Hi Donsz - thanks for the feedback.... Good points all... When I went for the independent review, the company is a high end car audio installer. He commented about the speakers I have and said that they sell the same ones and they're high quality. The antenna is a plug 'n play... all grounded, etc. All that's required is to plug it into the back of the radio.
Like I've said, it sounds great. But it's the foolish intermittent issues that keep it from being 100%. Are the problems annoying? Yup. But not worth trashing the $550.00 I've spent on it. Would I take a replacement from Antique Auto Radio? Yup. If they won't replace it will I send it back a FOURTH time to look at the very same problems? Nope. I have zero confidence that they can get it right. If I bite the bullet, it will be to take it to someone who can fix the problem without the attitude.
Thanks for the input.