Mark Levinson Amp Repair
#151
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: New Jersey
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Levinson amps
I was able to find a replacement amp on ebay in november for 325.00. Stereo showed it was playing but no sound. The replacement amp corrected the problem. Good luck
#152
United is not a company "approved" by anyone. They have figured out how to fix the amp and seemingly, they are doing a good job. I believe they are charging a lot - because there is no one else whose name is posted here.. I think the lexus dealer charged at cost about $1000, to someone I know, for the replacement. They replaced the amps in two of my cars for free, because I am a long term and large customer of Lexus.
I believe that a "real audio repair tech" can fix it.. These type of people are becoming very rare - almost no one repairs audio equipment anymore.. I am not familiar with Ontario but if the amp in my car fails, I am going to send it to a local guy, who is an audio tech.. and if and when I do that, I wold post here.. Unfortunately, all I can suggest is that you try and find a local audio repair technician.. There is no need for approval of Lexus or ML.
Lexus should be ashamed of itself.. for not providing unlimited warranty for this issue - as an exception, because, clearly, it's customers who paid a premium for it are getting screwed for a manufacturing defect.. They might well be able to force ML to supply replacement amps.. or low cost refurbishment program..
If you call lexus and complain hard enough.. they might sell it to you at a subsidized price or give it to you free..
I believe that a "real audio repair tech" can fix it.. These type of people are becoming very rare - almost no one repairs audio equipment anymore.. I am not familiar with Ontario but if the amp in my car fails, I am going to send it to a local guy, who is an audio tech.. and if and when I do that, I wold post here.. Unfortunately, all I can suggest is that you try and find a local audio repair technician.. There is no need for approval of Lexus or ML.
Lexus should be ashamed of itself.. for not providing unlimited warranty for this issue - as an exception, because, clearly, it's customers who paid a premium for it are getting screwed for a manufacturing defect.. They might well be able to force ML to supply replacement amps.. or low cost refurbishment program..
If you call lexus and complain hard enough.. they might sell it to you at a subsidized price or give it to you free..
I agree. Shame on Lexus who used to be well known for customer service has lowered their standards of customer service. This ML amp problem is common enough that when I called in to my service writer at Lexus, he knew exactly what the problem was. This is not the Lexus of old.
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RFTowers74 (12-03-21)
#153
Pole Position
Another member here fixed this problem himself.. or is in the process of fixing it.. no need to pay $700+ to United Audio.
This can be fixed by any electronics repair tech for $150!
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/lx-...ml#post9707282
This can be fixed by any electronics repair tech for $150!
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/lx-...ml#post9707282
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steedls400 (03-26-20)
#154
Lead Lap
I posted this about a more general ML system question, but the same points apply. Especially as with the 460 ML went from Class AB to Class D. In Mark Levinsonspeak the digital amplification is called "GreenEdge". An even more powerful version of this system is in the LF-A
"
About 10 years ago (more sadly; just old at 40) DVD-A and SACD waged a format war to be the replacement for the CD offering vastly higher sampling rates, dedicated surround channels and most important to the record companies, robust copyright protection.
Needless to say, MP3 and the like one. It is crazy to me as a long time audiophile that LP's have made a huge comeback. Still has the same signal to noise issues, the records will eventually wear out due to a needle digging into vinyl, etc. While I have a very healthy SACD/DVD-A collection, I do not own a single record. I do listen to Spotify Premium all the time through AirPlay and as long as you change the SQ settings in the setup, it sounds decent on my home setup.
The amplifier's reliability is cause for concern. What is interesting is the 460 uses what ML calls GreenEdge amplification. AKA Class D amplification. (Stuff from the dawn of the era to the late 90's and now is either Class A or Class AB with AB being vastly more common with only a handful of hideously expensive amplifiers running Class A (early Krell stuff and others). Better AB amplifiers can run up to the first 27 (Aragon 8008bb) in Class A before switching to AB,
Class D Runs much cooler, draws less power, etc. The best known example of this kind of amplification is ICE amplification."With this type of amplification running much cooler, it would stand to reason that components would be less likely to fail as heat is so often the enemy of reliability of electronics. Especially with poor ventilation and under specced heatsinks.
"
"The 460 system is simply in another category than the prior LS Mark Levinson system and for an OEM is shockingly good. While it might sound humblebragish (so be it), my home theater is worth far more and insured for more than my 460 and with the proper source material, the ML Reference System is shockingly good for an OEM.
It is a shame that .0000000000075436% of you guys probably own DVD-Audio discs as they sound phenomenal on the system. SACD's will not play on the system, but the many SACD/CD hybrids will at least play the CD layer of the disc in the car.About 10 years ago (more sadly; just old at 40) DVD-A and SACD waged a format war to be the replacement for the CD offering vastly higher sampling rates, dedicated surround channels and most important to the record companies, robust copyright protection.
Needless to say, MP3 and the like one. It is crazy to me as a long time audiophile that LP's have made a huge comeback. Still has the same signal to noise issues, the records will eventually wear out due to a needle digging into vinyl, etc. While I have a very healthy SACD/DVD-A collection, I do not own a single record. I do listen to Spotify Premium all the time through AirPlay and as long as you change the SQ settings in the setup, it sounds decent on my home setup.
The amplifier's reliability is cause for concern. What is interesting is the 460 uses what ML calls GreenEdge amplification. AKA Class D amplification. (Stuff from the dawn of the era to the late 90's and now is either Class A or Class AB with AB being vastly more common with only a handful of hideously expensive amplifiers running Class A (early Krell stuff and others). Better AB amplifiers can run up to the first 27 (Aragon 8008bb) in Class A before switching to AB,
Class D Runs much cooler, draws less power, etc. The best known example of this kind of amplification is ICE amplification."With this type of amplification running much cooler, it would stand to reason that components would be less likely to fail as heat is so often the enemy of reliability of electronics. Especially with poor ventilation and under specced heatsinks.
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steedls400 (03-26-20)
#155
My amp was replace once before I purchased the car...maybe around 40K miles. Around 80K miles the amp started acting up again, cutting out almost exactly 20 mins after driving. I could turn off the car, let it sit for some time (30-1hr) and the audio would work fine again for about 20 mins.I sent the amp to UR and they told me the amp was still good, no issues. I took it to Lexus and they told me the amp was bad, paid to have a refurbished unit installed. Drove away and 20 mins later it cut out again. Took it back and they spent sometime with the car. Discovered that a component in the Mayday ecu is bad, sending a mute signal to the amp. This is the system in the car where if you are paying for the subscription the operator would come over the speaker to ask if you're okay/need help in the event of an accident. The idea is the system would mute the stereo so you could hear the operator. My choices were to buy a new mayday ecu, over $4K - for a system I don't pay for anyway or simply depin the one wire from the amp to the mayday ecu which sent the signal to mute the system. I picked the later, Lexus refunded my money for the refurbished amp.
The following users liked this post:
steedls400 (03-26-20)
#156
My amp was replace once before I purchased the car...maybe around 40K miles. Around 80K miles the amp started acting up again, cutting out almost exactly 20 mins after driving. I could turn off the car, let it sit for some time (30-1hr) and the audio would work fine again for about 20 mins.I sent the amp to UR and they told me the amp was still good, no issues. I took it to Lexus and they told me the amp was bad, paid to have a refurbished unit installed. Drove away and 20 mins later it cut out again. Took it back and they spent sometime with the car. Discovered that a component in the Mayday ecu is bad, sending a mute signal to the amp. This is the system in the car where if you are paying for the subscription the operator would come over the speaker to ask if you're okay/need help in the event of an accident. The idea is the system would mute the stereo so you could hear the operator. My choices were to buy a new mayday ecu, over $4K - for a system I don't pay for anyway or simply depin the one wire from the amp to the mayday ecu which sent the signal to mute the system. I picked the later, Lexus refunded my money for the refurbished amp.
#158
Another member here fixed this problem himself.. or is in the process of fixing it.. no need to pay $700+ to United Audio.
This can be fixed by any electronics repair tech for $150!
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/lx-...ml#post9707282
This can be fixed by any electronics repair tech for $150!
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/lx-...ml#post9707282
#159
Lead Lap
I need to ask my friend who owns a 2004 LS430 UL (we had almost identical cars for 4 months) where he got his fixed. He is a professional musician and sound engineer and lives in Nashville where he got his repaired. I believe it cost around $200 or so.
I will ask him and report back. Like I stated before, the amplifier in the 460 is a Class D whereas the one in the 430 is Class AB, but it generally seems to be a bad capacitor behind the failure so I would think the repair to be similar.
I will ask him and report back. Like I stated before, the amplifier in the 460 is a Class D whereas the one in the 430 is Class AB, but it generally seems to be a bad capacitor behind the failure so I would think the repair to be similar.
#160
I need to ask my friend who owns a 2004 LS430 UL (we had almost identical cars for 4 months) where he got his fixed. He is a professional musician and sound engineer and lives in Nashville where he got his repaired. I believe it cost around $200 or so.
I will ask him and report back. Like I stated before, the amplifier in the 460 is a Class D whereas the one in the 430 is Class AB, but it generally seems to be a bad capacitor behind the failure so I would think the repair to be similar.
I will ask him and report back. Like I stated before, the amplifier in the 460 is a Class D whereas the one in the 430 is Class AB, but it generally seems to be a bad capacitor behind the failure so I would think the repair to be similar.
#161
I need to ask my friend who owns a 2004 LS430 UL (we had almost identical cars for 4 months) where he got his fixed. He is a professional musician and sound engineer and lives in Nashville where he got his repaired. I believe it cost around $200 or so.
I will ask him and report back. Like I stated before, the amplifier in the 460 is a Class D whereas the one in the 430 is Class AB, but it generally seems to be a bad capacitor behind the failure so I would think the repair to be similar.
I will ask him and report back. Like I stated before, the amplifier in the 460 is a Class D whereas the one in the 430 is Class AB, but it generally seems to be a bad capacitor behind the failure so I would think the repair to be similar.
#163
Just wanted to drop a note even though I sold this car almost 3 years ago.
I got the ML amp in my 2006 IS350 repaired by United Radio and it had the same exact failure with the cars new owner last year. Thats why I am here actually, to get UR's info so she can send the amp to them again. The original repair lasted several years.
I got the ML amp in my 2006 IS350 repaired by United Radio and it had the same exact failure with the cars new owner last year. Thats why I am here actually, to get UR's info so she can send the amp to them again. The original repair lasted several years.
#164
You made me dig into my memory banks for Latin class in high school and college...
I ended up paying the dealership for a remanufactured unit. Lexus Corp agreed to pay half. BUT I think it will help others to have options besides the dealership and UR. It appears the UR repair is not bullet-proof so I may end up at this thread if you can give an alternative repair source. Thanks.
I ended up paying the dealership for a remanufactured unit. Lexus Corp agreed to pay half. BUT I think it will help others to have options besides the dealership and UR. It appears the UR repair is not bullet-proof so I may end up at this thread if you can give an alternative repair source. Thanks.
#165
Lead Lap
You made me dig into my memory banks for Latin class in high school and college...
I ended up paying the dealership for a remanufactured unit. Lexus Corp agreed to pay half. BUT I think it will help others to have options besides the dealership and UR. It appears the UR repair is not bullet-proof so I may end up at this thread if you can give an alternative repair source. Thanks.
I ended up paying the dealership for a remanufactured unit. Lexus Corp agreed to pay half. BUT I think it will help others to have options besides the dealership and UR. It appears the UR repair is not bullet-proof so I may end up at this thread if you can give an alternative repair source. Thanks.
Very cool that Lexus at least ponied up half! May this amplifier be the last one you need.