Review: Connects2 USB MP3 Interface (Alternative to Xcarlink/Dension/GROM)

[Ryggwelter]

I’ve been looking to add an MP3 interface to my A4 for some time now. I don’t have an iPod and didn’t want to change the head unit so my best option was one of those little USB adapter boxes. I was favoring the Xcarlink then I discovered the Connects2 unit – at little more than half the price I decided to give it a go.

Car: 2005 Audi A4
Head unit: Concert 2 with Mini ISO connectors
Interface: Connects2 CTAADUSB003
Supplier: Liquidice-2008 on EBay (UK)
Price: £55.93 inc delivery

On opening the box I was pleasantly surprised to see that the unit doesn’t look like the pictures on EBay or the Connects2 website, instead it appears to be an updated unit that looks identical to the current Xcarlink unit! It includes a slot for SD, a mini USB type connector with lead for the 3.5mm Aux input and the standard USB for a memory stick.

Installation was straight forward but the supplied instructions didn’t refer to the unit supplied:
I had decided to mount the unit in the glovebox so I removed it first. I drilled and filed a hole in the glovebox big enough to squeeze the connectors through but small enough that the unit hides the hole.
Remove the head unit (2 keys supplied)
Remove the blue/yellow/green connector from the head unit and separate the blue section by releasing the clip.
Take the supplied adapter harness but unclip the blue connector from the yellow/green section and replace it with the blue connector from the USB interface. Plug the adapter harness in to the head unit and the original yellow/green connector into the adapter harness. Plug the original blue connector in to the USB interface harness.
Connect the earth lead to a suitable vehicle chassis point e.g. the radio metalwork. MUST DO THIS.
I had an additional black and a white lead – I left these disconnected but wound them in insulation tape first to prevent shorts.
Test the unit and refit everything.

I wanted to mount the unit on its side in the glovebox but it was just too big to fit in the top shelf. However I found that the trim strips on the Connects2 box unclip making it just small enough to squeeze in (the front panel falls off when you do this as it was held on by the trim strips but a drop of Super Glue sorted that). It now squeezes in a treat with the USB stick at the bottom protected from knocks (check the glovebox door closes first) and the Aux lead at the top for feeding out of the glovebox to connect to my satnav/phone mounted nearby. See picture.


In use you have to accept some limitations common to most of these boxes that mimic CD autochangers:
Your music needs to be organised in 6 folders named CD01 to CD06. (I put several albums under one folder and use windows to block rename the tracks as I go so they stay in order)
Maximum of 99 tracks per folder.
Sub folders may be supported but it didn’t appear work on my unit.
No track / ID3 text – the head unit can only display CD and track numbers (I believe the Dension 300 may be able to display more info on the dash but it is much more expensive).

After that its great.
The sound quality from the USB/SD is great – it will be just the same as the standard CD player and as any other similar USB or iPod unit.
The existing car controls continue to work.
The AUX input sounded great too (this was a surprise). Its probably not quite as good as the digital link and when connected to my Nokia phone on full volume is slightly quieter but the differences are negligible to me. It switches to AUX when there is no USB or SD card plugged in.
It supports SDHC cards (this too was a surprise) so a 4GB card is spot on (I recon 594 tacks will be about 3GB)
After switching the radio on, it returns to the last point being played.
I’ve been using it for a few days and, so far, no glitches, jumps or other issues.

In summary, I can live with reduced folder structure (less distracting when driving), it sounds as good as possible and it was only £56 - bargain.

[nickoo0]

did the back of your stereo look like mine as I cant seem to work out how to connect it up

https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...ad.php?t=97786

[stelly]

Hi,
Having read your installation instructions I thought I'd give the Connect2 CTAADUSB003 a go.
It arrived last Friday and I took it to a local car audio centre for installation. Unfortunately they said that the unit can't be fitted to my car (it's an Audi A6, registered Sept 2004, with MMI ... amp and radio in the boot).
I know your instructions don't specifically mention MMI, but I wondered if you can confirm two things:

Firstly, that this unit isn't suitable for an Audi A6 with MMI.
Secondly, do you know of any similar units that would be suitable?

Many Thanks
Graham

[Ryggwelter]

Hi,
Having read your installation instructions I thought I'd give the Connect2 CTAADUSB003 a go.
It arrived last Friday and I took it to a local car audio centre for installation. Unfortunately they said that the unit can't be fitted to my car (it's an Audi A6, registered Sept 2004, with MMI ... amp and radio in the boot).
I know your instructions don't specifically mention MMI, but I wondered if you can confirm two things:

Firstly, that this unit isn't suitable for an Audi A6 with MMI.
Secondly, do you know of any similar units that would be suitable?

Many Thanks
Graham

Hi Graham,

I'm afraid I'm not going to be of much use as I have no experience of MMI.
The instructions with the Connect2 unit don't mention MMI at all but if the MMI system interconnect is all fibre optic, then this isn't supported.
I had a quick search and XCarLink produce an Aux in unit for MMI but that is just for interfacing an external audio device such as an MP3 player (i.e. its not a USB or SD interface)
Other posts suggests it may be possible to retrofit the AMI and then its possible to add a USB lead to that.
Hopefully someone with an MMI system who's done this can offer more knowledgeable support.

Good luck with your research...hope you find a solution.

Cheers

[stelly]

Many thanks for the quick response, it's much appreciated.

I've looked at the XCarLink and Dension Gateway 300/500 options, but not sure if any of these are ideal (especially when the cost reaches around £300). I may give Audi a call this morning and ask if an upgrade unit is available at a "sensible" price).

Thanks again.

[stelly]

Just a quick update.
I purchased a Dension Gateway and I'm absolutely delighted with it. I've added a 32Gb usb stick full of music etc and there seems no limit to the number of folders, albums, artists or tracks. Top purchase. NOTE: I had previously tried the Connect2 from XCarLink, but it wasn't suitable for an A6.