what happened to cd player build quality ?

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.

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.