Modern technology wrapped in a classic package

<rant>

The one thing that I CANNOT stand about after market audio players are all the dizzying displays, lights, buttons, etc. I know these flashy units are popular but have you ever tried to find a head unit that looks simple? They're downright impossible to find! I just cant bring myself to fudge up an otherwise beautiful center consul with such trashy after market bling.

Now days there are more and more of these "retro" deigns for classic car guys but where is my modern head unit for a W124 500E or E34 M5? Best I've found as of yet is the $$$McIntosh$$$ and even that is lacking in some modern feature such as iPod integration.

</rant>

Amen to that, it is going the same way that shelf systems have over time. They used to be very simple with clean lines, now they look like a low-rider on steroids. It's getting harder and harder to find a good stereo with good styling.

do they sell mcintoshes in the US?

McIntosh is actually an American company... well, that is until they were bought by Clarion and later sold to D&M. But in large part, they are still very American and nearly everything that comes off the assembly line gets sold here in the states.

I would agree that Alpine has the most simplistic designs but still far too futuristic and bright for my tastes.

Reminds me of "custom look" and "custom fit" Pianola radios imported from Japan in the early seventies.

have you ever heard of common sense? this is about stereos with retro styling and modern features.It doesn't have anything to do with ML sound quality. I'm barely older than you and I'm surprised at how dumb you can be.

I love the classic Becker Pinstripe radio in my 1973 Mercedes W114 280. They werent the best radios but they sure look like a conversation piece on your dash. These old radios are retailing on E-bay for $350.00 (in good condition of course).

I would find it feasable and smart to go with one of these radios for a daily driver (not a true restoration) as it has all the modern conveniences like digital tuning versus manual (its a pain I know) high quality sound, etc.. in a retro package that wont stick out like a sore thumb inside your classic car.