Just a question for the group. I own a mostly factory 94 sc300. I've had it just about a year now and there is no going back. It's simply a MAGNIFICENT road machine!!!! My only issue is the factory stereo system. I need more and was wondering if I should attempt to retrofit the car with the optional nakaminchi stereo equipment or go aftermarket. My only requiement is that I want the finished job to be clean.

 

I wouldn't recommend trying to fit the Nak system, go aftermarket, can still be done very clean...

 

Don't spend an arm and a leg stuffing a 12 year old stereo into a car when the new models have came so far along. you get what you pay for, so find a good installer and get some idea's together.

 

Depends on how much you spend. I swapped out my premium stereo to the Nak on my 93 SC300 for about $300. I wouldn't spend much more than that. The Nak components are practically plug n play if you have the premium audio with Cd changer. Very simple procedure and worth it if you can find the parts for a good price. If you can spend a lot more, though, I'd suggest aftermarket.

 

I had the nakamichi, now I have the Kenwood Excelon KDC-X869, there is NO comparison in sound quailty, it is obviously much better with the same speakers and subs with both head units, I'm taking my car back wednesday to finish up the install, the installer at Tweeter had to go find a Lexus sticker for the bottom I'll post pics probably Thursday. It will be a clean install, but I wouldnt waste your money on the Nakamichi, go aftermarket. -Richard (just my opinion)

 

i'm selling a nak radio and cd changer

 

I'm convinced that the best first step to improving the stock Lexus sound system is to replace the amps and then the sub. I've heard a number of GS400s with stock speakers, some even with stock head units, and just high quality amplifiers, and they all sound damn amazing. Some, like RMMGS4's system (stock Nak speakers), sound better than my fully aftermarket system.

 

I am looking into replacing all but the CD changer and the HU, But I am looking for new speakers and amps, But I hear if I take out the old amps the system will not work, is this true ??? Also I take it I would have to splice into the factory wiring in order to get it to run on the factory HU, or is there a better way of getting the amps to run in line with the factory HU since the factory system has special hookups from the HU to the amps to the speakers ?? Does anyone have any info that will help me, I am looking to do all this my self, or at least understand how to do it so if I do take it to a installer they will not try to screw me.... also I am looking for components for the rear, if alot of people do not ride in the back, would I notice a set of components in the back from the front ? Would it make the system sound any better ?? I am looking for a good all around system, I want good bass, but I want it to sound good and not be able to be felt 10 cars away and I want just a better crisper system sound.....


Thanx for your time
Shawn

 

I'm surprised to hear you say that, while the Nak system is decent as far as the head unit and amps, the speakers are junk, 4" paper cone, untreated surrounds, unable to reproduce any decent amount of midbass whatsoever. We don't let a customer out the door without replacing them...

 

Well I'm surprised to say it too, but I've heard a few systems with stock speakers and they sound very impressive. They were all '98 GS400s. Maybe the GSes have different types of Pioneer/Nak speakers? I can't pin it, but for some reason they all sounded better than my Boston Pro Series speakers. The Bostons sound cold and harsh in comparison. If it helps, the three systems I heard all had about $3000+ worth of amps, subs, processors (except for one car using a stock headunit+changer), wires and interconnects. Still, the stock speakers themselves sounded very capable being that they were the weakest point in the entire system.

 

Thanks for the props lex400sc. I must say i was surprised too. In the past, I put a $350 set of separates on my stock head unit and felt that the improvement in sound was not that significant. What I could say is that this set up was utilizing the stock amp which is a weak link. I'm sure the results would be different if I had some cleaner power behind them. Oh and another note; I have the Pioneer, not Nak system.

As far as what you heard in my current system, please remember that the door speakers are stock, but I have upgraded the sub to a decent 12 and clean amp power on the 12. At the current x-over freq, this makes up for the loss of midbass quality that is the weak area of the factory door speakers as lex luthor pointed out. The bass is suprisingly tight.

Also don't forget I've got a high end cd changer, which is another notch of improvement over the stock electronics. This coupled with the upgraded sub section and modest power to the door speakers from a Pioneer AVM-7000 , probably makes these stockers sound as good as they're gonna get.

Of course you know the stock speakers are eventually coming out , to be replaced with some competition level speakers and electronics as part of phase 2 of my A/V upgrade. For the Carson meet I was going to get more upgrades done, but to corraborate our claim on the sound of these stockers, I will leave the speaker section alone for others to hear and make their own opinions. I think people will be surprised.

 

Actually the one augument of installing an old radio when the technology has advanced so much makes a lot of sense. I would like the new head unit to be black with green illumination like the factory climate control to maintain a factory appearance. I was reviewing old postings and saw one about using the Nakamichi cd-45z head unit and a reference to their mb-100. Anyone have exerience or opinions on this option ???? bennettdo