Need general head unit advice

[janstett]

I have an '00 TA with the Monsoon system. This thing has been dying a slow death (left channel has slowly but steadily been going away, becoming fainter and fainter requiring me to shift balance to compensate; now the LED backlighting stopped working so I can't read the already pathetic display, and sometimes the sound "pulsates" on and off in the rear channels. Time for it to go.

I just need some general advice.

- Non-standard size. I can already see double-din won't fit without modifications. No problem, I'll do a search on that to find more info. A few years ago it was easy to find radios made for the GM & Chrysler non-standard sizes but a quick tour of Crutchfield shows they're harder to find. Any other sources for this?

- Monsoon. Is this going to be a problem in just doing a head unit swap? I understand they use a stupid amp in the passenger kick panel to do speaker-level amplification for the front speakers.

- Screen. I don't quite need a navigation system but I'd consider one if it's a deal. I'm not looking for a gimmicky or cheap LCD just for the sake of having it. I'd also consider DVD playback but don't need it.

- My needs. I mostly listen to my iPod or Sirius (I have a Stiletto). So I have to have at least one aux input, preferably two. I could do without a CD but nice to have.

- The cheap alternative -- I could just try to find another GM/Monsoon head unit. A quick survey of eBay shows a few head units, but I'm wondering how much play I have in terms of upgrading, and if the factory connectors will just work if I go this way.

[bigrondownhiller]

If you want both satellite and i-pod readiness, I would get any regular din sized unit. Some have satellite already integrated. Most mid to upper range units will have 2 inputs so you can use the i-pod and satellite.