Also a small script on the radio face near the CD changer slot.
Open up Sound Settings, if you have Surround Sound then it is a ML,
without that feature...not ML

 

Turn bass up & play song with bass. If rearview mirror does not move then it is not Mark Levinsion

 

 

 

Place a dvd movie in the player. If it plays it’s ML.

 

 

Wow! If non ML doesn't play DVDs then it is even more of a deal breaker for me.

 

It doesn't get any simpler than, "it will say Mark Levinson right on the head unit."

 

Man I was so lucky when I bought my 460. I didn't even think about the Levinson option when I pulled the trigger. Then later on I saw the ML logo. Hard to miss actually. I was just too amazed at the rest of the car.

 

Someone mentioned the 2010-2012 LS' had a detuned ML system, is this true? I kinda think that might be the case, my friend's 2004 LS430 had a more booming ML system than my 2010.

 

That's correct. They did, so as to help prevent an issue with previous MY LS's that were blowing their amps. Personally, my 08 never missed a beat and I ABUSED THE HECK out of mine, often playing at 30+ levels. I truly miss that system. The Sony in my SHO doesn't sound nearly as nice.

 

I'm with Roadfrog. I've had people at work ask me about the system in my '08, and they don't believe me when I told 'em it was stock.

I had mine set so anything above 53, or so, was borderline painful to the ears.

My '12's, OTOH, it's weak. Still trying to get it to actually function, so I can go back to improving it with equalization and other trickery.

 

Can we simply order a pre-2010 ML amp and pop it in, or is there something more severe to fixing the detune? Thanks!