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Interesting. Mine definitely reads my 256GB stick (it's about half full, about 4000 songs). It's quirky at times, though, such as when I'm scrolling through the albums; if I scroll too fast before it's had time to read the entire stick, it won't scroll properly. Sometimes when I select an album (but before I start to play it), it will display the wrong album cover art; when I start playing the album, though, the correct cover art will display. But I've never had it not find an album on the stick.
Most of the time I am actually playing music off of a different stick (128GB), that has only my favorite songs on it. I just put it on random play and I'm good for many miles!
One thing that's been noted elsewhere is that USB-C drives definitely do not work for playing music. It has to be USB-A.
I've noticed another quirk. I don't know if it's related to or because of the fact that I'm using a 256G stick. I have yet to test the same scenario with a smaller-sized stick, and I may never get the urge.
Anyway, when I'm playing an album from the stick, if I happen to turn the car off toward the end of a song, then when I start the car up the next time, the player starts playing a different album. The album that it selects is, I believe, the first album that I ripped to the stick. For me that was ABBA's Greatest Hits. Don't judge. I should've ripped someone more timeless first, like Nat King Cole.
I haven't established what the magic remaining time is, but if it's within a half minute or so before the end of a song, that's when it jumps to the other album upon startup. I have noticed that if it's within just a few seconds before the end of the song, then on startup it'll finish playing the song and THEN jump to the other album.
Definitely weird. The workaround, of course, is to finish listening to the end of the song before turning the car off, or to just jump to the next track. Or to listen to ABBA again.
This is from the procedure for removing the 2024 radio receiver. I'm assuming the back of this thing is correct, so I have a feeling all the space inside is utilized for the new 2024.
You can see on the eBay picture for the 2018 that it's broken up into three sections, so if only the CD player was removed it would free up that top section. This is purely speculation.
Found some pics of the 2024 Mark Levinson receiver
Based on those it sure appears that the old CD player area is now just a vacant spot. Could be useable if someone is enterprising enough to do the work!
Based on those it sure appears that the old CD player area is now just a vacant spot. Could be useable if someone is enterprising enough to do the work!
I just realized I had the bottom view labeled as the top view. I corrected it in the pictures and added a few to my last post. It’s hard to see the space at the top, but the receiver does appear smaller and possibly centered, leaving only a small amount of space at the top and bottom.
I just realized I had the bottom view labeled as the top view. I corrected it in the pictures and added a few to my last post. It’s hard to see the space at the top, but the receiver does appear smaller and possibly centered, leaving only a small amount of space at the top and bottom.
Hmm bummer I suppose, though I wasnt ever gonna open mine up to try!
It might see the 256GB but only 32GB is readable. I have a 128GB stick but I’m not sure if all the folders are there.
straight from the manual of my 2024
One way to side-step any limit on memory stick capacity is to just get an old iPod Touch (6th gen or 7th gen) or iPhone (8 or newer) to use for offline music. Those offer capacities up to 256gb, are cheap on eBay, and can be conveniently synced and managed via iTunes (so you can rip all your CDs losslessly, but then have iTunes automatically transcode them down to smaller formats if you want to fit more onto your iPod/iPhone). In my 2025 LC, I've confirmed that the 6th gen iPod and iPhone 8 both work for this. (Sounds like older iPods are supported in the 2023 and earlier.)
I just realized I had the bottom view labeled as the top view. I corrected it in the pictures and added a few to my last post. It’s hard to see the space at the top, but the receiver does appear smaller and possibly centered, leaving only a small amount of space at the top and bottom.
While I'm of the opinion that the unit could be repositioned to make room for a slim cd player, I suspect there's more to it than that. If you want it to work in an OEM fashion there's head unit software features to consider which don't exist in 2024 models and above. Software that automatically switches to CD input when you insert the disc or at least displays it as an input option plus some other features potentially.
For those wanting the CD function on their newer cars, the best bet might be to source a new (or used) HU from an older model and see if it can plug and play. Might be an expensive experiment though.
Spoiler
Last edited by The500; Jan 1, 2026 at 05:44 AM.
Reason: Spoiler???
One way to side-step any limit on memory stick capacity is to just get an old iPod Touch (6th gen or 7th gen) or iPhone (8 or newer) to use for offline music. Those offer capacities up to 256gb, are cheap on eBay, and can be conveniently synced and managed via iTunes (so you can rip all your CDs losslessly, but then have iTunes automatically transcode them down to smaller formats if you want to fit more onto your iPod/iPhone). In my 2025 LC, I've confirmed that the 6th gen iPod and iPhone 8 both work for this. (Sounds like older iPods are supported in the 2023 and earlier.)
Intriguing. I have a bunch of old iPhones and they’re higher storage capacity models.
Do I have to unplug and plug it in everytime? Or does it power off when the car is off?
The last thing I want is something that keeps drawing amperage from the battery when I turn off the car.
While I'm of the opinion that the unit could be repositioned to make room for a slim cd player, I suspect there's more to it than that. If you want it to work in an OEM fashion there's head unit software features to consider which don't exist in 2024 models and above. Software that automatically switches to CD input when you insert the disc or at least displays it as an input option plus some other features potentially.
For those wanting the CD function on their newer cars, the best bet might be to source a new (or used) HU from an older model and see if it can plug and play. Might be an expensive experiment though.
Spoiler
I don’t think anyone wants the Single disc CD player. I think they want to re-purpose that slot for something else like a wireless charger for the phone.
Hell, I’ll be happy if they just left it empty so I have somewhere to place my phone when I get in the car.
I still have a CD collection and still buy discs. However, I don’t use it in any of my cars. While the nostalgia of hearing the tray motor intake and ejecting a disc in my home system is irreplicable, I do not want to deal with changing disc while I’m driving.
Well, more than one person commenting in this thread likes their CD player in their older LC 500. Im happy without the CD player and better quality music can be played through your phone anyway. But, I do wish that space was used for something like a storage bin or phone charger slot provided it doesnt get in the way of the cup holder.
My brother in law got himself a decent 3D printer for Christmas. Now, I just need a hand scanner to map the space, some CAD software, and a little creativity and we're all set.
I don’t think anyone wants the Single disc CD player. I think they want to re-purpose that slot for something else like a wireless charger for the phone.
Hell, I’ll be happy if they just left it empty so I have somewhere to place my phone when I get in the car.
I still have a CD collection and still buy discs. However, I don’t use it in any of my cars. While the nostalgia of hearing the tray motor intake and ejecting a disc in my home system is irreplicable, I do not want to deal with changing disc while I’m driving.
Sorry, but I have to disagree. I miss having a CD player in my '24 LC, and I wish Lexus wouldn't have deep-sixed them. I drove for years changing discs in my cars; it was not as difficult as some people make it out to be. Either that, or I am way more talented than the rest of you. Naw, I think I'll stick with my first assessment.
