Aux input converter
 

OK, since I know a lot of you guys are smart on here, I thought I'd put this question to you:

I want to play both my Sirius Sporster 4 and my iPod thru the stereo in my bedroom; however, it only has 1 aux input jack, and it's located in the back, making it difficult to get to easily (without removing a large number of CDs stacked in 2 rows next to it).

Is there any kind of aux input converter out there that will plug into the aux jacks and allow 2 different devices to be plugged into the system simultaneously (not played simultaneously, tho)? I don't even know if that makes sense, but I guess the best way to describe what I'm looking for is a portable USB adapter for a laptop. I have a USB card that I can plug into my laptop that will give me 2 more USB ports to use.

Basically, I guess I'm thinking of something like a cable splitter, y'know? Something that has 2 input jacks for 2 diff devices, with the other end being the normal input jacks (2) to plug into the back of my stereo.

I hope I haven't gone too far (or long) on my description, but I just wanted to make it as clear as I could what I'm looking for.

Thanks in advance guys and I really appreciate you all helping me out!!

What is the input on the back of the stereo? If it is RCA, there are splitters. If it is 1/4", there are splitters, if it is 1/8" (mini-jack), there are splitters. Go to Radio Shack with the cable from the Ipod and explain what you want to do.

Dave

Yup, Radio Shack will have a splitter or A/B switch to select between the two input sources.

Before you got the splitter route (doable, but it can/will degrade the signal), do you have any other inputs besides "aux" that aren't being used? In other words, all inputs are created equal (except phono...do you know what those are :)?), so I use every single one of mine (optical, digital coax, and analog) on my pre-amp to hook up a dozen or so devices without having to split signals. Hope this helps...

You need an A/B switch, as well as a mini stereo to RCA converter for your iPod. As mentioned, Radio Shack has such devices. Make sure you have enough RCA cables to hook everything up.

-Z

I do indeed know what phono inputs are as I used to have an old turntable hooked up to my stereo in the aux input. The inputs on the back are a red one and a white one, and that's the only input I believe I have back there.

Oh and also, the ipod and turntable inputs fit directly into the aux on my stereo without any complications. The ipod one is a Monster cable one.

Hope that helps!

thanks guys!

PS I actually would like to hook my turntable up to it again, just gotta find room among all the CDs that have taken up residence where the turntable used to sit. :D

Just make sure that the input you plug the turntable into has a phono preamp. A "line-in" just won't sound "quite the same". ;)

I was just giving you a hard time regarding the phono (due to your age), please don't take offense :). I realize that you are REALLY into music based upon your other posts, but most 20 somethings have never listened to analog recordings, much less dig tube amps etc. What Rouxroux said is true...if you've been plugging your turntable into the "aux" (line in) jack, then you've been shortchanging yourself whether you realized it or not. "Phono" inputs are amplified in order to compensate for the low level output provided by the phono cartridge (6mV) and boost this signal to 500mV (standard line input). All other typical line inputs are the same: AUX, LINE, CD, DVD, MD, VCR, or TAPE, etc. Are you saying that you only have an "aux" input, and none of the others listed above? If that is the case, then a "splitter" (well, not really a "splitter", more of a "combiner") is what you need, but that would be my last resort. Hope this helps...

Figured for what it's worth, my stereo is a JVC MX-J10 system.
and it has a red and black aux input.

Cheers!

red=right, black=left. that's still just 1 stereo pair.