Right. Except there aren't any. There are no bits on a CD. What you think are bits are really pits and land. Low and high. The pits and land are different lengths, the length corresponding to a word or string of bits. So a pit or land does not correspond to a 1 or a 0 it corresponds to a whole string of 1's and 0's. Since the length of the pit or land is what determines the string then timing matters which means when you really get right down to it its analog not digital.
Bad analog, at that. So of course they will sound inferior. But that was not your question. You asked, will the old unit sound "as" inferior. In other words, is one digital less crappy than another, or are they all equally crappy? Unfortunately here the news is even worse. The only way to know is try and hear for yourself. Just to let you know in advance, this is bound to be unpleasant. But as Mike says you play the cards you're dealt.
Bad analog, at that. So of course they will sound inferior. But that was not your question. You asked, will the old unit sound "as" inferior. In other words, is one digital less crappy than another, or are they all equally crappy? Unfortunately here the news is even worse. The only way to know is try and hear for yourself. Just to let you know in advance, this is bound to be unpleasant. But as Mike says you play the cards you're dealt.