I went the same direction, buying a Kenwood 315S CD receiver, which is $200 on Crutchfield. You have to add their CA-C1AX adapter (for $20) to go from CD changer input to RCA ins for the Empeg, but it's a great head unit. 45W per channel, but more importantly, 22W RMS. Most heads at this price (incl. the Blau Alaska which I also considered)are 17W RMS at the most. You'll notice the extra punch. It's pretty much a no frills head (no pretty equalizer display or anything), but what do you really need in a head unit when you've got the Empeg. I like having AM/FM, CD, and, of course, the Empeg. Good head unit for exactly what you want. The only issue that may bother some is the remote protocol is the same as the Empeg remote, but I actually find that beneficial, you just have to know what you're pointing it at. That's definitely not enough to recommend against this head unit though.

-Tony
MkII #554