OT-help from audio electronics gurus

[Suz D]

This could be considered somewhat on topic because as always, I want to get the best value. I'm not knowledgable at all about electronics but know excellent sound quality when I hear it. I just don't know how to configure what I want.

Here's my question. We currently have a Bose docking station for our IPod. I turn it on first thing in the morning and turn it off sometime in the evening. I like a lot of new age and classical.

We saw some wonderful speakers (bose-2 small ones and a big one) at Sam's. They were hooked up to a little Onkyo box that played CD's and AM/FM (that's a reciever right? LOL!). Anyway, we were all set to buy it but the darn thing didn't have a docking station for my IPod.

What I'm looking for is a docking station that can be hooked up to some high quality external speakers. I don't want super huge because this is in our kitchen/dining area and will be placed on top of a very wide bookcase.

Any suggestions as to what we should get? We're looking in the $500/under range.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Suz D]

I'm bumping this up just in case it got lost in the shuffle (and because I can't believe that not one person has an idea for me.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I am not an electronics guru by any means, but you do not need a docking station. All you need to do is find a system that has an AUX (auxillary) input. You can plug in your iPod that way. The connector will look something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Scosche-sneak...9LB0/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1292254406&sr=8-8

or this:

http://www.amazon.com/Apple-iPod-Audio-Stereo-System/dp/B000BO3FS4/ref=pd_sim_e_3

You plug one end into the receiver for the stereo system and the other end to your iPod. You would have to check the AUX input on the receiver to see what type of connector you would need.

You can also buy docking stations which can connect to a receiver, such as this:

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-F8Z126...0O/ref=sr_1_32?ie=UTF8&qid=1292254935&sr=8-32

If this is the system you saw at Sam's Club, there are two additional inputs, so you should be good to go after also purchasing some type of connector cable:

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=192494&navAction=#desc

 

[Suz D]

Thanks Lost! That is the exact system I was thinking of. We've had our IPod hooked up to our little shelf stereo system with those cords but I wanted something that would charge our IPod as well. I just didn't know if there was just a little docking station/charger thingy available. The docking station you linked would be perfect! Thanks so much for solving that problem.

BTW, the system at Sam's really has a great sound.

 

[dfchelbay]

I am not an electronics guru by any means, but you do not need a docking station. All you need to do is find a system that has an AUX (auxillary) input. You can plug in your iPod that way. The connector will look something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Scosche-sneak...9LB0/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1292254406&sr=8-8

or this:

http://www.amazon.com/Apple-iPod-Audio-Stereo-System/dp/B000BO3FS4/ref=pd_sim_e_3

You plug one end into the receiver for the stereo system and the other end to your iPod. You would have to check the AUX input on the receiver to see what type of connector you would need.

You can also buy docking stations which can connect to a receiver, such as this:

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-F8Z126...0O/ref=sr_1_32?ie=UTF8&qid=1292254935&sr=8-32

If this is the system you saw at Sam's Club, there are two additional inputs, so you should be good to go after also purchasing some type of connector cable:

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=192494&navAction=#desc

This is exactly what I was going to say too. We bought excellent, high end small Sony speakers for many rooms in the house. We just have to bring the ipod to the speaker in any room and hook it up through AUX on the speakers to the headphone hole in the ipod...easy peasy.

 

[Suz D]

This is exactly what I was going to say too. We bought excellent, high end small Sony speakers for many rooms in the house. We just have to bring the ipod to the speaker in any room and hook it up through AUX on the speakers to the headphone hole in the ipod...easy peasy.

I was telling my DH about what you do because I thought we could then have music in every room of our house. He asked if the speakers are plugged into a power source or what exactly powers them. Let me know if you get a chance.

 

[csharpwv]

The only problem you will run into is that you cannot control the iPod controls (Play, Pause, Forward, Backward) from across the room.

BUT - you CAN buy an iPod dock with IR sensor and remote - here is an example:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC746LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA0OQ&mco=MjAyNDIwNTA

There are a lot of different models out there that will do the same thing - and I'm pretty certain you can find a more budget friendly model out there somewhere.

That is a very nice system - I am definitely an audiophile, and have considered buying that system before, but if I buy any more audio stuff she is going to put it all on my side of the bed.... in the bed....

There are a ton of options out there in general for listening to music on your iPod - and some people will argue against Bose based on price, but it's tough to match Bose quality - both audio and build.

Another option would be to just buy the Bose speaker and get a receiver that is XM/Sirius capable. But that's a whole other idea altogether!

Good luck!

 

[csharpwv]

Suz D - I just realized that we live about 20 minutes away from one another!
I don't see too many other folks from WV on here!
That's exciting! HAHA