what happened to cd player build quality ?

Costs are up, profits are down. Everyone wants something for nothing. How is a manufacturer supposed to compete in the marketplace? What sells the most, a $100 CDP or a $1000? People want it cheap.

Quality is seldom an issue when it comes to buying anything these days. Consumers would rather spend $2.50 at McDonalds for a 1/4 pounder than $2.95 for a burger from the little mom and pop diner that uses real meat. Look at the cars on the road! I would not own most of them!

I wonder (as the retail price of my system pushes the $50,000 mark) what the average retail cost of a stereo is now.

Too many people want the illusion of quality at the price of Goodwill. Manufacturers have to give the people what they want or the next company will.

So Nrchy, when do I get one of those burgers?

I understand your place makes the best, but quite a drive from where I live.

McD's doesn't use real meat? :-(

One thing I would like to add is there is a difference in priorities these days.

In the past(1980s), most CD players came from Japan. The rule of the day was "Perfect Sound Forever", and many believed tha CD's sound was perfect. The emphasis was on quality and features. Most Japanese firms produced incredible quality, as witnessed by my Pioneer PD-5100, which still works perfectly. Moving up the price ladder bought more features and doo dads.

Today, mass market equipment is produced in China, still to price points, such as $99, $129, etc. and the quality is simply far inferior to what was made 15 years ago.

Audiophile equipment is produced by smaller companies, and their focus is on sound, detachable power cords, cosmetics(thick faceplate), and profit. This is not to say that quality is not important, but I feel that their passion lies in other areas, whereas previously the passion was quality.

As such, I agree, CD players were of a higher quality, from a Consumer Reports perspective, in the past.

Albert I'd bring one along, but by the time I get to your place it would probably be either cold or bad. See you in a couple of weeks.

Clbeanz you appearantly don't recall the McD Australian kangaroo meat uproar from several years ago!?!