Need a little design assistance!

[jisturm]

Hey DIYMA folks. It has been a very long time since I have been on here. I took a large hiatus from Car Audio due to time constraints, family obligations, a new house and.....you know how it goes.

I have a new, well new to me, car and need a little help with design and picking out gear. The car is a 2006 VW GLi. Stock 6 disc stereo and all stock audio.

I am looking to do the following:

1. Integrate the iPod. I know not the best sound quality all the time, but it is rather easy to bring a ton of music into the car. I am not overly attached to the stock stereo.

2. Stealth. I regularly drive into Washington DC and would much prefer use the stock speaker locations as much as possible. I know the locations aren't ideal, but I was hoping to get "close" and make up the rest with allignment.

3. Trunk space is a must.

4. I would like to go with a single amp.

As for equipment, I am open to any and all suggestions.

As for budget, this project is going to be a long drawn out affair in order to achieve my goals but I don't want to spend an arm and a leg. Not ultra high end stuff, but mid-higher end. I would be purchasing piece by piece.

Thanks

[rawdawg]

1. Since you mentioned alignment, there are processors out there that you can plug an ipod directly into. Just make your playlists ahead of time so you don't kill yourself searching for songs. Or you can get Alpine's iPod Head unit controller that has the BurrBrown convertors. I've heard .wav files that I'd be hard pressed to differentiate against the OG source.

2. I've heard systems with stock locations that sound fine. Mind you, not world class mind blowing great but really good sound/staging. The funny thing is that they were all Honda's. There might be something to their doors and deep dashes.

3. Corner mounted Sub?

4. 5/6 channel amp? There's lot's of them available.

[HondAudio]

The ipod can have good sound quality... if you use Apple Lossless.

[jisturm]

Thanks! All music is ripped with apple lossless. What could I be looking at processor wise that'll allow ipod integration along with maybe keeping the stock HU?

[rawdawg]

I use a rockford 360.2 that has Aux. input for the ipod amongst other niceties.