I went on a mission for a cable to patch my MP3 player into my Element about a week ago. I tried two different cables with disappointing results - the volume was very dampened and much of the sound was muddied by interference. I struck gold on the third try with a cable that blocks EMI/RFI noise and produces the clear and punchy sound you expect from a digital audio source. And, unlike with the other cables, I didn't have to max out the volume just to get a decent sound level.

This 6-foot patch cable has standard 3.5mm (1/8") male stereo mini plugs on both ends. The cable is shielded and features integrated RF chokes at both ends to prevent signal interference and produce a noticeably crisper and cleaner sound. This cable connects any source with a minijack stereo output (PDA, portable CD, MD, or MP3 player) to the digital media auxiliary jack on EX model Elements.

After hearing the results, I ran back to the electronics shop where I found the cable and cleaned them out. I have about a dozen of these cables that I'll sell for $10 each, including shipping to anywhere in the continental United States. I promise prompt shipment and assure you that you'll be pleased with the sound quality.

The picture shown below is my cable - yours will still be in the original sealed plastic bag. Payment can be made via USPS money order or PayPal. (My wife is a verified PayPal member.) Please email me at rob@2dolphins.com for more information or to arrange a purchase.

http://2dolphins.com/images/element/audiocable1.jpg

http://2dolphins.com/images/element/audiocable2.jpg

Rob O'Daniel
Life's a beach!
www.2dolphins.com

Thanks for the info, but could you please post the product info (make/model, etc.) for those of us who would like to run out and get it locally?

Thanks again,

-jdef

John, I'd gladly ID this cable if I could, but they're in plain, unlabeled plastic baggies. When I get a chance to run back by the little electronics shop where I found 'em, I'll ask for a brand name.

the $3.00 cable from best buy seems to work fine with my ipod, but if you are into serious quality and need shielding, then amazon.com has monster brand cables. check out:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00007JDR8/qid=1047872432/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-6746231-9958219?v=glance&s=electronics

MONSTER CABLE SMIN-IL4 Standard Stereo Mini Adapter Cable

shawn

[quote="rodaniel"]I struck gold on the third try with a cable that blocks EMI/RFI noise and produces the clear and punchy sound you expect from a digital audio source. And, unlike with the other cables, I didn't have to max out the volume just to get a decent sound level.

This 6-foot patch cable has standard 3.5mm (1/8") male stereo mini plugs on both ends. The cable is shielded and features integrated RF chokes at both ends to prevent signal interference and produce a noticeably crisper and cleaner sound. This cable connects any source with a minijack stereo output (PDA, portable CD, MD, or MP3 player) to the digital media auxiliary jack on EX model Elements.

Funny how he knew all this stuff about an unmarked, unidentifiable cable. Did I mention overpriced???

offering any alternative. :roll:

I have no idea whether Rob is profiting from this or not, but if he is, it probably is not much. The Monster Cable available for this application is about the same price as what Rob found, but it doesn't include the RF blockers. I have been casually looking and it is harder than it should be to find any cable with the correct ends on it for any price, and I've been to multiple Radio Shack, Good Guys, Circuit City, Fry's, and a couple of others.

I haven't purchased a cable yet, from Rob or anyone else, but I don't think Rob is trying to corner the market or charge outrageous prices, certainly not close to how my F^&*in' Honda dealer ripped me for accessories. If that cable where sold at my dealer, it would be $75 "installed".

-jdef

[quote:9fe606677e="PhillyElement"]Funny how he knew all this stuff about an unmarked, unidentifiable cable. Did I mention overpriced???[/quote:9fe606677e]

All of the info I mentioned is available via a visual inspection of the item pictured. And a auditory comparison of the two cables I had tried before with this third one also revealed a great deal.

After PayPal's cut, postage, and the cost of the padded shipping envelope, I'm raking in a tremendous, wealth-building profit of slightly more than a buck. Consider that "handling."

You're certainly entitled to your opinion, Philly, but contrary to the inference, I'm not out to fleece anyone here.

(Thanks for the support, jdef!)

Found mine at a local electronics store.

@$7.00 total cost

Smoothing out the volume of your MP3's makes a big difference too. Utilities are available that can do that.

I already had a good cable, but can appreciate Rodaniels posting of the specs for better cables whether or not you buy the ones he has.

I was merely stating it odd that when asked what brand and part number it was by another member, so that others may buy it on their own, saving any shipping charges, the cable came in a plain, unmarked bag. Seemed a bit odd to me, that he knew so much without any label on the bag, I guess it didn't to anyone else. Touchy little thread, isn't it? :?

Not sure what you mean by touchy. If you were shocked that people responded to your message, I'd say you were the touchy one. :roll:

I was the one that asked Rob for the detail so I could get it locally. The price didn't strike me as out of line given the properties of the cable. I finally found one yesterday at Best Buy for $5, but it is a bare bones cable. I haven't yet tried it in my E.

Peace,
-jdef

Somewhere else in this forum someone mentioned a 1 ft. Radio Shack cable that I picked up for I think $4.00. Works great on my portable Sangean DT-300VW AM/FM/TV/WX radio (from CCrane.com)so I can listen to the news on my way home from work. But I'm not talking about digital quality here. Just a plain vanilla 1 ft. cable that seems to work great for those of you into simple. I may end up with the higher priced one if I get a MP3 player though too! All good information to know. Thanks everyone!
By the way the Sangean fits perfectly in the space below the Aux input. Couldn't have asked for better! 8)

I got the Monster Cable and it works great on my XM Delphi SkyFi (which is also great). Working on a more permanent install for the Delphi. I picked up an Antenna Specialists 'through-glass' antenna, which will allow for the wiring to be 100% internal to the car and free up the magnetic antenna for rentals and my wife's car on long trips.

peace out,
-jdef

I went to Best Buy and bought the $5 one...it works great...I will really only be using my MP3 player for road trips....sinceash my drive to work is only 7 miles...and the in dash CD player works well for that short of a commute.

Actually the only time I have used the radio was on the drive home from the dealer.

Diane

Just in case anyone was interested, I thought I'd mention that there are still a couple of these cables left. They're $10 each, including shipping. Send me an email for more info or to arrange a purchase.

http://2dolphins.com/images/element/audiocable1.jpg

" This 6-foot patch cable has standard 3.5mm (1/8") male stereo mini plugs on both ends. The cable is shielded and features integrated RF chokes at both ends to prevent signal interference and produce a noticeably crisper and cleaner sound. This cable connects any source with a minijack stereo output (PDA, portable CD, MD, or MP3 player) to the digital media auxiliary jack on EX model Elements.

Funny how he knew all this stuff about an unmarked, unidentifiable cable.
Did I mention overpriced???"

Well, he may have been able to tell that it had chokes by the bulges near the connecters as those are the chokes. And if you know anything about electronics, especially computer or audio electronics, you almost never have a cable that is not shielded but has chokes.

As for price - Not enough facts to discern if it is worth it. Perhaps it is, but the cable is overkill for the mentioned use. Do you really need a cable with chokes at either end for audio in your auto? I don't know. To each his own.
8)
[/quote]

There at Fry's Electronics for 2.79. Works great.