[A4] Help: Installing a Bose Symphony head unit in a non-Bose A4

[Ray Boyce]

Hello from a long-time lurker and infrequent poster.

I own a 2000 A4 1.8T Avant with the non-Bose Symphony head unit. The CD
player went dead a couple of months ago (very common, apparently), so I just
bought a used Symphony head unit off eBay (same part number as mine).
However, it appears that the Symphony unit that I just bought has the "Bose"
option (it displays "Bose" upon startup). So, I'm having compatibility
problems (only the rear speakers work). Here are my questions:

1. Is this behavior (only the rear speakers working) expected if you install
a Bose Symphony unit in a non-Bose car?
2.If so, is this because the "Bose" cars use a seperate power amp for the
front speakers?
3. Is it true that I can re-program (using a VAG tool) the Symphony head
unit that I just bought so that it will NOT use the "Bose" option?
4. If so, how do the front speakers get power in a non-Bose system? From the
head unit itself?
5. What should I expect (in terms of price and attitude) from an Audi
service department if I ask them to re-program my new radio?
6. Does anyone have any recommendation as to an independent shop/mechanic in
the Boston area that can reprogram my new radio?

Any knowledge and experiences that people can share would be greatly
appreciated.

TIA,

ray
Ray Boyce
2000 A4 Avant 1.8T 5sp
rayboyce at comcast.net