CD player for A4q

[elkan@cs.ucsd.edu (Charles Elkan)]

I have a 1996 A4 quattro, and I've been waiting for months for
the local car stereo shops to get the adapter that would let
them install an Alpine CD changer (I'm in San Diego).  It's
still not available, and I'm going on a long trip in ten days
from now.

The idea came to me that I could just get a new head unit with
a CD player in it, and forget the changer.  I'd like to get the
collective wisdom of this list on this possibility:

(1) Is it much better to have a changer than a head unit that you
put single CDs into, like a cassette player?

(2) Would aftermarket radio/CD units fit into the Audi Delta slot?
Would these be compatible electronically with the existing antenna
and Bose amplifiers and speakers?  Can I trust a local installation
shop to do the job right the first time?

(3) What brand and model do you recommend that would have high build
quality and sound quality, and look compatible with the A4 dash, i.e
have red on black electronic displays?

(4) Does anyone on this list want to buy a six-month-old Audi Delta
radio/cassette i perfect working order?

Thanks for any information or opinions!

Charles