SC 430 ML system

[westrella]

Hi. New to the forum. This place is great for advice & reference!

Question: My brother has a 02 Lexus SC 430 & wants to remove the stock Mark Levinson receiver & change it out w/ something that is ipod & sirius compatible. (I don't know if it makes a difference using another receiver w/ the ML speakers.)

Any advice or recommendations (especially for installers) are appreciated!

Thx.

[TBSpyder]

Everything should be replaced and rewired. The ML system is a bitch. If you're not looking to spend all that money and are happy with the current sound quality, and ipod adapter and stand alone sirius unit may be your best bet.

[jriggs]

you can also buy an adaptor (or build it yourself) that will run via the cd changer and you can add any source you want. thats what i did on my gs300, fairly easy install.

i'm pretty sure the ml head is not powered itself per say and there is an external amp, think of the head as just a key bored and monitor while the amp is the brains of it all.

[MCOR]

Yes, that system is a bear. Basically, if you want to upgrade, you better be ready to do it all in one shot. Best to gut everything and custom wire head unit, all amps, and all speakers/ subs/Sirius/iPod in one shot. Not cheap, but this is a car that is not easily "pieced together" or "built up" as budget allows. Not novice user-friendly. If you are not ready to take the plunge, get the Metra/Axxes or PAC add-on auxillary input box as mentioned so you can have external inputs play through the factory system (most people just go this route once they realize the cost involved in "gutting" the whole system...