BS: i-pod to old amp connect?

Subject: BS: i-pod to old amp connect?
From: Kampervan
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 11:00 AM

Hi there
Can anyone tell me if it is possible to connect an i-pod to an old 1980's Cambridge Audiolab 8000a integrated amplifier.

The amp is driving a pair of BW CM1 speakers and still sounds really good. Is it possible and, if so, how?

Tanks for any help.
K/van

Subject: RE: BS: i-pod to old amp connect?
From: beardedbruce
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 11:46 AM

There should be a cable that plugs into the ipod, providing audio output. The end might be a mini-phone plug, or RCA. If it it mini-phone ( stereo0 then toy need a mini-phone to dual RCA plug converter. I would try the inputs to the integrated amp, to see wich is best. Probably the CD or tape inputs, as the ipod has a ( lot) more power than from a phono cartridge.

Subject: RE: BS: i-pod to old amp connect?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 01:08 PM

I did this for a friend on her stereo.

You probably will need to go to Radio Shack or similar, the audio out on the ipod is designed for mini head phones or ear buds. Ask for an "ear bud jack to RCA stereo cable."

if you have an AUX input that would probably be best because you probably will not have to unplug anything else.

Subject: RE: BS: i-pod to old amp connect?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 01:27 PM

I think you'll find the ipod earphone out is a 1.5mm stereo jack socket. It's quite easy to get an adapter to the next size stereo jackplug up which is I think the size used for computer sound leads, so then get a lead with one of those plugs on one end and twin phonos (RCA plugs) on the other. Turn Ipod down (those little suckers can chuck out nearly a volt!) plug together (aux input on the Cambridge or spare tape deck input), put gain on Cambridge about halfway and cautiously turn up i-pod.

If you are still overloading the input you will need a DI box.

Once you get it right you will start to hear the limitations of MP3 and MP4 compression!

Subject: RE: BS: i-pod to old amp connect?
From: Kampervan
Date: 26 Oct 10 - 05:42 AM

Gosh, I didn't realise that it would be that easy!

Thanks for all your help.

Richard,
I saved my cd's onto a hard drive using the AAC format and I realise that the i-pod won't give the best of sounds but it's so conveninet. And I still have the originals for when I want to sit and listen properly. Although as I get older I'm not sure how big the difference is to my decreasingly motile cochlear hair cells!

Cheers
K/van

Subject: RE: BS: i-pod to old amp connect?
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Oct 10 - 07:48 AM

I used Apple's iPod dock, with the composite AV cable plugged in the back, permanently left in the amp. That way I can control the iPod with the remote that comes with the dock and the iPod is charged when it's docked.