4ernik

Got my ES 2023 not so long ago and I wondering if anybody have an insight about the standard audio system. Would it make a real difference listening to lossless audio vs spotify quality tracks, since it's not equipped with the ML system?
Does anybody know what will be the best shot to listen to lossless? Apple has an option to get HiFi quality tracks through Apple Music, but it seems like it would only work as HiFi over the wired CarPlay connection, bluetooth CarPlay seems to be incapable of playing HiFi. There is no CD player, so I can't just get or compose a few CD's with the music I want.

E46CT

lossless/flac, etc won't make any difference. the standard audio system hits a wall pretty early so average quality streaming on spotify is the best you will hear, really. in a car, for me, it's good enough.

the biggest difference maker was adding a sub and plug and play dash speakers.

BlainePDX

I put a bunch of lossless tracks on a USB flash drive and play it from there. It's better, but not really noticeable compared to good MP3s unless you really turn it up. A lot of the quality of lossless depends on how well the music has been mastered.

If you have a CD/DVD player in your computer you can rip CDs to lossless FLAC tracks onto a flash drive. The Fairstars CD ripper (http://www.fairstars.com/cd_ripper/) is free and easy to use. That larger USB port at the front of the console will read from a USB flash drive. I use a Sandisk Ultra Fit drive so it doesn't stick up much.

r1supersta

This is what I was thinking. What in-dash speakers and sub did you install? Did you use an LC2i?

E46CT

I think I followed the Rav4 Forums since we drive essentially the same car and those guys usually have good log of mods. They use JBL something--forgot the model # but its 3" dash speaker. . its pretty popular. And its nice to get plug and play connectors (for Camry/Rav4) on Amazon. so nothing is cut. everything is 100% reversible to stock.

No l2ci just plug and play all-in-one sub/amp combo tapped into the factory amp under driver's seat for signal.

i wanted whatever i did to be minimally involved. just a quick install and walk away.

LexusJoey

Agreed. It's a factor of everything. Audio equipment, digital audio, & audio source. Since you are not equipped with the ML system, almost anything you put to it will arguably get very little gain. To an extreme, it's like playing HiFi music through my cell phone speakers.

r1supersta

So is the HU good enough that the signals are clean? In my 18' Tundra it is. I left the OE HU and just upgraded the rest. It sounds GREAT!!

LexusJoey

Short of saying there's always better equipment.....
If you're using the aux in on the head unit, then it is sufficient.

Dallas250

I find if I use the USB cable and play good quality songs through Spotify, the system sounds pretty damn good. I also use the equalizer in Spotify to help tune the sound to my liking along with the highs, mids, and bass adjustments on the factory system.

carsareus

I stream everything from Tidal through my Pixel 7. Sounds great on my ML system.

FTBoomer

If you want the best possible input, use Roon. They have a product called ARC which allows you to stream from your own library (on your home music server) or from Qobuz or Tidal seamlessly and bit-perfect.

https://roonlabs.com/

Stupefacie

I prefer deezer hifi myself.
​​​​

carsareus

I have Roon and use it for home but ARC has been very difficult for me to setup. I don't think there would be any real advantages using it to stream to my car system versus my vastly superior home system.