This IC is apparently the main, higher power amplifier for the speakers. There's another IC, an LA7769 (fourth/fifth pics) whose output goes straight to the speakers. I looked up this chip on at a great Data Sheets website (see third pic) and found that it is an Equalizer Amplifier that is apparently acting as a preamp for the tape head. A great idea!! Thanks unknownuser2007! The tape head wires (which I am using as the input from the MP3 player) are attached to the circuit board and traces ran from there to an LA3220 IC chip (see second pic). Update 10-07-07 Adding resistors didn't seem to be helping then I got a suggestion from another great Instructables user, unknownuser2007 He suggested that instead of trying to use resistors to drop the level of the headphones output of the MP3 player, I could try bypassing the cassette head preamp IC like he did in his instructable. Next I tried 3000 ohm resistors, but still hardly any change. After trying it, it didn't seem to make much difference. For testing I just soldered them in just sticking out until I find the right size. I'll try adding larger resistors in series.

Ok the 150 Ohm wasn't enough the sound is still distorting a bit.

Riptunes mp3