Thanks guys, sorry for my slow response.

I ended up getting the IDA-X100 installed, along with an Alpine MRP-F300 amp and Pioneer Premier speakers, 4" in the front, and 6.5" in the back. I had planned on doing the install myself, but quite frankly, just didn't have the time, and wanted to get the gear in there in time for a little Valentine's Day road trip I went on last weekend. I was initially a little skeptical about the speakers, but they're very musical, and I like them. I looked at lots of others, including the Kappas. I opted to leave the stock speakers in the door for now; they're running off the head unit, whereas the 4 new speakers are running off the amp. It sounds good overall, I'm happy with it. The IDA-X100's control of the iPod is the best I've used yet, and I've had a bunch of iPod head units.*

IWROCK... I did read your fine writeup, and considered doing exactly that, but in the end, pretty much just let the guys at Paradyme do their thing. I'm in Downtown Sac, what about you? Anyone else around here? We oughtta have a meetup one of these days.