MrDC1000

I just turned in my 2007 LS460L for a closeout on a brand new 2012 LS460. Very happy with the purchase even though I was drooling over the 2013 F Sport. Trying to be a bit frugal lol.

I knew before buying that the the tech for iPod/iPhone integration still really sucks - very 2008-ish:

1. Want to go to the middle of a 99 song playlist? Take about 5 minutes to slooooooowly scroll through it 5 songs at a time. Don't even think about a 200 song playlist!

2. Did I mention how slow it is?

3. No additional helpful search abilities like ABC DEF GHI etc. My artist list would take 5 days to get to the "N" section.

4. And the list goes on. I already long for the old hard drive - it was so much faster once you put the music in.

So, is there anything out there that truly upgrades a 2012 Mark Levinson in terms of capabilities? I don't care about video, just music.

nsaldanh

How does the ML sound? I went from a 2008 to 2012 and the ML system in the 2012 is nowhere as good as the 2008. Bass is missing and it just doesn't sound as good.

Upgrades - depending on how far you want to go could cost between $1K - $3K.

MrDC1000

Still the best sound system on the market imo. The 2012 to me has even more clarity, but does lack some of the oomph my 2008 had. Small trade-off.

Again, the only issue I have is the poor integration with USB/iPod devices. Does the ViasTech make any difference for something as new as the 2012?

nsaldanh

I don't have any experience on the ViasTech units. The USB and Bluetooth interfaces are rather elementary. For bluetooth you can just go up or down the playlist. You can't pick a specific song. USB is a little better but very slow to navigate.

Build a DVD audio disc. It holds much more than a CD and you have more control options.

MrDC1000

Hmmmm, can yuo explain DVD-Audio a bit more?

1. What additional capabilities does it offer?
2. What kind of song capacity does it hold?
3. Can you burn from iTunes?
4. Does it take a special burner or do most PC Dvd burners work?

I googled and saw an 8.5gb capacity, which could at least hold a pretty good size playlist, depending upon the sample rate of course. Perhaps put my best songs on that, and use my iPod for the complete collection?

I don't know, just trying to think through options. Thanks

jgbackes

iTrader: (2)

If you connect to your iPhone via Bluetooth, you can use the iPhone to select what you want to listen to,

nsaldanh

MrDC1000,

Here is some information on DVD-Audio

1. Please see this site - http://www.cirlinca.com/ It will give you some of the advantages of creating DVD audio discs for use in the car. You can also try out their software for free for 30 days or create 5 DVD audio discs.
2. You can control the audio from the normal controls of the head unit. You can't pick a song though while the car is moving.
3. If your music is in mp3 format in iTunes you will need to convert to apple AIFF or WAV and then you can import into the tool and from there burn to DVD-audio.
4. If you have high quality audio files - 24 bit/48 or 96Khz then you will really see the difference.
5. You can put about 7 CDs on a 4.7GB standard DVD. I have not tried the higher capacity DVDs.
6. Most PC DVD burners will work. You also need to use the cirlinca software to burn your music to DVD-audio.

Good luck!. I am much happier with this solution. To compensate for Lexus rolling off the bass I equalize the music before I burn to DVD and that boosts the bass that grandma lexus seems to be rolling off to save their amps.

spwolf

vaistech, lookup on google... crazy good android integration and iphone is coming too (use any mobile app on your lexus touch screen).

jdp1955

Will the DVD audio discs work in my 2005 LS 430?? Thx, Jim

nsaldanh

only if your head unit supports DVD Audio discs. The owners manual will indicate if it does or not. I also think DVD audio is only available on the Mark Levinson units.