Yeah, we've got a 2004 Subaru Liberty and there's no chance of removing the original stereo without at least chopping the front panel up and fabricating a new one. I'd guess behind the scenes it's also in an intimate embrace with the aircon and stuff. DIN is definitely on the way out, as CD players and changers are now considered standard in cars rather than an optional extra. Most car buyers don't ever think of upgrading their stereo.

It's sad.

Which is why, if there ever was an empeg Mark III - which I still maintain there is a market for - it would be better as a set of discrete components. A display that you can place anywhere, a control that you can place anywhere, and the hard disk unit with audio out that you can place anywhere. Link them by bluetooth if you're clever and expensive, though serial wire would do. But this idea has been done to death and I don't see anyone leaping up and saying "well, we're working on it...". Which is very saddening.

Still, we've got the great car stereos, why do we have to worry about what might have been?

Paul