my entire system is run through a clarion preamp. why is it that when i play music on my ipod, i cannot get nearly the same volume as i can when i play a cd through my head unit? i am using a monster cable mini jack to connect my ipod to the back of the preamp...

If the Clarion pre-amp is like my Soundstream it probably has input gain sensitivity adjustments, check the owners manual. You can just turn them up. I would guess that the Ipod output signal is about 2v based on how it compares to my head unit. I use a sendstation firewire/audio input plug to extract the line output from the ipod. It's not necessarily louder but it's a little bit cleaner signal since it avoids the ipods built in headphone amp. You might also consider adding an exteral signal booster like a boost-a-roo if you cannot adjust the input gains on your pre-amp.

Radio shack has a headphone jack booster that takes 2 AA and boosts the signal really well. <BR>I have had the same AA's for a month now and are still running strong. <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.radioshack.com/sm-3-way-headphone-volume-booster--pi-2103656.html" target="_blank">http://www.radioshack.com/sm-3-way-headphone-volume-booster--pi-2103656.html</a>

There is a download to boost the output of your IPOD, it's called Ipodup or something. Do a search, I think Grant posted about it a while back. I haven't tried it, I run a 6ch preamp.

any thoughts on something like this? <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.simpl.com/products.html" target="_blank">http://www.simpl.com/products.html</a>

That would do it. It might make it somewhat difficult to mount the ipod, depending on how you want to do that. One of the clamp type mounts would work.

go to itunes and click "edit" (its right up there by the "file" button) at the bottom is "preferences" click it, and itll bring up a window and click the playback file tab (at the top) and go to sound enhancer and put it on high. <BR> <BR>that makes all music coming out of your ipod louder. it definately worked for me and its FREE!