dmz, I think I have pretty much the same set up as you... Empeg using the OEM single-DIN radio for amplification (and radio) with something to fool it into thinking it's a CD player.

But if i was doing it over again (and didn't already have a single-DIN unit) I would still go for an aftermarket deck. Actually, I wouldn't use one at all and would just use an amp, but I like the benefit of having the radio there. Using a decent aftermarket deck should, by most accounts, improve the sound if you're using it as an amplifier - that's what i always hear anyway, but who knows if that's just a placebo affect. In addition, you'd probably end up with a CD player as well - and I know we sometimes heap scorn on CDs here, but they're not all bad sometimes, and it's certainly better than the cassette unit the OEM radio has. The only benefit of using the VW radio is that it looks cool. Being able to use the steering wheel controls would also be cool but can't that only really be used for volume control when the empeg is playing? (I don't have them, so I don't really know).