shpritz

I have been using my Sirius Sportster 4 in my 2006 SLK 55 and find the sound via a wireless fm modulator to be very poor. I am considering hooking up a hard wired FM modulator to my A20. The FM modulator would go between the antenna and the A20. I was wondering if anyone else here has tried doiing this install and if the could tell me if the sound is much better by interfacing it in this way.

shpritz

Anyone????

mtiede

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I haven't read of anyone doing this. Sorry...

gknight8

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I am using the sirius that was built in to my car but if I didn't I would definetly go the direct FM connection route. I think you need a FM splitter on the antenna since it is also using the antenna for the tele-aid cellphone antenna this is of course only if you have tele-aid

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I have no experience with an aftermarket satellite radio system on the SLK. I've used several of the XM add-on radio systems on other vehicles in the past. Can't beat the included wireless FM modulator for ease of installation, but sound quality suffers. I would consult several audio installation shops and see what they recommend.

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SLKDawg

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I have done this to connect my iPod to the Audio 20 - total cost was under $50 and I am very happy with the results.

http://www.slkworld.com/general-modi...udio-20-a.html

shpritz

Thanks for the reply. I was wondering if there was anyway of disconnecting my CD changer which I rarely use and then somehow using this input as an aux input that I could then hook up my satellite radio or ipod???

UK-C200

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Yeah, think I responded to you across the road. There are two "top" tier products that would do what you want. Denison's Gateway 500 or the Argos "iTronic". Both provide a lot more than just "AUX" input, and will allow you to control your iPod from the steering controls.

Neither is perfect - the Argos kit has been in development forever, but is out now - I've used the Gateway and the older DICE kits (D2B model), and both work as advertised. Sound quality is as good as it gets. Neither is cheap, though - $500+ range. I'm hoping to have a Gateway to play with when I've got some spare time on my "new to me" SLK, but it will be a while before I have time to mess with it..

shpritz

Just got this information on the Argos which is now apparently available. This may indeed be a viable solution to those of us looking for a way to integrate an AUX input into our A20 units so that we can enjoy Satellite or MP3's in our cars. Let me know what you all think or if anyone has had any experience with this company. I am looking specifically at the ECP/D2B Aux-in module that is suppose to be essentially plug and play in place of your CD-changer.

http://www.benzphone.com/index.htm?mercedes.htm

shpritz

There are a couple of solutions but the one I am interested in is the ECP/D2B which is about half way down the page.

http://www.benzphone.com/index.htm?mercedes.htm

DansSlk

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That wont work because your car is MOST not D2B

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UK-C200

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:-) What Dan said - your SLK talks MOST not D2B, so you are limited to MOST based solutions....

shpritz

Darn. Thought I had found a viable solution over a FM modulator. Good thing I checked back as I was so excited I almost pulled the trigger and ordered one. Thanks Dan for helping me out. Have any other suggestions or hooking up a FM Modulator between the A20 and the antenna the only workable solution right now???

SLKDawg

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The main issue we have with US-spec Audio20's in the SLK is that they do not support text or RDS (not sure if that is the case with your Canadian model). Therefore there is no way to get a display of song titles on the screen. Otherwise something as simple as an XMDirect module would work.

The wired FM modulator, which is what your original inquiry was about, is the cheapest and easiest way to have connectivity of an iPod or satellite radio. Granted you cannot use the steering wheel controls, which in such a small car I think are useless anyways, but at least it gives you a solution without spending a wad of money.

shpritz

I don't really care so much about the steering wheel controls. Rarely use them except for the Volume up and down which will still work. Really wanted to avoid taking the dash apart to get to the back of the A20 for the antenna. Guess I will plan for it on a rainy day project, .

UK-C200

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Unfortunately I think any solution will require a bit of disassembly. Just because I was curious (and had too much free time today), I made a couple of phone calls :

1] iTronic™ iPod Connection : http://www.incartronics.com/

This unit takes the place of a Mercedes factory CD changer on any M.O.S.T. fiber optic equipped vehicle (see compatibility). It has a standard iPod dock connector that can be used to play audio and control your iPod from the COMAND or Radio and/or steering wheel controls of your Mercedes.

Price : $679 USD
Confirmed to work with US Audio 20, displays "CDxx Trackxx instead of song titles.

2] Denison Gateway 500 http://www.dension.com/icelinkgateway500.php
Open up the latest fibre optic vehicle systems for iPod, auxiliary input and USB devices including memory sticks, MP3 players and Microsoft PlaysForSure devices while retaining your original CD Changer!
The Dension Gateway 500 is a vehicle-specific adapter that enables connection and control of media players (e.g. iPod), USB flash drives and other USB mass storage devices (e.g. Hard Drives) with FAT file system by emulating an external CD changer and connects directly to the car’s entertainment system. An AUX IN connection is available for players otherwise not compatible with the device. This hard-wired solution delivers CD-quality audio and safe control of the players from the vehicle’s entertainment system controls. Device provides also a standard video output to watch iPod movies on the car entertainment system if available.

Price : $499 USD
Confirmed to work with US Audio 20, displays "CDxx Trackxx instead of song titles. Spoke to one of the support folks, they are still working on the CANBUS module to allow songtitle / artist data in the MFD. The v3 (current shipping) hardware supports it, they are not shipping the CANBUS cables (interface?) yet.

3] The NAV-TV OPi - http://www.navtv.com/products_usa_ipod.php series iPod Interface connects, controls, charges, and plays an iPod through the factory stereo system of Vehicles utilizing M.O.S.T (Media Oriented Systems Transport) fiber optic Technology.
Get audiophile sound quality into your factory radio. Also adds optional auxiliary input to connect any standard portable stereo device plus iPod connection.
• iPod interface to connect, control, charge and play an iPod through a factory radio
• Easy installation
• Optional additional single stereo Aux input
• Select Playlists, Artists, Albums, Genres.
• Auto memory feature – Auto locates last song listened to on each play list
• Auto Maintain current play list when migrating from portable to in car use
• Auto Charge feature charges iPod battery While radio is on.
Note: Factory CD Changer must be disconnected.

Price : $615 USD
NOT confirmed to work with A20 head, but there's conflicting information out there on this one.

4] Dice Electronics : MOST iPod Integration Kit : http://www.diceelectronics.com/Merch...ode=i-mercedes

Finaly, an iPod integration kit for "M.O.S.T." fiber optic vehicles. Hear the highest quality audio from your iPod on your factory (OEM) entertainment system. Control your iPod directly from your radio and steering wheel controls. View and select music by playlist and song. Everything your could ask for or dream of in an iPod car integration kit.

Price : $449 USD
Confirmed to work with A20 head, replaces changer. I have the D2B version in my C200, works just as advertised, but the install documentation sucked. There's a good how-to on "the other site".

5] mObridge : Blutooth + iPod : http://www.mobridgeinc.com/products/bluetooth

mObridge Bluetooth is the most advanced after-market phone kit available for vehicles equipped with the MOST bus.
Not only does it integrate Parrot® Bluetooth technology for best-in-class phone support, it also integrates our popular iPod and auxiliary audio interface to be a complete multi-media gateway.
And best of all it seamlessly integrates with your existing vehicle radio and steering wheel controls for a factory-fitted effect.
If you're the lucky owner of a late model Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, or Porsche you should definitely consider mObridge Bluetooth for your hands-free telephone solution.

Price : $799
Confirmed to work (and supported) on A20 in "no text" mode. Same hardware as Denison GW500 and inCarTronics, but evidently custom software. As with later generation Denison units, supports CD Changer in "bypass" mode.




These are all the options I'm aware of short of a HU replacement, and all the joys and nightmares associated with said task. They all do the same thing, convert an analogue signal into a 48k stream for injection onto the MOST fiber bus. Since they are not using the AUX interface (like the current MB kits), there is no adjustment of the input signal level.

If you decide to install any of these, add about $20usd to the price to get the OEM MB parts to allow you to re-use the power feed from the changer rather than using the included "wire taps" - much cleaner install, and obviously gives you a trivial way to take it out and put the changer back.

shpritz

Thank-you very much for the leg work and info.

UK-C200

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Bump up for mObridge..