Looking for Ipod replacementfor car use

Hello. My Ipod Classic recently died and I'm looking for something to replace it. Here's the problem, I need something that will hook up via USB like the Ipod. I have a factory installed system in my car that only allows for USB. I've tried an Ipod Touch but after playing with the EQ settings it still doesn't deliver the same sound as the classic did. I've looked at the new Sony Walkman but that will only do Bluetooth in the car and I can do that with a phone or the touch. I've also tried a portable HDD to a limited success, it will play MP3 's but not much else. Am I stuck with the ipod?

 

My experience has been that it very much depends on the car. In my case, my iPod Video will work with the USB port, but it will only read MP3's. AAC's are a no-go, and that's exactly the same with any music player or thumb drive I use. The only way I can get AAC's to play is via a Bluetooth connection or the line in.

 

Thanks for the reply. My ipod will play Apple Lossless in the car so it does have that going for it so I might have to stick with it. If I could do a line in I would have a lot more choices.

 

What died? Parts may be replaceable. (I changed out the battery and hd in my ipod video. Case for classic may be a little more difficult but doable.

 

HD shot. The guy at the Apple Store said there was no replacement for it in the store since its now considered obsolete. Thinking about seeing if there is someplace to send it to be refurbished.

 

How about using an old iPhone if you have it? Granted the storage is not what the Classic is, but my old iPhone 3 and iPhone 4 are in use as "iPods" in my car since I upgraded to iPhone 5.

 

Older iPods are generally easy to find at your local pawn shop. I also still have my original iPhone in service as an iPod .

Is the USB port an iPod dedicated port of will it accept a memory stick? I've had a couple cars that read files off a flash drive plugged in.

 

https://www.ifixit.com/Store/iPod/iPod-Classic-160-GB-Thin-Hard-Drive/IF130-023-1

I fixit has replacement hds, might be cheaper on eBay.

 

rapidrepair.com - they are over priced but in the very least you will get the part number you need and can find it elsewhere cheaper. I swapped out the HD on an Ipod video a while back, easy and rather straight forward.

You can also likely get a larger HDD, and in the end you will have something you know works.

 

The sound from an ipod touch should be no different than the sound from an ipod classic - the head unit receives a line-out signal or a digital signal with no audio processing. The EQ settings on the ipod are bypassed in this configuration - any EQ adjustments are done on the head unit.

I replaced my in-car classic with a touch about a year ago. IMO the touch is a better choice for car interiors - heat and cold are not good for spinning hard drives. I've had less communication pauses between the ipod and the head units (Pioneer POS (piece of scrap) with touch screen, and 2012 Honda Civic head unit).

Without knowing more details, I would not stray from the ipod family. The USB connection to the head unit is often only configured to work with ipods.

 

http://www.head-fi.org/t/643307/ipod-classic-hdd-to-sd-cf-conversion-tarkan-akdam-iflash-mkii

Stick an SD card in it. My dad's iPod Classic HDD died and I did this mod on it. It's cheaper than buying a new one.

 

Exactly! I've gone through several iPods in cars and the Louisiana heat kills them. I've had much better luck with an old iPhone or a Touch. I know many folks feel like they have to carry every song in their library, but I can say that I have been happier since I cut mine down to just the stuff I want in the car. Navigating a huge library in the car is a PITA anyway.

 

Do most new car stereo's still have a stereo mini-jack for input?

Thanks!

 

My 2008 Volkswagen does. I'm assuming you mean the 3.5mm jack?

 

Yes, 3.5mm jack. Do all the new cars have this input?
Need to play PONO.

Thanks!

 

Flash drive with mp3's on it.

 

Thanks for the reply. The touch should sound the same but there is a big difference in the sound. I might play around with it some more. I have a 2015 Honda Accord and from what I can tell the head unit is configured to work with ipods as you suggested.

 

Thanks everyone for the replies suggestions and links.