Yeah, before getting the empeg, I went through a few Sony CD players. They do tend to stop working after a few years.

Looking back on it, I don't understand why I kept getting Sony brand CD players. I think that each time I went to buy a new one, the Sonys had the best feature-set for the price and I figured that the amortized cost of the player was still acceptable as long as I got a couple of years' use out of it.

Yes, the hole on the back can be screwed to that metal strip to stabilize it. Does the edge of the stereo "hole" look like it will hold the bent tabs of the player's sled? If so, we could be golden. Make sure to locate a proper screw and the necessary washers to screw into that back hole.