Has CD playback evolved in the last 5 years?

The capabilities of CDP's are constantly changing (improving ?) and players now are vastly better than they were for the first 10 to 15 years. But in the last 10 to 15 years the changes are not so clear and often are offerred at fairly high prices. But CDP's, like all other audio components, have their individual qualities, mostly in tonal matters. There are many variations available.

I can think of no fundamental changes the CD playback which have just appeared in the last 5 years. There are a lot of small and incremental changes of varying value. I'm sure that there are alternatives to the Arcan FMJ23 that someone would prefer, as with everything else, but if you have no problems with the Arcam and, for example, can not think of anything you want to change or improve about it, save your money until it dies. Sit back and enjoy what you have.

What about the use of multiple DAC chips in the CD units and improvements in the technology of onboard DACS in the last 10 years?

I can personally attest that conversion of PCM two 2xDSD as is done in the EMM Labs (and Playback Designs I believe), has taken CD playback to a different level (for me anyway). If this level with attainable 5 years ago, and if so at what pricepoint I do not know. Also don't know how othe expensive DACs stack up against this technology.

there is no arguing with impprovements in technology, but, someone may prefer a dac or player that is 15 years old to many dacs and/or players in current production.

there is no arguing with impprovements in technology, but, someone may prefer a dac or player that is 15 years old to many dacs and/or players in current production.
Mrtennis

Nailed it. My cdp is more than 10 years old but I prefer it to every newer cdp I've tried.