[selmeralto]

I wonder if someone can help me troubleshoot an Aux-In issue.

I transferred some files from CDs to a USB using Exact Audio Copy. The files play on my computer. When I connect the USB to the Aux-In jack in the center armrest, however, I can't seem to get the files to play. I get a message "AUX device is not connected or transfer of track information is not supported by the Aux device." The files were created as WAV files by Exact Audio Copy.

If there's any other information you might need to diagnose I'd be happy to supply what I can.

Many thanks in advance.

[2msport]

Do you mean USB input?

A USB interface will not connect to the 3.5mm aux-in.

The USB stick needs to be formated in fat32.

Also I'm not 100% but I don't think the car supports WAV. Try mp3 or AAC.

[selmeralto]

Thanks for the quick reply. I was under the impression that the highest quality audio setup with the Harmon Kardon setup was to use FLAC files from a USB, connected to the Aux-In ... and that this set up was better than connecting via the USB interface compresses the files whereas the Aux-In doesn't.

[Grave]

How did you connect USB to a 3.5mm Aux-in ?

You get best result connecting directly your key in usb armrest.

Wav files is not a good idea because they don't supports tags andBMW HU uses these tags to recognize files.

Don't know if Business GPS can play Flacs files but they work fine with professional GPS.

With the professional GPS, don't copy your files in bmw hard drive because they will be transcoded in something like MP3 256K and the result seems to be crappy.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by Grave

How did you connect USB to a 3.5mm Aux-in ?

You get best result connecting directly your key in usb armrest.

Wav files is not a good idea because they don't supports tags andBMW HU uses these tags to recognize files.

Don't know if Business GPS can play Flacs files but they work fine with professional GPS.

With the professional GPS, don't copy your files in bmw hard drive because they will be transcoded in something like MP3 256K and the result seems to be crappy.

Grave is exactly right: WAV files aren't ideal and are not very cross-platform compatible (i.e., they don't often like being on a FAT32-formatted device) partially because of the metadata issue he refers to ('tags'). Definitely try FLAC ...

... and the USB input is not the same thing as the auxiliary input ("Aux In"). They are side-by-side and share the same assembly in the 2-series but are not the same thing. You can have devices hooked into both simultaneously. One is digital (USB, female) and the other is analog (Aux In, via stereo 3.5mm jack, female). One can supply power (USB), the other can't (Aux In).

[2msport]

I agree with Grave. Best quality is to connect your phone or a USB stick to the USB input into your armrest. I read one person's opinion on here that the AUX is better quality and quite honestly that's the silliest thing I've ever heard. A quick listen would clearly show otherwise, let alone knowing the difference between digital and anolog... Any way I forget about the file formats but mp3 would be a safe bet.

[2msport]

Don't waste your time with the AUX input. It will cut the low and high frequencies

[selmeralto]

Thanks to all. This has helped to focus my mind, including remembering a previous discussion on the forum. It seems there are at least four issues here:

1. Aux-In v. USB compression: there is a question whether music played on the USB suffers from greater compression from the HK head than input through the Aux-In. I gather there is some disagreement about this.

2. HK USB file readability: if using the USB, which files can be reliably read by the HK system? In addition, FLAC files offer metadata compatibility; wav files don't.

3. Power: Aux-In requires a powered device such as a phone or a dedicated player whereas a USB flash drive can be read (only) by the USB input.

4. Powered devices: If using the Aux-In which device would give the best results: a phone or a dedicated player such as a FLAC player? I gather the answer is the FLAC player but that comes at a cost of several hundred dollars.

Does this seem about right?

[Cloud IX]

Originally Posted by 2msport

Don't waste your time with the AUX input. It will cut the low and high frequencies

Just wondering where you are getting this info since a lot of people here say AUX is the best way to go since the digital inputs are modified by the headunit.

From my personal experience, a FLAC file via Aux sounded much better than via USB.

I do have an bimmertech amp though

[2msport]

Originally Posted by Cloud IX

Just wondering where you are getting this info since a lot of people here say AUX is the best way to go since the digital inputs are modified by the headunit.

Since the two years I've been on the forum the general consensus I've seen is USB is better. And using my own ears it was obvious USB sounds better. Whether the digital input modifies the signal doesn't matter to me. The end result is it sounds much better. When I first coded in enhanced Bluetooth I asked a few friends opinions and it was blatantly obviously which one sounded better. The USB signal sounds clearer, has more bass and the highs are much cleaner. And the soundstage is better as well. Honestly this is very strange there's even a difference in opinion. Anolog does have its advantages in certain high quality systems but in this case where the system needs as much help as possible to sound good, USB all the way. To each his own. I have no doubts in my opinion though.

[Cloud IX]

Considering all the professionals are tuning using Aux via Tech like an AK120, along with a lot of posts on bimmertech saying Aux is superior, along with my own ears, I stick with Aux. I'll go with the credentials and facts over your opinion.

Don't get me wrong, the USB and Bluetooth offer a lot more convenience, but if you want the best quality, I don't think anyone who knows anything about audio will say a USB input is superior to a true mono Aux input via something like an AK120.

Then again, hamburger meat might be the best to someone who has never tasted a high end steak. lol. I'm done with this thread. To each his own. =D

[RDKing2]

If you insert into the USB jack do the files play when you select USB as the device? What are you trying to use a USB to 3.5mm cable to connect to the aux jack? It will never play that way. The 3.5mm jack will only use a processed line level analog signal. Simply put, If you plug an ipod into the usb using the sync/charge cable the car is doing the processing. If ipod is plugged in via 3.5mm headphone jack the ipod is doing the processing and D/A conversion. By plugging a USB with music only files on it you are using the cars software "player" as well.

[2msport]

Alright, i'll plug my Pico into it again. I'm pretty sure it comes down personal preference

[selmeralto]

Originally Posted by RDKing2

If you insert into the USB jack do the files play when you select USB as the device? What are you trying to use a USB to 3.5mm cable to connect to the aux jack? It will never play that way. The 3.5mm jack will only use a processed line level analog signal. Simply put, If you plug an ipod into the usb using the sync/charge cable the car is doing the processing. If ipod is plugged in via 3.5mm headphone jack the ipod is doing the processing and D/A conversion. By plugging a USB with music only files on it you are using the cars software "player" as well.

Got it. Very clear. Thanks.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by 2msport

I agree with Grave. Best quality is to connect your phone or a USB stick to the USB input into your armrest. I read one person's opinion on here that the AUX is better quality and quite honestly that's the silliest thing I've ever heard. A quick listen would clearly show otherwise, let alone knowing the difference between digital and anolog... Any way I forget about the file formats but mp3 would be a safe bet.

That person would be me -- and on its face, the potential reason the Aux In would cut high and low frequencies has everything to do with the source, NOT the jack.

DAPs with a stereo output balanced for headphones -- particularly for low-efficiency ones such as most earbuds -- will likely have this effect because the signal is effectively overloading the input, creating a type of distortion that naturally compresses the signal. DAPs with an output balanced for lower-ohm, less 'hot' inputs will have a far lower instance of this, if even at all.

The unknown here is how the Aux In is balanced in terms of what is plugged into it. A high-quality DAP with a dedicated Aux output separate from the headphone output is key to utilizing the Aux In properly -- and the consensus among people who have used such a DAP is that the Aux In jack is as high a quality as the USB for hi-res material -- and is potentially higher quality depending on the source DAP.

What's turned me off personally from all of this is this thread. BMW is using a very low-quality part for the Aux In jack - and has continued to use that same part in both BMWs and MINIs more than three years after a Service Bulletin was issued for it. I've apparently got one of the bad units, and it's kind of the final straw for me in terms of the system. Save for the possibility of an amp, I'm done with trying to improve it.

[2msport]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

That person would be me -- and on its face, the potential reason the Aux In would cut high and low frequencies has everything to do with the source, NOT the jack.

DAPs with a stereo output balanced for headphones -- particularly for low-efficiency ones such as most earbuds -- will likely have this effect because the signal is effectively overloading the input, creating a type of distortion that naturally compresses the signal. DAPs with an output balanced for lower-ohm, less 'hot' inputs will have a far lower instance of this, if even at all.

The unknown here is how the Aux In is balanced in terms of what is plugged into it. A high-quality DAP with a dedicated Aux output separate from the headphone output is key to utilizing the Aux In properly -- and the consensus among people who have used such a DAP is that the Aux In jack is as high a quality as the USB for hi-res material -- and is potentially higher quality depending on the source DAP.

What's turned me off personally from all of this is this thread. BMW is using a very low-quality part for the Aux In jack - and has continued to use that same part in both BMWs and MINIs more than three years after a Service Bulletin was issued for it. I've apparently got one of the bad units, and it's kind of the final straw for me in terms of the system. Save for the possibility of an amp, I'm done with trying to improve it.

Well alright I was wrong. I A-B'd the USB input against the AUX input. Using my MBP > kimber cable > headamp Pico DAC/AMP > audioquest evergreen 3.5mm. The AUX input has more resolution and overall a clearer sound. Although the USB input has a wider soundstage which I found interesting. I'm assuming that has to do with BMWs digital processing. Certain voices and instruments would come through more pronounced left and the right, giving a more 3D/playful image. But yes the sound quality was better with the AUX which I prefer. Thanks for info! When you think you have it all figured out....

[fancyfl1ght]

Originally Posted by 2msport

Well alright I was wrong. I A-B'd the USB input against the AUX input. Using my MBP > kimber cable > headamp Pico DAC/AMP > audioquest evergreen 3.5mm. The AUX input has more resolution and overall a clearer sound. Although the USB input has a wider soundstage which I found interesting. I'm assuming that has to do with BMWs digital processing. Certain voices and instruments would come through more pronounced left and the right, giving a more 3D/playful image. But yes the sound quality was better with the AUX which I prefer. Thanks for info! When you think you have it all figured out....

I have the HiFi standard audio. Played Pandora via BMW standard bluetooth (not enhanced). Very flat and had to crank up the volume to hear music.

Plugged in a Viseo Tune2air Bluetooth adapter that plugs into the USB port and the AUX port. Clicked the volume input to 10 on the BMW AUX input control, it has a range of 0-20. The Viseo Simulates an iPod player as far as the car is concerned.

Wow huge sound difference. The cheap paper factory speakers and the universally hated hifi audio came to life. So impressed that I will not buy speaker or amp replacement.

It is a good thing no one know about this. BMW and a lot of vendors may loose out big on this!

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by fancyfl1ght

Wow huge sound difference. The cheap paper factory speakers and the universally hated hifi audio came to life. So impressed that I will not buy speaker or amp replacement.

Ohhh but just imagine how much better upgraded speakers will make it sound ... two pair of quality 4-inch coaxials will run you $300, tops; adapters will be another $20-$40. That's all.

Do it. Doit. doooooooit.

[BentZero]

Originally Posted by fancyfl1ght

I have the HiFi standard audio. Played Pandora via BMW standard bluetooth (not enhanced). Very flat and had to crank up the volume to hear music.

Plugged in a Viseo Tune2air Bluetooth adapter that plugs into the USB port and the AUX port. Clicked the volume input to 10 on the BMW AUX input control, it has a range of 0-20. The Viseo Simulates an iPod player as far as the car is concerned.

Wow huge sound difference. The cheap paper factory speakers and the universally hated hifi audio came to life. So impressed that I will not buy speaker or amp replacement.

It is a good thing no one know about this. BMW and a lot of vendors may loose out big on this!

Hmm, I enabled enhanced Bluetooth via coding. Do you think this would still be worth it? I stream amazon prime music and I have to turn the volume up to at least 80% with my hi-fi system in order to get acceptable sound. :/

[eflatminor]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

Ohhh but just imagine how much better upgraded speakers will make it sound ... two pair of quality 4-inch coaxials will run you $300, tops; adapters will be another $20-$40. That's all.

Do it. Doit. doooooooit.

This!^

[fancyfl1ght]

Originally Posted by BentZero

Hmm, I enabled enhanced Bluetooth via coding. Do you think this would still be worth it? I stream amazon prime music and I have to turn the volume up to at least 80% with my hi-fi system in order to get acceptable sound. :/

I had to crank it to get any sound from bluetooth. That's why I tried the AUX route. Plus Viseeo has really nice dual Analog to Digital Converters (ADC) and Digital to Analog Converters (DAC). They are definitely better than the ones used in the HiFi audio.

I also had a similar setup in my Audi Q7 with the basic stereo and it sounds just as good as the Bose. B&O is just expensive. Had it in my Q5 and the sound wasn't worth $3500. A decent Home Theater Amp could be had at that price rather than dumping it on a car amp and a listening space that is compromised to say the least for critical listening.

[Beartato]

The trick is just using CDs.