black cable and a white adapter... which I'm guessing is power related. Where does that hook up to?

I might just buy this and end up switching out my install.

 

[Lumberg]

Actually, my Sportster 5 uses the new 5 volt connector. I wonder if that's part of the power issue? The sportster 4 uses the older 12 volt power doesn't it?

Also, I'm trying to figure out where this modulator device taps into.

Thanks!

 

[RevoRunner]

I don't know what voltage my stuff is running on but I went from a Sportster 4 to 5 and did not change any of the power wiring and everything is working fine.

 

[dburger]

The Sportster 4 is 5V. the power converter in this kit can output 12V or 5V. There are two cables just use the one you need.

I connected the input for it right to the fuse box using an "Add-A-Circuit" and grounded the ground wire. The only problem I had was that the cables are short enough I had to extend them.

The other box is an FM Modulator. Since I was using the PIE adapter I didn't need it. I actually have 2 FM Modulators in the drawer.

Hope that helps

 

[dburger]

I reread about your PIE adapter using the CD input. I should note I have the one that uses the satellite input but the sound improved when I direct wired it