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Hooking up an mp3 to an old ghetto blaster?

ghett0blaster - 2010-07-21 09:02

I do love being retro and using cassettes, but at times it can badly affect sound quality - I was wondering if anyone here uses an mp3 connected to an old blaster?

As I know of 2 easy methods : using an mp3 radio transmitter or connecting with an RCA lead.

Has anyone done either of these? Is the sound quality a big improvement? (I would hide the mp3 somewhere in shame for not sticking to the tape decks! )

master.z - 2010-07-21 09:16

Thats what the line-in is for!

Its great that most boxes incorperated RCA's in, because it lets us use more modern technology. CD players, MP3 players, Phones, Computers, whatever.

lav.loo - 2010-07-21 09:19

ye loads of members here use mp3,s hooked uo to their boxes Nod Yes but honestly if you get a top quality chrome tape, the sound is,nt much different No No a good thing about using mp3 through a box is there,s no messin about rrw an ffwing tapes, straight to the tune you want.
also if you take your box out on the street the batts will last longer using mp3 cos there,s no motor needed to drive a tape using mp3, old meets new, sweet collaboration Big Grin

ghett0blaster - 2010-07-21 09:20

quote:
Originally posted by Master Z:
Thats what the line-in is for!

Its great that most boxes incorperated RCA's in, because it lets us use more modern technology. CD players, MP3 players, Phones, Computers, whatever.


Yeah I was very surprised when I first heard that MP3's etc could be plugged into them - didn't realize when they were designed the designers would see much need for a line-in socket

isolator42 - 2010-07-23 10:21

I use aux-in whenever it's available.
Some say mp3s sound awful, but as long as they're 192kbps or better, can you really tell on a boomer? A proper hifi, sure, but as may have been mentioned before Smile boomers ain't exactly hifi.
If there's no aux-in, I use a decent (non-UK spec) FM transmitter. Google "C-Crane" (it's no so cheap but hella worth it)

oh, but there's more besides Smile

Don't forget the cassette adaptor - usually used for car stereos, but just as useful in a boomer's tape deck if it doesn't have line-in.

& finally the cassette mp3 player, Digisette or similar (use "find" at the top left if you don't know what a Digisette is).


Failing that lot, I guess I could dig out one of the 100s of tapes I have tucked away somewhere... Smile

monolithic - 2010-07-23 11:11

Having a Mac, probably half of my music is in the AAC format at 320kbps, while a small minority is in Apple Lossless or AIFF formats... That said, my iPod is always connected to a box 'cause even tho I have plenty from the past, I don't listen to tapes.

peter.griffin - 2010-07-23 11:48

always use my boomboxes with my laptop, or ipod connected.

Funny thing, when I buy a boombox off someone, and I tell them, "I'll be hooking up my ipod". They look at me in disbeliefSmile

mellymelsr - 2010-07-23 21:39

Every boombox I have in my mancave is always plugged in and has a set of RCA jacks because I like to listen to several different boxes a day. I also have a splitter so I can connect 2-3 boxes together at once with my mp3. When I take my boxes to the park or hoop court an mp3 makes it so much easier, I just put it on random and have hours of music playing...and the batteries last much longer if you don't use the tape deck.

im.out.of.hear - 2010-07-24 02:56

I have'nt played taped on my boxes for years,i could never get a satisfactory recording to make the boxes sound good..
so..i only ever play mp3's,sometimes though my laptop,and sometimes through my mp3 player,i also have a FM Transmitter (just a chinese) and i also have a sony cassette adaptor,and a panasonic cassette adaptor..

And hey mel,i've never been a fan of the M90 but your avatar pic makes that box look really nice..