Chuck Gould wrote:
Each time I resolved to replace the stereo system on my boat this
year, it would start working properly again and the task would drop
several notches on the priority list. Saturday, it gave up the ghost-
wouldn't turn on until about 50 attempts had been mae pressing the
switch, and even then the digital display was kaput. Only about 14
years' service from that unit- I guess they just don't make them like
they used to. :-)

Speaking of not making them like they used to.........

Holy Smackaroons

Used to think I knew a few things about car stereo (my stereo mounts
in the cabin where it's pretty protected- and I don't need/won't buy
"marine" version). Looking at the specs for potential replacements, I
can see where the industry has evolved substantially in the last 14
years while my technical awareness has not. It's like learning a new
language.

Questions for the more techinally hip:

1. Anybody got "HD" FM radio? Would you rate the difference in sound
quality as indistinguishable, marginal, or substantial?

2. Anybody using "memory cards" for music storage? Actually sounds
like a better approach than hooking up an external iPod, at least at
first blush. (We've got an entire galley drawer filled with CD's,
etc....would be nice to free up that space and store the music data on
something much smaller). So:

3. What are the pros and cons of memory cards, mp3 CD's, CD changers,
separate iPod's etc? There's a real smorgasbord og choices now
available.

4. Any general advice on this subject?

Chuck,

Ipod is generally considered the most user friendly music player, and
the universal complaint is no FM reciever and the fact that you can only
you download music from ITunes, and that will lock you up with Ipod
because only Ipod will play Itune purchased music.

You will be able to load all your CD's into the Ipod, so if you did not
plan on buying the music online it is no big deal.

I personally would buy the Ipod Nano and I FM/CD Player Tuner with the
ability to plug your Ipod Nano into the Tuner. The Ipod Nano will hold
about 1000 - 2000 songs, which is all I need in a MP3 player.

http://www.apple.com/ipodnano/