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What Sonically is the Difference between a $1,500 CD Player and a $10K-$25K One?

I realize opinions may vary, but if I could give an example of two CD players perhaps someone can give me their thoughts on the cost benefits of either one? What would be the difference in your opinion between say a Cambridge Audio Azur 851C CD Player and the Gryphon Scorpio S CD Player? And are the difference truly audible or more technical and rather indiscernible through human hearing?

In general, what makes a CD player (other than build components) 10x more costly than a decently built one other than features?
mrc4u
calvinj
2,514 posts
 
Transparency, depth, detail, image placement, space and dimensionality. The soulution 540 is the best player I have heard to date. 
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
8,109 posts
 
Thanks Liz.
68pete
1,006 posts
 
Going from a Oppo to a  to a Esoteric the difference was huge!
tuberist
951 posts
 
You'd be lucky and save a lot of money if you "auditioned" and couldn't hear any difference.
lhasaguy's avatar
lhasaguy
342 posts
 
There are places where large sums are wisely spent, and others where it is a fools errand.

Part of this hobby is discerning one from the other.  Not all of us have unlimited funds, yet we aspire to great sound to give us continuing joy.

CDs have the issue of player as well as recording.  And lasers have their own category.  Then you get into streaming where the source material may be suspect.

It gets more difficult to balance these factors juxtaposed against  our own individual preferences as we each continue our sonic journey.

For myself, a CD/SACD player over $2,500 is money not well spent.  Marginal cost versus marginal gain.
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