iLoungeiLounge
  • News
    • Apple
      • AirPods Pro
      • AirPlay
      • Apps
        • Apple Music
      • iCloud
      • iTunes
      • HealthKit
      • HomeKit
      • HomePod
      • iOS 13
      • Apple Pay
      • Apple TV
      • Siri
    • Rumors
    • Humor
    • Technology
      • CES
    • Daily Deals
    • Articles
    • Web Stories
  • iPhone
    • iPhone Accessories
  • iPad
  • iPod
    • iPod Accessories
  • Apple Watch
    • Apple Watch Accessories
  • Mac
    • MacBook Air
    • MacBook Pro
  • Reviews
    • App Reviews
  • How-to
    • Ask iLounge
Font ResizerAa
iLoungeiLounge
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • News
    • Apple
    • Rumors
    • Humor
    • Technology
    • Daily Deals
    • Articles
    • Web Stories
  • iPhone
    • iPhone Accessories
  • iPad
  • iPod
    • iPod Accessories
  • Apple Watch
    • Apple Watch Accessories
  • Mac
    • MacBook Air
    • MacBook Pro
  • Reviews
    • App Reviews
  • How-to
    • Ask iLounge
Follow US

How-to › Ask iLounge

Ask iLoungeiPodReviews

Car line-out solutions

Last updated: May 16, 2021 5:21 pm UTC
By Jesse Hollington

Q: My car has an auxiliary input jack, which accepts a “plug” the same size as the headphone jack. I have a cable that has a headphone jack-sized plug on each end, and can connect my iPod from its headphone jack to the AUX plug in the car.

Advertisements

However, I’m wondering if there is a cable or device that would connect my iPod through the bottom iPod connector to the AUX input in my car? I assume the quality of sound from the iPod to the AUX input would be better through the Dock Connector, but is that right?

– Patrick

A: The main advantage of using the Dock Connector is that it is an un-amplified “line-out” signal, rather than passing through the iPod’s internal headphone amplifier.  This means that you do get a theoretically cleaner sound, and the iPod volume control itself has no effect on the audio output—rather the audio is sent via the Dock Connector at a standard level.

Advertisements

There are a few solutions that can be used to provide line-out capability via the Dock Connector.  The most basic solution is one of the SendStation PocketDock products, such as the PocketDock Line Out USB (iLounge rating: A- or the SendStation PocketDock AV (iLounge rating: NR), which provides both audio and video output.

The SendStation PocketDock solutions also have the advantage of being ultra-portable, and can therefore be used in many places other than your car.

For car-specific accessories, there are numerous very sophisticated car-kit solutions for the iPod, and you can find many options in our Car Power Chargers, Kits and Adapters reviews.  However, one of our preferred solutions for basic portable car use is the Belkin Auto Kit (iLounge rating: B+).

Advertisements

Latest News
The 13-inch M4 MacBook Air 256GB is $150 Off
The 13-inch M4 MacBook Air 256GB is $150 Off
1 Min Read
New Dynamic Island to Have ‘Significant’ Upgrades
New Dynamic Island to Have ‘Significant’ Upgrades
1 Min Read
Samsung Might Not Include a ‘Plus’ Phone Model Next Year
Samsung Might Not Include a ‘Plus’ Phone Model Next Year
1 Min Read
The 128GB iPad Mini 7 Wi-Fi is $120 Off
The 128GB iPad Mini 7 Wi-Fi is $120 Off
1 Min Read
New Apple TV+ ‘Chief of War’ Trailer Released
New Apple TV+ ‘Chief of War’ Trailer Released
1 Min Read
New ‘Improved’ Vision Pro to Launch This Year
New ‘Improved’ Vision Pro to Launch This Year
1 Min Read
‘The Morning Show’ Season 4 Premieres on September
‘The Morning Show’ Season 4 Premieres on September
1 Min Read
The AirPods Pro 2 is $100 Off
The AirPods Pro 2 is $100 Off
1 Min Read
OLED MacBook Pro to be Delayed
OLED MacBook Pro to be Delayed
1 Min Read
‘Trash Can’ Mac Pro Moves to the Apple Vintage List
‘Trash Can’ Mac Pro Moves to the Apple Vintage List
1 Min Read
Next Apple Studio Display Slated for 2026
Next Apple Studio Display Slated for 2026
1 Min Read
The 11-inch M3 iPad Air WiFi 128GB is $120 Off
The 11-inch M3 iPad Air WiFi 128GB is $120 Off
1 Min Read

iLounge logo

iLounge is an independent resource for all things iPod, iPhone, iPad, and beyond. iPod, iPhone, iPad, iTunes, Apple TV, and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc.

This website is not affiliated with Apple Inc.
iLounge © 2001 - 2025. All Rights Reserved.
  • Contact Us
  • Submit News
  • About Us
  • Forums
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?