Thank you for the detailed post!

I'd be interested if you had the details of the CDR-220 input. Specifically, there are five sockets on the back, A, B, C1, C2, and C3, with (from the CDR-220 consumer manual):

A: a variety of control and signal pins (all described)
B: 8 loundspeaker outputs (4x +ve, 4x -ve) (all described)
C1: pins 1-6: Line out (all described)
C2: pins 7-12: Special connection for Porsche CD changer / Sony MD changer
C3: pin 13: AF telephone input
pin 14: Earth - telephone input
pins 15-20: Special connection for Porsche CD changer / Sony MD changer

Apparently, Becker sells a aux cable (1319.116-276) that allows the CDR-220 to take aux inputs with a pair of RCA cables? Do you think this is all that is required (and hence I don't need the pin-outs after all)? However, any info you have on the Porsche CD changer or the Sony MD changer (I believe that the MDX-60 and MDX-61 are supposed to work, but not the MDX-62) and their interfaces would be greatly appreciated.

On Option 2, I've found out that the CDR-220 has a 'low power' or 'low level' output of 2.5V. Is this ok as an input to the Empeg (which is marked as 1V) or do I need to reduce the voltage somehow?

Using the Becker radio seems like the best plan all round, thanks.

Finally, which of option 2 (CDR220->Empeg->Amp) or option 3 (Empeg->CDR220->Amp) sounds better to you? Is there any reason to prefer one over the other?

Thanks again,
David.