For the first time, I plugged my MP3 player through the AUX input and noticed that I would get an electronic thunk sound through the speakers when I manually changed to the next tune. Is this my (Sansa) MP3 player or the stereo system. Note I do not hear this when I listen with the earbuds. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

Don't know. I plug my iPod in to the AUX jack from time-to-time, and I haven't heard anything like you describe.

 

I use my iPod too every now and then, but have no issues whatsoever....mebbe urs is an isolated issue. Mebbe try borrowing a iPod from a friend or some and see if it still happens.

 

You need a ground wire (I forget the proper name)...

 

I'd guess it's in your player or the wire. I don't have an iPod, just a little Creative Muvo and it works fine without clicks or strange noises.

 

Ookpik, I have a Sansa mp3 player too. I am unable to find a cable that connects directly from the player to the aux input. What did you use, and were did you find it??

 

Thanks to all for your replies. I think it is my (Inexpensive)Sandisk Sansa unit as I plugged it into my computer and got the same thing. I will try my son's (higher end) unit and see.

wes878 I got my cable from Best Buy (Canada) It is a "Recoton 6' Mini Stereo Cable (ACW343)". If you are in the US, Best Buy shows a "Dynex® 6' 3.5mm Stereo Extension Cable" on their web site. This is just a standard 3.5mm male to male cable. It can also be found at Radio Shack ( or The Source) but sells for more. I payed $7.50 cdn at Best Buy and Radio Shack wanted $17.00 cdn. Hope this helps.

 

I have heard that this method drastically reduces sound quality. How does it sound to you? The ipod has a cord that goes from the actual connector (not the jack) to a 3.5mm cord. I have heard this sounds much better. I can't find anything compareable to that on the sansa.

 

If I understand you correctly you want to use the USB connection on the Sansa. I have a 1gb unit and if I connect it to my computer with the USB cable it will download to the Sansa but I cannot play back to the computer as far as I know. You can get a USB to 3.5 mm cable. I think I saw one from a company called Tiger Direct which you can find online. As far as the sound goes it is fine but you must put the volume on the MP3 at full or you won't hear very much even if you turn up the volume on the car. I have read that the ipods can be connected in various ways but haven't looked into it. Maybe that is why many people buy them.

 

I use the headphone-to-aux jack method to connect my ipod from time to time and experience good sound quality, although I have not tried any other kind of connection, it would not surprise me if you'd get better sound quality.

My preferred method for listening to music now is the mp3 playback feature of the cd player. I get 700mb discs and load them with songs in mp3 format (I use itunes). I can get about 120 songs/disc (x 6 discs and that's a pretty good collection). So I create different playlists for different moods I might be in, burn an mp3 cd, and run them in random play mode. Sound quality is excellent. BTW, you don't have to run them random but can also navigate the folders to select songs you want. I don't do this simply because I don't want to fumble with buttons while I drive, and I like being surprised at the next song.