Have recently fitted an Alpine CDA 9855 with the ipod adaptor KCA 420i. Sound quality with a CD is top notch, but when using the ipod the sound quality is nowhere near as good. I've never used ipods in the car before, so was wondering what everyone else's thoughts were on their sound quality. I know they're compressed files, but I was expecting similar sound quality to CD:wonder:

Depends on what bit rate your mp3 files are; with the standard ipod headphones it's hard to really hear the quality but it could be made more apparent using the Alpine?

why were you expecting compressed music to sound as good as a cd? ditch the ipod and used cd's, much better sound!!

Depends on what bit rate your mp3 files are; with the standard ipod headphones it's hard to really hear the quality but it could be made more apparent using the Alpine?


I think you're right... the ipod compressed files sound ok direct from the ipod, but when played through a better quality system, the flaws show up more. Makes sense:)

why were you expecting compressed music to sound as good as a cd? ditch the ipod and used cd's, much better sound!!


That's what I'm thinking... get a cd changer & keep the ipod out the car!:lol1:

I rip my music to the highest rate- it sounds good enough to me- probably not as good as CDs but less hassle- but i cant tell the difference to be honest

Mp3's can sound nearly as good as Cd's, depeneds on the Bit rate and where you source them from...

I have a 80GB Ipod in the Boot of my Car connected with a KCA 420 and a Intarvee Unit (for BMW's) and it works great.. :thumb:

Considering all the background noise in a car etc. there's no way I'd go back to a cd changer from my iPod. Just make sure the tracks are ripped at a decent enough bitrate and you're away! :D

Thanks for all the advice guys... have burnt off a few CD's at the highest bit rate and sounds much better in the car now:thumb: Just means I can't get all my albums on the 30gb... should have got that 80gb:Whatever_