I'm a stereo fanatic. I just purchased a 2006 sc430. Has anyone upgraded
their sc with any amplification? It has ML system now, just not enough power for my liking. I'm installing VAIS system for sirius/xm satellite and ipod connections tomorrow. Can anyone help me in this area?

 

Welcome to CL Jill

Are you looking for directions?

 

Jill,

Welcome to the Club.

I can't help in the amplifier area, but here's some information about the XM/Vais installation.

If you view this thread you can see my XM installation.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=359057

There's not much to see other than the installation of the antenna because the Vais device is completely concealed. The normal steering wheel controls work as if it's the standard radio.

You do have a few items to consider regarding the installation. The dealer who is installing your radio should give you the options for antenna placement. XM antenna placement requirements are different than Sirius.

I've chosen to install my XM antenna on top of the windshield and have it painted to match the car.

Also Vias is available as radio-only or radio with iPod connection versions. Make sure your dealer orders and installs the one you want.

Good luck,

Dave

 

Hi Dave,

What do you mean by "as radio-only"?

 

The Vais unit I had installed, SL2xmt, allows the XM radio to interface with the stereo and allows you to use the steering wheel controls and the radio display. However it does not have any additional imputs for iPods or other devices.

They also make one (or made one, I'm not sure of the status) that included the XM radio interface along with an iPod connector.

The SL2xmt is smaller than the older models and works perfectly for my application. You never see it because it's installed behind the dash in all cases.

That's why I advised Jill to make sure that her audio dealer orders and installs the one she wants because they have multiple choices.

More details on the different models are at Vais' web site at www.vaistech.com

 

Check ebay before you spend a bundle on some stereo shop for the converter i bought the same xm/ipod converter for around 60.00 and then had a stereo guy install down the road for 100.00 saved about 400.00
good luck ....

 

Jill,

When upgrading an audio system there is alot to think about. I would recommend keeping the stock deck in the car and use an intrgration piece from audio control. I would look at the LC8. It will take the speaker wires and convert them over to RCA outputs for you to be able to hook up your amps. It also acts a line driver as well. You will be able to level match your audio signal to what the amps are able to except.

If you are like me and like to be able to tune your sound system you may want to look at the DQL8. This is a digital eq/processor. It will do the same as the LC8, but it give you up to 32 bands of equalization to really be able to fine tune the sytem. You can also preset 8 differnet settings to it so if you listen to a wide range of music, you can just change that and it will reset the eq to the way you would have it tunned for that kind of music.