Getting Rid of Mark Levinson System
Interesting you say that. I thought the ML sounded nice. Maybe a bit bright to my ears. The LS400 I thought were a bit restrained-muted in the highs. For the time, both good for car audio but maybe not at the level of a nicely designed custom system.
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 321
Likes: 1
From: St. Peters, Missouri
I have XM and find the music stations just sound so so for what they are broadcasting,, finally tuned into some classical (channel 77 & 78) and what a difference,, can now hear the individual strings and much more refined,,
guess ya have to give it something decent to work from,,
Derry
guess ya have to give it something decent to work from,,
Derry
Driver
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Il
Both the LS430 and LX470 with the Mark Levinson sound a bit better than the Nakamichi in the LS400.
The LS460's Mark Levinson destroys all of them combined
. Its amazing.I was told that Lexus was going with Mark Levinson because it was starting to get more into the navigation and Nakamichi didnt really want to work with them on that. I feel its because Mark Levinson is more known by audiophiles so thats why they switched. It may be a combination of both.
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Rookie
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 72
Likes: 3
From: VA
I was thinking about yanking it out because I don't really like the navigation system, but with the AC being controled through the touch screen I didn't know if there was a way to work around that or not. Then throw in the Bluetooth phone connection headache and it just keeps adding up. Love the interior/exterior style of the car just hate the unnecessary mass of integrated electronics.
Pole Position
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 259
Likes: 2
From: So. California
Mark Levinson "crap" compared to Nakamichi ?
I've had more than one of both the LS400's (w/ Nakamichi) and LS430's (w/ Mark Levinson) and find the Mark Levinson FAR from "crap" and even preferable to the Nakamichi even tho both are pretty damn good .....
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: CA
We might have found away to put in aftermarket head unit and still have the ml climate controls and navi working like stock. We kinda tested it out today and hopefully we will know for sure if it works tomorrow.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: CA
Hello,
It worked! I now have a Pioneer P4200 DVD in my 2001 LS430 UL with ML. The DVD, Ipod and radio work with the factory navi (with the voice) and a/c controls. We were the test monkeys for Beat Sonic USA.
There are couple of very minor things that don't work perfect. The mode button on the steering wheel kinda trips out the system and since there is a volume on control on the steering wheel and the head unit you got to make sure both of volume controls are not cranked all the way up.
Another thing to work around is there are no instruction manuals from Beat Sonic. So someone with stereo experience should do the install. They guy who did mines is JT Audio in Anaheim, CA 714-817-8282 and Beat Sonic's number is 714-994-1085. The kit number is MVA-23.
Whoo hoo! I plan to work with JT Audio to upgrade amps, speakers and woofers hopefully in mid August. JT is confident to make these upgrades and still have the factory navi working (including voice). Hopefully JT will post some photos. I know he took some when he was doing the install.
Take Care,
Scott
It worked! I now have a Pioneer P4200 DVD in my 2001 LS430 UL with ML. The DVD, Ipod and radio work with the factory navi (with the voice) and a/c controls. We were the test monkeys for Beat Sonic USA.
There are couple of very minor things that don't work perfect. The mode button on the steering wheel kinda trips out the system and since there is a volume on control on the steering wheel and the head unit you got to make sure both of volume controls are not cranked all the way up.
Another thing to work around is there are no instruction manuals from Beat Sonic. So someone with stereo experience should do the install. They guy who did mines is JT Audio in Anaheim, CA 714-817-8282 and Beat Sonic's number is 714-994-1085. The kit number is MVA-23.
Whoo hoo! I plan to work with JT Audio to upgrade amps, speakers and woofers hopefully in mid August. JT is confident to make these upgrades and still have the factory navi working (including voice). Hopefully JT will post some photos. I know he took some when he was doing the install.
Take Care,
Scott
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Ca
Hello everyone, here's some pics from the install.
wired up to the head unit. There's basically just 4 wires, 12v, acc, gnd, and illumination. No turn on is needed. Oh, and also 2 sets of speaker wires for left and right. You still use your balance and fader on the factory screen.
This is the rear deck area next to the C pillar. You need to run the antenna extension into the trunk where the tuner is. Had to remove the whole back seat.
But, it's the only way I see to do it clean and right.
Completed!
wired up to the head unit. There's basically just 4 wires, 12v, acc, gnd, and illumination. No turn on is needed. Oh, and also 2 sets of speaker wires for left and right. You still use your balance and fader on the factory screen.
This is the rear deck area next to the C pillar. You need to run the antenna extension into the trunk where the tuner is. Had to remove the whole back seat.
But, it's the only way I see to do it clean and right.Completed!