[EricK]

If you guys have some free time go over to the Lexus dealership and listen to the Mark Levinson Sound System in the GS430... FANTASTIC!!!! Use the settings Trebble 5 Bass 5 and Mid 0 ..... That seems to sound the best... There seems to be less trebble and bass than the Nakamichi sound system so it sounds perfect while turned to Max levels on the Mark Levinson. As I said in an earlier post, the Mark Levinson system alone is enough to sell the car... Has anyone else listened to it?
Eric...

 

[viggen]

Mark Levinson is married to Kim Cattrall (the old horny blonde in Sex and the City)

 

[EricK]

Oh I see.... Well that's nice.

 

[disintegration]

Maybe he should have been smart enough to put in a 6 disc in dash CD player like the IS instead of having to reach in the glove box to put in your CD's.

 

[EricK]

Originally posted by disintegration:
Maybe he should have been smart enough to put in a 6 disc in dash CD player like the IS instead of having to reach in the glove box to put in your CD's.

Well I don't think that had anything to do with Mark Levinson. That was the original Lexus set-up and that remained unchanged. I think the current set-up in the GS430 (with the player in the glovebox) is more reliable than the setup in the IS300 (discs getting stuck, mechanism problems). It doesn't take any glove box space either....
Eric...

 

[vvtipwr]

I'm a skeptic when it comes to factory "premium systems"...in my mind, they're overpriced and overrated

as a car stereo hobbyist, there's hella better gear to be had in the aftermarket.
and it does not take a PHD to determine where to best locate speakers (some car makers make it seem like it is).

so, for anyone that has experienced the Mark Levinson system and is a car stereo enthusiast, how does it sound? I'm really interested in this system as it has been getting all kinds of good reviews. How would it compare to say a pair some MB quarts/Diamond 3-way componenets setup powered by Phoenix gold/Soundstream amps W/ JLaudio/Boston Acoustics subs?

 

[EricK]

I know that there are aftermarket sound systems that are just phenominal. To tell you the truth, I'm not that familiar with highline aftermarket equipment. I've heard McIntosh and MbQuart but I can't tell you which models I've heard. Anyways I have listened to MANY different factory sound systems. When I had my GS400 I thought the Nakamichi system was the best by far until I heard the Mark Levinson (which in my opinion is better)....Since that you've had experience with aftermarket stuff, you should go to the dealership and listen to it and make your own judgement on how it compares to the aftermarket equipment that you mention. I thought the soundsystem in my E55 was nice but after listening to the Mark Levinson, it paled in comparion....It would be funny though to go to the dealship and ask for a "Test Listen" in their GS430 w/Mark Levinson.
Eric....