Hello, I've been searching for options about this but hasn't found one for me. Long story short, my 07 LS460L Executive package, is there a way to connect the factory DSP to an aftermarket hi end head unit (Alpine UTX A09, Sony GS9)? I'm an audiophile, so listening through AUX wire all day really frustrates me. Hi end CDs are not what I need since all my songs are really random. The factory sound system is ok enough for me, now I just need a high quality input.

+ Those Tesla screens or those from Aliexpress all use AUX for the sound, so no, I'm never talking those.

+ Grom VLine seems like the only option out there for the LS to ensure a good sound input. However, with nearly 700 USD, I can get a good used Sony GS9 with a much better audio processor.

Please let me know what you all advise. I know replacing the ML amp with another DSP/amp will do the job but that requires too much time and effort in wiring.

 

I've had good luck with Grom, they make a Vline Lite model that's ~$150 cheaper but the same quality. I think it looses the HDMI input, which I never used in my model anyway. I thought the beatsonic kit allowed an after market 2din system to hookup to the factory amp?

 

A long time ago I saved this:
ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Thread > Lexus Special Interest Forum > Lexus Audio, Video, Safety & Electronics
> How To: Build and wire an auxiliary input to the OEM stereo,
and it worked, but it requires professional level electrical knowledge. Of course AUX is a terrible way to listen to music.

 

I bought a bluetooth adapter to plug into the aux port in the center console, so I could use my Hidisz AP80 Pro for all my music desires. Worked well enough for me.

 

I ordered my tesla style screen from Phoenix Automotive a couple years ago. It's a Google Pixel Tablet integrated into the dash. Uses a linux-style OS, gets OTA updates, has android auto and streams music through bluetooth flawlessly. Install wasn't fun. A pro shop should handle it, it's probably one of the hardest procedures I have ever done on my LS460 (i do most everything myself, and this car, especially it's electronics, are not for the faint of heart.

 

did you have the ML sound system? Looking to get the Tesla screen for my 2011. Also how do you like the phoenix radio, any tips, pros and cons would be great

 

For two months now I’ve been installing and tweaking a ZF-1303 screen in my wife’s 2012 LS460 base with ML sound system. I would not recommend a ZF-1303 for multiple reasons:

1) The car’s AC vents do not fit properly. I had to do extensive Dremel work on the new radio’s shell and use sheet metal screws to hold them in place.

2) The shell has a hazard switch glued to the shell that doesn’t work. I had to rig the car’s hazard switch behind the shell’s switch and secure it with a piece of electrical wire with ring connectors on each end.

3) Speakers have been problematic. I have no fade capability. My dealer sent me an MCU flash upgrade that is worse. At times I have no fronts. One night I only had left rear output. I’m waiting for them to send me files to revert to the original MCU settings.

4) Boot times are in the 30-40 seconds range. That defeats the purpose of my installing a new backup camera on the trunk lid and routing cable from the trunk, under the carpet, to the console area. The new MCU flash was supposed to help that but since then the screen has been blank upon boot up.

5) No instructions are supplied. Tech support is via WhatsApp to a guy in Europe, which is available 2-11 a.m. my local time. The “engineer” is is not directly reachable in China. He was out of pocket for two weeks for the Chinese New Year. On my own I found support info from Rhino and Phoenix.

6) The shell’s internal mic is horrible so I had to install an external mic.


There is a version out there with a physical **** near each upper corner for volume etc. I don’t know if the AC vents fit any better in it than in the ZF-1303.


If I could do it all over I would go the VLine route, but at the beginning my wife wanted the big vertical screen.

 

I do not have ML. Pros: nearly everything. I had to cut no factory wiring so going back to stock will be relatively simple. Cons: no physical HVAC controls (all in the touch screen), unit is glitchy occasionally, I seem to have no control over how loud a call ringing through to me from someone else, is. It startles me alot when calls come through. About every 6 months or so the unit will freeze. and then I have to use a paperclip to hit the reset button in the upper right corner of the bezel.

That's wild, I have experienced none of this.

 

Anyone try these 9" Android units that's like an OEM+ option?

Ebay link to Android 9" head unit

or these 12.3" units?

 

That eBay unit has less RAM and screen resolution than a cell phone.

 

I thought I was the only one with Valvetronic Designs - edit (I think I read that wrong) mufflers on this forum. I would like to see a cold start video of your car, I want to hear the difference the SS mid pipes make. I still wanna hear a cold start.

 

I can get that for you in the morning, except my valves are not hooked up yet. I literally just got the mufflers welded in yesterday lol.

PM me with an email address and i can send you a cold start with the SS mid-pipes and turndowns (in place of mufflers) in the morning. Midpipes and turndowns are EXTREMELY loud on cold start, and in the car, hence why I decided to go with Valvetronics. My wife and kid ride in the car, and i don't want to damage my daughter's hearing