How to use AirPort Express with jack (not plug) iPod connector?

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Level 2

187 points

How to use AirPort Express with jack (not plug) iPod connector?

I'm trying to do something a little tricky (for me at least).

I recently bought a house that has a nice, older sound system built in with speakers in many rooms. It was originally designed for CDs, tapes, etc... not wireless, iTunes, etc. But that's what I want to use. I want to be able to play music on ny iPhone 6 and have it come out of the speakers in various rooms.

The one way I think it could work is to use the system's iPod plug. I'm thinking of hooking up an old AirPort Express that have to the iPod plug, and then play my music via wifi to it, which would then run the music through the amp to the speakers.

The thing I can't figure out is what type of cord I need to run from the AirPort to the iPod plug on the A/V equipment. The plug uses the older-style iPod slot, the wide skinny one about 7/8" x 1/8". The closest cord I can find is USB to an iPod plug. The USB is fine, but I need the opposite of a plug, i.e., the jack/receptacle like you see on the bottom of an iPod.

Does anyone know what that's called or where to get one?

iPhone 6, iOS 8.1.2

Posted on Aug 23, 2015 8:51 AM

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Answer 1

Tesserax

Level 10

159,998 points

Aug 23, 2015 10:54 AM in response to atthecshore

The AirPort Express' audio port will only work with either an optical digital or analog 3.5mm minijack. That would mean that your A/V equipment would need to provide either an optical digital or RCA-type analog audio input ports to work with currently available cables. I am not aware of anyone that provides either of these type of cables with a minijack on one end and a "iPod" type connector on the other.

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Answer 2

atthecshore Author

Level 2

187 points

Aug 23, 2015 11:16 AM in response to Tesserax

Tesserax said I would need... "a cable with a minijack on one end and a "iPod" type connector on the other."

Good point, I'd have to use the 3.5mm minijack. And I agree that's the kind of cable I"d need if there is such a thing.

Does anyone know if such a cable is available anywhere?

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Answer 3

Tesserax

Level 10

159,998 points

Aug 24, 2015 11:41 AM in response to atthecshore

For reference, the "older" iPod dock connector has 30-pins and supported USB, FireWire, control lines, and line-level audio. The last item is what got audio into your receiver. Note; however, as iPods changed generations, what was carried on this connector changed as well. For example video was added and FireWire was phased out. The last Apple device that featured this type of connector was phased out in 2014. All new devices now use Lightning connectors.

Again I do not know of anyone that would supply such a cable for what you are looking for. Unless your A/V receiver doesn't supply for either analog or digital audio inputs (I would be very surprised that it would not have either) you may be out of luck.

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Answer 4

atthecshore Author

Level 2

187 points

Aug 24, 2015 11:47 AM in response to Tesserax

>>>Again I do not know of anyone that would supply such a cable for what you are looking for.

I may have found one on amazon for $5. It'll be delivered tomorrow (Tuesday) so I'll know if it works or not, and will report back here for anyone that may be searching for a similar solution.

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Answer 5

Tesserax

Level 10

159,998 points

Aug 24, 2015 11:54 AM in response to atthecshore

Looks like you made a good find! Hopefully that will work for you. Please post back your results as myself and, I'm sure others. would like to know if it works.

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Answer 6

Aug 24, 2015 12:37 PM in response to atthecshore

have you seen this article on Apple.com? It may information for you.

Connect your Mac to a home stereo, iPod, iPad, musical instruments, or speakersYou can easily connect guitars, microphones, keyboards, digital music players, home stereos, and speakers to your Mac. Learn how to connect third-party audio and music devices to your Mac, and how to ...

If I understand your intent, you wish to run the music from your iPhone through the house sound system. Did you intend to connect the iPhone via wire or wifi? Do you want to walk around the house with your phone or just leave it plugged in somewhere providing the tunes?

The original AirPort Express had a 3.5 mm mini-audio jack for analog or optical digital sound. This is an output rather than an input port. It should be possible to run a jumper from it to the aux input of an amplifier. The article sited above mentions at least one type of jumper.

(mini plug to RCA) Do you have a computer with the Airport software to allow you to make any setting adjustments to the Airport Express?

Depending on the computer you have available, Airplay and iTunes should be enough.

Wi-Fi base stations: How to set up and configure AirPort Express for AirPlay and iTunesLearn how to set up and configure AirPort Express for AirPlay and iTunes.

Have fun

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Answer 7

atthecshore Author

Level 2

187 points

Aug 24, 2015 1:05 PM in response to David Hollar

Hi David,

Yes, I'm planning on doing what you describe. My Airport Express does have the mini jack; I tested it by playing music from my iPhone to it, via wifi, and listening on a set of headphones.

So now I need to run the mini jack output to an iPod adapter because I don't have easy access to the rear of the amp (it's built in and you need rails to get it out). But that iPod adapter is on the front, so that's what I'm trying to use.

I'll know tomorrow if my iPod jack-to-3.5mm cable from Amazon works, and will report back here.

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How to use AirPort Express with *jack* (not plug) iPod connector?

How to use AirPort Express with jack (not plug) iPod connector?