Huw wrote:

The head units with a CD player and a hard disc are interesting and
if they had sufficient capacity [40gigs say] would be an even better
solution to my need, being essentially an Ipod/zen type storage
device combined with conventional disc head unit. Is there such a
thing with quality and features at a reasonable price, say less than
£450?

The Sony MEX-1HD is pretty good, I've got one of these in my A4. It's a
little awkward to get music onto it though as you have to rip each CD
individually (although apparently you can use a memory stick to move
ATRAC files between your PC and the unit, but I haven't yet done this).

Capacity is 16GB, but bear in mind this is ATRAC at either 105 or
132Kbit/sec, which sounds easily as good as MP3 at 192 or 256Kbit.

Once you've actually got your music onto it then it's a great bit of
kit, they seem to go for around the £3-400 mark on eBay.

--
Glenn Richards Tel: (01453) 845735
Squirrel Solutions http://www.squirrelsolutions.co.uk/

IT consultancy, hardware and software support, broadband installation