Have just finished installing the 990/7500 in my rack. Also aquired a Kensington Entertainment Dock 500 for my 5th Gen. iPod (non video).

Now after rolling it all back in place, I find the iPod audio to be very low in zone 1 and not coming through at all on zone 2. (All other audio functions seem to work in the 2nd zone but the iPod.) I hooked it to the "Aux In" of the 990. Should I have hooked it to a video input?

Thanks; Boiling here in Maine.....

When you hooked it to "aux in" did you connect analog, or does the Kensington have a digital output? It needs to be analog for zone 2. Either way, I'd check the volume setting on the iPod to make sure it's not turned down - it's not real clear from the Kensington page , but a note in the FAQ indicated that the line output level may be tied to the iPod's volume setting.

I have a third gen iPod hooked up to the Aux In via the origional iPod docking station with analog inputs and it works great in both zones. The third gen dock connection is direct and not affected by the iPod volume level.

Not familiar with the Kensington but I would check the things gonk suggested as it seems that may be the problem. Also I know it sounds simplistic but make sure you have the correct source selected on the zone 2 menu, I made that mistake a couple weeks ago and it drove me crazy until I figured out I had inadvertantly selected the wrong inout.

Sorry, double post

Thanks for the reply Gonk. I've done more "experimenting" and found the audio levels to be the same on any 990 input when connected to the Kensington dock. And yes the iPod volumn is at max. When I use an RCA connector into the 990 aux. input (or video input), out of the iPods headphone jack, all audio system volumns are "normal" and I get Zone 2 output. Looks like the $70 Kensington dock wasn't a good choice. Like to hear how others have made the iPod/990 connection.

For what it's worth, I've taken the cheap route since I rarely hook the iPod to the 990 and just have a cable that I hook the headphone output to.

I would suggest using the Apple Universal iPod Dock . Unfortunately it would require an additional purchase but I am using one with very good results, if you listen to your iPod alot I think it is worth the 40 bucks.

Yeah the headphone jack-to-RCA cables is the best route I've found for my Sandisk Sansa (I despise the iPod!). And it's like $4. No use in wasting money on useless iPod accessories to do something simple (another reason I despise an iPod).

Okay, iPod rant over...get just get the cable and hook it to the AUX input on the 990. Works like a charm.

Though you may not care for the iPod there are several advantages to the docking unit:

1. You don't run the battery down with the docking unit it runs from wall outlet.

2. The output signal is stronger thru the dock output.

3. You can use a remote with the dockoutput to control the iPod.

I agree there are alot of crappy aftermarket accessories for the iPod but the docking unit is not one of them.

I've also heard that the iPod's dock connection offers better sound quality than the rather mediocre headphone amp that you've got through the iPod's headphone jack. Since I don't have a dock, I haven't ever tested that, but it wouldn't surprise me.