Whats up guys,

I recently decided to take the dive into satellite radio and bought the XM AGT Sportscaster that can run through either a FM modulator or AUX input. Well, running it though the AUX input causes the alternator whine which i know i can get fixed by buying the GLI from Crutchfield, but my other problem is the volume output. It is not loud enough. When using it on my Ipod stock HU with AUX, i find my self turning up the volume to 62 and still wanting it to go louder.

My question to you guys is this, is there any thing i can buy to make the audio output a little louder, or should i just be gone with the Sportscaster?

Has anyone else used an XM Radio with the AUX in with our head units? if so which one??

thanks guys!

-Mike

 

You could try a boostaroo -- a clean, portable headphone amp that runs on 2 AA batteries. I've used it to jack up the volume of portable devices through little aux speakers, etc. $30 at Radio Shack, $22 online.

 

First make sure that the volume is all the way up on the sportscaster as well.

Second, you can hook it up using the AUX input without an alt whine. Just buy a ground loop isolator and run that as your aux cable from the unit to the headunit.

Third, make sure that the volume on you amp is turned up enough, if not, turn it up more.

These should help.

 

The volume on the sportscaster is up all the way. When you say amp, do you mean the stock radio or another source?

 

The stock radio is the headunit. That is not the amp.

From your profile:

"Audio Mods
Stock head unit wired to a cheap-o Rockford sub and Profile amp"

That profile amp is what you want to turn up. There are dials on it for output volume. You may need a screwdriver to turn it, but that must not be turned up.

 

aahhh, lol... The Profile amp is a mono amp, which is just powering the the subwoofer.

How do you have your starmate hooked up? through aux?

 

yep. It is just a ground loop isolator I have running from it to the headunit.

 

is it as loud as a cd playing on your stock HU?

 

yep, it is normal volume.

 

but i don't run a stock hu

 

hhmmm..
before you added your GLI, did the volume sound lower? maybe thats the problem im having

 

nope, I never had a problem with volume. I used to use the fm transmitter, then a monster aux cable, and now a ground loop isolator.

make sure all of the wires are in tightly and correctly.

 

has anybody else used an XM radio through AUX on the tC?


I might end up buying another XM tuner to see if it'll sound louder. Any recommendations?

 

Okay here's the problem. Not all satellite units have the same audio voltage output. the sirius model that Spect2k3 has is actually one of the highest audio voltage levels out there. I just checked on the AGT Sportscaster model and of course they won't list what the audio voltage is. This is the problem, the audio level is too low and that's why you're having to crank up the tC's volume.

So what I'm saying is this. You can max out the audio level on the unit, but that doesn't mean it will be sufficiently loud. It's all about how much VOLTAGE the audio output is sending out of the unit. Chances are it's something like 0.5v where the unit Spect2k3 has is 2.0-2.8V for the audio voltage, see the difference?

If you do keep the unit the one thing you could do is get the little booster for the headphone jack. I think that's your only solution. I just checked all the XM units (plug n play) that crutchfield has. None will report what the audio output voltage is. Your best bet. get that small headphone amplifier that cherry-8 was talking about.

but that's the explanation of why it's not loud enough.


here are the links to the boosters at radio shack.

1- this one is radio shack's brand. $25 I'd probably go with this one if you can find it at your local radio shack. same thing as the $29.97 boosteroo.
Radio Shack Brand Booster Link

2- boosteroo at radio shack (in case you can't find the radio shack version)
Boosteroo Link

 

You make me feel SOOOO good about myself

Good explanation man!

 

thanks for all the posts guys, i just got the GLI in from crutchfield and it works great! hissing and alternator whine is gone, and XM is very clear!

 

heh, there ya go. You should have said that you were buying a GLI, I have one sitting around. Anyway, good you got it settled.

 

you're welcome for the help, but what about the volume issue?

 

aww shucks.. lol

 

you were right, the volume seems to be because of the units low voltage output... but when i installed the GLI, it cleared up the hiss which in turn made the sounds seem a little louder...

but all in all, you can't beat a $10 XM Radio!!