what happened to cd player build quality ?

Quality isn't the main goal anymore in so many fields. Why should high end gear be an exception even if the name "high end" suggests quality all over. I do think that if you're not a "bandwagon person" you might still get high quality in many respects - i.e. WADIA, McIntosh, Revel, Sonus Faber, Kimber Select and the like. OK, they do not offer the latest hype but down the road you will be better served than with any (Japanese) quick buck stuff out there.
You guess that I rely on all the above mentioned gear in my system and somehow I don't need this neverlasting upgrade every other month or so. Well, that's just my way and my HO.
Good luck!

I don't know what's the cause but I to have noticed this. It started appearing around the same time DVD players did, from my experience most DVD players don't hold up that well. I am not sure if its because with addition of DVD players in a lot of homes so many more parts are needed and quality control goes down due to the increased demand??? just a theory.

Yes, I heard you loud and clear, and I AGREE with you
1001%. I have 4 Sony ES 200 disc CD changers that were
made between 1997-1999. The Signal-To-Noise ratio is
116db on these changers. NOW Sony DOESN`T EVEN MAKE a
changer with more than 108db, and that`s the ES line!
Also, my CX90ES changers have alot more features than
the ones made today. BUT, I paid FULL Retail price
on those back in 1997 and 1998, at about $1000 EACH.
NOW you can get 400 disc changers for $600.
Sony realized that, why make a great changer when
only 1000 sell, just cut back on the FEATURES AND
PERFORMANCE, and you can sell, 100000 changers.
BOTTOM LINE: IT`S ALL ABOUT CORPORATE GREED! WHAT
SELLS THE MOST.
OH YES, forgot to mention that the changers
DO develope problems after 4-5 years.

Aida_w, most of the Japanese gear sold here in the U.S. is mid-fi, at best, or mass marketed crap in major chain stores. However, there is some very impressive high-end Jap. gear that does make it into the states...Accuphase and WAVAC are names that jump to mind. And never forget that high end is a very small niche market! For every great high end systems that is assembled by an audiophile, there are probably several thousand crap low-fi or no-fi systems that are sold. It's all about market research! Also, don't forget that even in high-end, there are some companies that spend megabucks on their advertising budget. Guess who pays for their advertising campaign...YOU DO! There are also charlatans in the high-end business; lots of advertising, schmoozing and freebees for reviewers, circuitry stolen from other engineer and designers, and basically, very little "bang for the buck". I won't mention any names, but if a manufacturer uses security screws to prevent removal of the top plate/chassis cover, or says "warrantee void if unit opened by other than authorized service facility", STAY AWAY! A manufacturer that is proud of their own (not copied) design will want consumers to look inside for the "Oh Wow" factor. Halcro uses an interesting strategy to keep others from copying their design...they "white out" many of the brands and numbers of internal component parts! Any manufacturer who seals the unit to prevent copying, has more than likely ripped off some of the circuit design from another!

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.