I was using that setup for about a year and a half. Honestly, the quality degradation wasn't noticeable (not in my noisy Nissan NX, anyway). It was just a bit inconvenient to have to plug everything in manually, instead of sliding it into the dock. I recommend getting plenty of one amp fuses for the cigarette lighter adapter, though, because one accidental touch of the power lead to the case ground will blow a fuse right smart. And if you're not using a fused adapter, then beware...

(Now going through week 2 of Empeg Withdrawal - the whimpering, twitching phase).

Paul