Well, despite a great offer from a member offline, I decided to try this install on my own. Needed some medication for the usual pain/muscle issues and all, but really wanted to try on my own. Used my car first, in case something screwed up - the spouse's car will be next.
Except for some guidance on considerations for placement of the GLI - in this case, I taped it to the bottom of the radio assembly - everything was very clear. I added a scratch to my shifter knob when a towel covering fell off, but otherwise things look good. I'm also noticing a number of small scratches on the plate which surrounds the shifter knob, but those are too numerous to have been done by this assembly (and, it was covered with a towel after removal). Just the typical worries and oversensitivity after doing a custom interior job.
My drilling for a grommet next to the DC plug in the handrest compartment went slightly astray (stupid muscle issues!), but the grommet covered up most of the issue well. I keep a syncwrap on the shipped line out cable, so as to manage the length easily.
But, the sound works exactly as expected. Turn the COWON D2 to volume 49 with flat EQ and no effects (which emulates a Line Out signal, in many ways), and the volume on my Outback 2.5i Limited head unit stays either the same or a 1-2 numbers higher than usual with CDs. Quality is just what I desired to hear - no noise, no filtering, no EQ added.
It would have taken me about 2.5 hours, but overlapped with dinner and bedtime for the kids.
Next comes the Forester.
I'd recommend this for any Subaru owner looking for similar Aux In capability.
- wader