I am considering getting one of the PAC AAI-GM9 adapters to connect a portable MP3 player like Karma to my factory stereo. In the instructions it states "factory headunit must have a working slave unit which uses the GM 9 pin connector", does this mean my intended use will not work unless I have something like a stock CD changer plugged into the 9 pin connector? If so, is there a way to spoof this? Or better yet, is there an alternative to the AAI-GM9 that works for 1 RCA input from a portable player?

You definitely require a slave unit. The slave unit talks back to the headunit to let it know its still around and functional. There is nobody to date that has an adapter that replaces the required slave unit (that I know of). If you do decide on a PAC AAI-GM9, you can email me and I'll sell you one under cost. I have one unopened since I traded my vehicle before using it.

Bob

I don't know if this helps or not, see here http://empeg.comms.net/php/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=install&Number=159073&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=186&fpart=

Sorry, to lazy to make it a link.

You can buy adapters like that for many types of vehicles unfortunately GM requires the presence of a GM brand auxillary device so the headunit will accept auxillary input. Blitzsafe is supposedly working on a GM adapter but they have nothing as of yet.

Ahh, now I get it.

I might have to eat my words. I was just checking the most recent advances from PIE electronics and:

http://www.pie.net/aux_appl_gm.htm

Read the applications carefully as some vehicles do not apply. You can purchase PIE adapters thru
Logjam.com

My Honda adapter was made by PIE, and it worked as advertised. If they really have a GM solution, then you're probably good with them.

I've got one of these PIE things and it does not require that a slave unit be hooked up (of course, the headunit must be able to accept one).

Mine didn't require the slave unit, but it probably differs from stereo to stereo. Rtundo was saying that the GM stereos used to always require slave units, but that he thought it looked like the latest crop of PIE products might have solved that problem. I didn't look at them closely so I don't know.

It appears that no slave unit is required. However, double check your application with them before ordering. For kicks (evethough I traded the truck in) I see at
http://www.logjamelectronics.com/piegm9aux.html
that a converter is available for a 2001 Denali with a footnote that these adapters will not work with a six-disc in-dash cd-changer, however; all Denalis come with this changer. I emailed them and they responded that the converter will not work with the Denali whether the cd-changer is removed or not. I'm sure if you don't have one of these weird exceptions that it should work.