I have a ML amp that was replaced by the dealer less than 2 years ago, have it on my service record and have the receipt. I was thinking of possibly doing a full stereo in the LS430, what would be the value on one of these things? I know they are ridiculously expensive from the dealer but whats real world pricing on these used? Seeing if I should pull it out now and sell it or for now refoam the speakers and do a stereo later down the line.

 

You could probably get something like $300-$500, people want them as a plug and play solution if there's goes out and the unit does more than just "amplify" the audio, it's basically the controller for the whole system. So if you get rid of it you'll probably have to build a system from the ground up.

It's not worth anything for the "performance" of the unit for an aftermarket stereo, even though Mark Levinson is a big deal in home audio.

 

by controller you mean of the stereo portion right? I would not lose function of the navigation and climate control? My plan was the Beatsonic kit to intergrate with the factory navigation screen and from there new speakers for the front and rear along with a sub and a 5 channel amp to power it all. So I don't think I would need the factory ML amp if I did that.

 

If it is an ML amp it came on ML, CL and UL LS's and yes it does control nav and climate I believe. I think the whole nav unit is one piece. Check E bay for the value. Interesting I did not find a whole lot of difference between my Premium stereo in my first LSand the Levinson I now have in my Modern Luxury.

 

My amateur, non-expert opinion is that your factory screen won't operate without the ML amp unit if it's removed entirely without some sort of workaround.

But I could easily could be wrong about that. So you might want to some searches around here for people that went into an aftermarket direction.

 

What exactly do you mean by "one piece"? If you are imply that the radio and navi are one piece that is incorrect, that is why there is this kit

http://www.beatsonicusa.com/stereo/b...c-mva-24l.html



I am just confused why the navi or climate control screen would need the ML amp? I guess the easiest way to figure it out is just unplugging it and seeing if the screen still works.

 

One of the reasons I feel the amp is not necessary is all these guys that have amps that die on them, none of them mention the screen no longer working, simply that they are not getting any sound?

 

I think what happens is the amp portion of the controller goes out, but not the entire unit that has the "brain" for the screen functionality.

Just looks like to me a lot more is going on then just speaker hookups.

 

I need to just ask someone that has put in an aftermarket stereo lol

 

I wonder how many amps fail from old age or due to 2nd 3rd and 4th owners either trying to upgrade their systems and/or replace subwoofers and speakers with aftermarket.

 

You can remove the ML amp and your nav and AC will still work. You need the radio/cassette player
plug in. You can remove the 6 disc cd changer.

 

My ML died and didn't want to spend $300 to $700 for a used one. Replaced all the speakers, tweeter in the rear, installed a JL audio W7, JL amp 2 channel for the sub, old Kicker 4 channel amp for the speakers, 100 rms watts. Front speakers I got Momo component and for the rear speakers, Polk db component speakers.
Added front camera, turn on with a switch that you see in the dash.

While I removed the amp, I dynamat pretty much the whole car.

 

cool thanks thats what i was looking for

 

Your welcome.

I did not use the beatsonic kit by the way. Lost steering wheel radio control but not a big deal.

 

What kit did you use? im looking to do this asap.