I'm building a 72 VW bug for a daily driver. The previous owner started smoothing the dash and I'm finishing the project. I really want a totally smooth dash with no stereo head unit. I want to run my system off of an Ipod connected to an amp. I know it can be done because some other VW guys are doing it, but I'm confused about a couple of things. First, how does the system power on? Do I just connect the turn-on lead from the amp to a switched power source? Second, what do I do for volume control? I need to wrap my head around these things before I start filling in the radio opening in case I shouldn't do it

 

you will need to wire the amps remote wire to a switched power source.. usually the ignition.. next you will need to wire the ipod to a line driver to increase the input voltage for the amps.. you can run the 3.5mm jack-rca cable to connect the ipod to the line driver and the line driver to the amps.. you will need to keep the ipod charged lol

 

So how will I adjust volume? Via Ipod or do they make something to tackle this?

 

I did this for a while with an EQ and a 1/8th inch jack-to-RCA adapter. Adjusted volume with iPod. Worked great, wanted a headunit though. Just be careful with the volume, figure out where it gets distorted at and keep it a couple notches below that. If you have a compatible iPod I suggest checking out Rockbox. It has a lot of advanced EQ and audio settings that make it just like, if not better than most headunits.

 

the ipod volume is a good choice.. just like he said you need to know where it distorts at.. best way to do that is to tune the amps to highest volume on the ipod that way if you crank it all the way up it still won't distort and blow anything

 

Well, this is one way to do it. However, not very safe. Once your iPod goes above (I think) 75% volume it starts to amplify it. Amplification causes clipping, clipping destroys speakers. You may want to do that, but at 75% volume then just go to the volume cap in your settings on your iPod and set it to 75%.

 

volume cap on the ipod?? idk what ipod you have.. i don't have that setting.. but if the 75% thing is correct the do it at that

 

I think all of the updated firmwares for any iPod 2006 and up have the adjustable volume cap. I think you can also set it in iTunes.

 

oh idk my screen doesn't work on mine its a full time in car ipod so i have no idea whats on there.. never had it on my other ones though lol so idk

 

the best way to do this is to run a audio control dqxs - 1/8 jack to rca input to aux, it is a line driver, cross over and parametric eq, the remote knob can be programed as a volume knob.