The main reason for this attempt is to stay with the stock head unit. Looks like the best way to upgrade to Bluetooth would be to install a later model, '06-'10 radio, then proceed from there. Has anyone ever changed out the radio in a '02-'05 for a later model? Just looking at pics, it appears they should swap directly. Advice?

 

The later model BT is only for the phone.
what do you want the BT to do?

 

The 2005 sc430 has blue tooth for phone

 

was that only in 2005?
if so, I stand corrected...
question then, if I can play music on the 2006-2010 car systems using BT, does it only play music stored on the phone?
can I play music from apps like YouTube, pandora, iHeartRadio, Amazon music etc?

 

The 2005 sc430 and the 2006 are gen 4 and they are only for phone only. You can not play your music from the iphone at all . If you want that for a 2005 sc430 or 2006 sc430 then you need the vias slb-3 . That will allow you to play your phone music via blue tooth as well as Pandora or phone apps .

 

The vias is a good way into the stereo.

the quality of the rest of the ML stereo is so high that upgrading the control head results in a state of the art system in our older cars.

 

Interesting. I don't know if swapping out the head unit updates all the phone features/menus on the Nav screen and allows you to store your contacts list? I have the 2006 and had to install the Vais Technology to play BT music from the phone. Keep in mind, that the later models have steering wheel controls for hands free phone use. Your 2004 won't support the hands free feature. I always use the steering column button to answer incoming calls.

 

I must disagree with this notion.
The Mark Levinson speakers are simply average speakers with undersized magnets.
The amp has lackluster power and will not adequately drive aftermarket speakers.

That being said, I spent $3000 to upgrade the system with a Kenwood XR900-5 amp, Alpine CDE-W265BT head unit, and Hybrid Audio Technology speakers.
It took the shop over 8 hours labor as this installation was anything but straight forward.
I paid top of the line prices, but the sound is simply magnificent now.
Initially, I upgraded the door speaker components with the Hybrid Audio Technologies Unity component line for $950 and was underwhelmed. I then bit the bullet and spent $2000 to completely upgrade the head unit, amp, rear panel speakers and subwoofer.
Now I have the sound I want and have incorporated an Amazon Fire tablet with an SD card to hold all my music that either wired or wirelessly streams to the Alpine.

 

Thanks Markfx. I knew someone knew.

had not seen a removed speaker so I was relying on the sound the pioneer developed.

does not surprise me.

oem is OEM. Works ok. Not audiophile.

If you have a lst of the parts that would be helpful.

replaced every speaker and added three alpine amps in our brand new 98 accord within 60 days of brand new.

retained the stock alpine head and steering wheel controls.

where are you? Love to hear your setup!

 

Hybrid Audio Technologies
http://hybrid-audio.com/
Doors:
Unity U69 6x9” Midbass pair
Unity U3 3.7" wide band midrange driver pair
Unity Tweeters
Focal 3 way crossovers from PS165F3 component set
Rear seat panels:
Mirus M41
I don't know the model of the 8" subwoofer.

I live in Oakland.

 

I spent $1,700 in 98 and did not change the head.

i still have the car. That was the point. 195k miles later the stereo cost 11 cents per mile.

Between our cars and our Rv we have 600,000 miles

and the Lexus IS a keeper

and they are waterproof

thanks for the info.

Where did they put the amps?

 

The amp was installed in the same location as the stock unit.

 

The 10x8x2 would seem to leave some room for more amps.

had 500 watts in the old accord in alpine amps. Might see if they are worth pulling and moving over.

like the speakers

 

Just got a bluetooth kit that plugs into the power supply in the center console and plugs into a 3.5mm cord i ran from the headunit to the center console...Cheap $25.00 upgrade...Thanks to amazon

 

Got any link to what you bought at Amazon? Would this work for 02 car? What year is your car?