Casette adapter or FM transmitter

[rlobrecht]

I want to know people's optinions on listening to their MP3 player through their car stereo. My stereo doesn't have an AUX in on the face plate, and it has a CD changer in the trunk that I'm not willing to give up. I'm pretty much assuming that my best/easiest options are a casette adapter or FM transmitter. Which one sounds better? Does brand matter?

Thanks for your input.

[Kursplat]

I tried an FM based solution from Radio Shack that was pretty slick. But I ended up taking it back because of some poor design choices (too easy to kill batteries by hitting the "ON" button while it was in a pocket, bag, etc., the plastic battery compartent door coming off too easily, etc.) and it seemed a little too easy to cause a loss in quality. You have to position it just right. You are also subject to possible interference.

I replaced it with a tape solution and really liked the quality of the sound compared to FM. The downside is the wire and storing the device when I'm not using it.

Of course, if you don't have a cassette deck, its a no brainer. I chose to live with the hassle of the cord rather then the "wireless", but sometimes staticky, FM device.

One nice thing about an FM solution is that you can use it to, say, broadcast your notebook computer's MP3 files to your home stereo system or have fun messing with your co-workers who have radios in their offices (this was a fun test of that FM device before I took it back).

Being the gadget person that I am, I say get one of each. Whichever one you don't use in the car will find a use elsewhere.

[rlobrecht]

I ended up buying an FM transmitter, but I'm taking it back. The device is fine, but I don't have an available station. Every single frequency has at least some staticy station on it.

It looks like a cassette adapter for me.