it is like the jump from in car transistor radio to a cd multi changer in one step.

This is true. However, I recently was at an import car show (basically all souped-up Civics) and saw no Empegs. There is no reason the SB marketing machine could not have penetrated at least this niche group of people.

My opinion is this... If you are going to spend thousands of dollars on a sound system, there better be an Empeg in there. And, if there isn't, you had better have a damn good reason.