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Lightning Audio LA-1000 Digital media receiver

Item # 495LA1000

You'd like to replace your old radio with a new car stereo that'll play all the music you've stored in...

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You'd like to replace your old radio with a new car stereo that'll play all the music you've stored in...

6 questions - 16 answers

Item # 495LA1000

Shop all Lightning Audio Car Stereos

About the Lightning Audio LA-1000

Charlie Pastorfield

Keep it simple

You'd like to replace your old radio with a new car stereo that'll play all the music you've stored in your portable player, but you're on a budget. Lightning Audio's LA-1000 digital media receiver offers plenty of connections for your media, along with an easy-to-read display. On its front panel, you'll find a USB port for plugging in a thumb drive full of music, along with a mini-jack plug for most other audio sources. You can also slide an SD card loaded with music into the slot located behind the face.

Keep it simple

You'd like to replace your old radio with a new car stereo that'll play all the music you've stored in your portable player, but you're on a budget. Lightning Audio's LA-1000 digital media receiver offers plenty of connections for your media, along with an easy-to-read display. On its front panel, you'll find a USB port for plugging in a thumb drive full of music, along with a mini-jack plug for most other audio sources. You can also slide an SD card loaded with music into the slot located behind the face.

Old school

If you listen to AM/FM radio, you'll appreciate the six preset buttons on the driver's side of the control panel. The big volume knob comes in handy when you're trying to keep your eyes on the road, and Lightning Audio includes a wireless remote for your passengers. The 3-band equalizer is helpful when you're trying to make quick adjustments from one artist to the next. You can detach the front panel for a little extra peace of mind when you park on the wrong side of town.

This digital media receiver will not play CDs. If you want to play CDs in your vehicle, we offer a wide selection of CD receivers.

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Product highlights:

    General features:
    • digital media receiver with AM/FM tuner (does not play CDs)
    • detachable face with single-line display and blue button illumination
    • plays MP3 and WMA music files
    • built-in amplifier (22 watts RMS/50 peak x 4 channels)
    • remote control
    Audio features:
    • 3-band equalizer with 4 presets curves (1 user-adjustable curve)
    Expandability:
    • inputs: front USB port (no iPod control), front auxiliary input, SD card slot
    • outputs: 3-channel preamp outputs (rear, mono sub)
    Other features and specs:
    • warranty: 1 year
    • MFR # LA-1000

    What's in the box:

    • Digital media receiver (10A fuse installed)
    • Detachable face (attached)
    • Trim ring (installed)
    • Sleeve (installed)
    • Power harness
    • Speaker harness
    • Remote control
    • CR2025 3V battery
    • 2 ISO-screws
    • 2 Removal keys
    • Mounting backstrap
    • Mounting screw
    • Flat washer
    • Lock washer
    • Hex-nut
    • Cloth carrying pouch
    • Owner's Manual

    Customer reviews for Lightning Audio LA-1000

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    Average review:

    4.5 out of 5 stars
    26 reviews

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    More details on the Lightning Audio LA-1000

    Stacey B.

    Features & specs

    Expandability
    AUX Input Front
    Audio/video Input ---
    USB Input Front
    USB Port Power ---
    Backup Camera Input No
    Second Camera Input No
    CarPlay No
    Android Auto No
    Siri Control No
    Alexa Voice Control
    Android Control Yes
    Memory Card Slot USB, SD/SDHC
    Bluetooth Compatible No
    Satellite Radio Ready No
    HD Radio No
    Navigation ---
    iPod Compatibility
    Full size N/A
    Nano N/A
    Touch N/A
    iPhone N/A
    General
    RMS Power (CTA-2006) N/A
    RMS Power (Manufacturer) ---
    Peak Output 50 watts
    RMS Power Bandwidth 20-20kHz
    Preamp Outputs 3-channel
    Sub Preamp Outputs Yes
    Switchable Rear Preamp Outputs No
    Video Screen No
    Navigation App Compatible (iOS)
    Navigation App Compatible (Android)
    Preamp Voltage 1.2 volts
    Screen Size ---
    Screen Type ---
    Display Color White/Black
    Key Button Color Blue
    EQ Bands 3
    Wireless Remote Yes
    Steering Wheel Control Compatible No
    Parts Warranty 1 Year
    Labor Warranty 1 Year
    Tuner
    FM Sensitivity 40 dBf
    European Tuning Yes
    Seek/Scan Seek
    Radio Data System Yes
    File Playback
    Music File Playback MP3, WMA
    High-res Playback

    Product Research

    Digital Media + AUX Input
    Audio Section
    Tuner Functions
    Display Features
    Remote Control

    Digital Media + AUX Input

    Front-Panel USB Port: The Lightning Audio LA-1000 digital media receiver features a front-panel USB (type-A) port for connection of USB mass-storage class device; such as your Android smartphone, portable digital audio player, or USB thumbdrive. The USB port enables audio playback and control of MP3/WMA audio files (formatted in FAT 8/16/32) stored on a portable USB mass-storage class device. The head unit's USB connection provides 500mA of current to power and charge your connected USB mass storage class device when your vehicle's ignition switch is set to the 'ACC' or 'On' position.

    Note: You cannot connect a USB device via a USB hub or Multi-Card Reader to this unit. The front-panel USB port does not support Apple iPod/iPhone/iPad.

    Front-Panel SD-Card Slot: The LA-1000 digital media receiver is equipped with a front-panel SD-card slot which is hidden behind the unit's detachable face plate. The receiver's SD-card slot supports playback of MP3/WMA music (formatted in FAT 8/16/32) files loaded onto a SD/SDHC memory card (up to 32GB).

    Information Display: The LA-1000 will display your MP3/WMA's music file information (ID-3/WMA-tags); such as Track number, Elapsed playing time, Artist name, Song title, and Album label.

    Search Modes: The Lightning Audio LA-1000 digital media receiver offers Track Search, Character Search, and Directory Search modes to help you locate music files on your USB device or SD/SDHC card.

    • Track Search: You can enter the track number ("000") of a music file contained on a USB device or SD/SDHC memory card for direct access.
    • Character Search: You can search for your MP3/WMA music tracks alphabetically (A-Z) or numerically (0-9) by entering in a single character.
    • Directory Search: Directory Search displays a list of MP3/WMA folders and tracks on a connected USB memory device or SD/SDHC memory card, so you can scroll through your music.

    Playback Modes: In addition to Normal playback, you can select from Repeat and Random playback modes.

    • Repeat: Track Repeat (plays the current track repeatedly), Folder Repeat (plays all tracks of the current folder repeatedly), Off (cancels repeat function)
    • Random: All Random (plays all tracks at random), Off (cancels random function)

    Front-Panel Aux Input: A front-panel stereo minijack is provided to allow the connection of almost any portable audio source with a 3.5mm headphone output. Simply connect your portable digital music player to the unit's front-panel auxiliary input, and you can listen to the audio from the portable player through the speakers in your mobile audio system.

    Audio Section

    22W x 4CH Amplifier: The Lightning Audio LA-1000 digital media receiver employs a 22W x 4Ch RMS amplifier (50W x 4Ch Peak).

    3CH/1.2V RCA Outputs: The Lightning Audio LA-1000 is equipped with a pair of 1.2V front-channel RCA outputs and a single 1.2V mono-sub RCA output for connection of external amplifiers.

    3-Band EQ w/ 4 Presets: The LA-1000 offers 4 preset EQ modes (Flat/Classic/Rock/Pop), plus a User EQ mode. The User EQ mode lets you manually adjust the receiver's 3-band equalizer (bass/mid/treble).

    Programmable Turn-On Volume: You can set the head unit to turn-on to the last volume level adjustment when turned off, or turn-on to a pre-defined volume level (0-30) every time you power up the radio.

    Loudness: This function enhances low and high frequencies to make the sound clearer lower volumes.

    Key Beep: The in-dash head unit provides an audible beep to confirm button operation. This function can be turned On or Off.

    Tuner Functions

    AM/FM Tuner: The Lightning Audio LA-1000 features a built-in AM/FM tuner with manual, seek, and preset tuning.

    18 FM/12 AM Presets: You can store a total of 18 FM stations presets and 12 AM station presets, manually or automatically. 

    RDS: The Radio Data System (RDS) feature displays radio broadcast information such as artist, title, and album when listening to compatible AM/FM stations.

    Local Seek Mode: The unit's tuner also is equipped with a Seek mode that when used with the Local function, only allows radio stations with a strong local radio signals to be played.

    Mono Mode: If an analog FM stereo broadcast is hard to receive, you can manually switch the tuner to Mono operation. 

    US/European Tuning: You can set the built-in AM/FM tuner between US standard and European tuning spacing.

    Display Features

    Detachable Face: The Lightning Audio LA-1000 features a detachable face to deter theft (soft cloth pouch is included). An optional soft face case (142DFC1X, sold separately) can also be purchased for this unit.

    Single-Line LCD: The digital media receiver uses a single-line LCD with white text and black background.

    12/24 Hour Clock: You can set the unit to display a 12 or 24 hour clock.

    Remote Control

    IR Remote: The LA-1000 comes with an IR remote control for wireless operation of the digital media receiver.

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    Customer Q&A

    6 questions already asked

    Q
    My excursion has a stock DVD player in the back seat will this work with the DVD player?
    adam  Jun 19, 2015
    1 answer
    A
    You will want to contact an Advisor by phone (1-800-324-9695) or online chat to discuss compatibility with your factory system. They will be able to pull up your vehicle and see if this will integrate. If it does not, then they will also be able to discuss other options with you.
    greg  Jun 20, 2015 (Staff)
    Q
    Using my smartphone, can I play pandora?
    weber  May 26, 2015
    4 answers
    A
    yup....plug it in to the aux port and it would work.
    robert  May 27, 2015
    A
    By using the aux input we have not been able to get the usb to work with a smartphone
    hipolito  May 27, 2015
    A
    You would have to plug your smartphone into the LA 1000 with a cable. The unit does not have Blue Tooth
    joseph p  May 27, 2015
    A
    Not that i know of, I never used pandora on this unit
    armando  May 27, 2015
    Q
    Is this compatible with the stock Bose Concert wiring on the 2002 TT?
    jdampf  Mar 26, 2015
    1 answer
    A
    You will want to contact an Advisor by phone (1-800-324-9695) or online chat to discuss compatibility with your factory system. They will be able to pull up your vehicle and see if this will integrate. If it does not, then they will also be able to discuss other options with you.
    greg  Mar 26, 2015 (Staff)
    Q
    Does it charge phones well?
    markh  Mar 23, 2015
    4 answers
    A
    Sorry i can't answer that, I returned this stereo for a different model before i received it
    armando  Mar 23, 2015
    A
    Yea it works fine. Not the fastest but it works if your playing music through your phone at the same time. It'll still charge fine either way.
    tyler a  Mar 23, 2015
    A
    Honestly not really. And the mounting was a little difficult to figure out but for the price was a good little radio
    kyle  Mar 23, 2015
    A
    NO it doesnt.
    patrick  Mar 23, 2015
    Q
    Does it charge smartphones well?
    markh  Mar 23, 2015
    3 answers
    A
    It charges my Moto X (1st gen). The first time I plugged my phone in I was prompted to download an Kenwood app from the Google Play store.
    michael b  Mar 26, 2015
    A
    Hey Mark, I can't really say as that unit didn't last that long. I ended up buying something else...from Crutchfield of course. I bought 3 of the same for each of our vehicles and they work fine. They play cds, usb and connection for all the other stuffplus they aren't expensive. I'm at my computer and don't remember the model but if your interested let me know and i'll get the skinny. Hope this helps. Good luck. Dan
    dan  Mar 23, 2015
    A
    Yes it does.
    rebecca  Mar 23, 2015
    Q
    does it have a dimmer on the display?
    william  Aug 31, 2014
    3 answers
    A
    I don't know, This is not the unit that i have. Thank you for asking
    armando  Aug 31, 2014
    A
    Yes, it has a dimmer.
    francisco a  Aug 31, 2014
    A
    No it does not. But it's not super bright. So not bad. A great radio for the price.
    kyle  Aug 31, 2014
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