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Is computer audio pushing up the price of CDPs?

Having heard several times, computer audio accessed via an I-PAD, I-POD and I-phones, I have to say I was impressed by the purity and ease of the sound. However, I did NOT go out and junk MY CD player and other related components

However, I am curious if the so-called purity of computer audio has set the bar higher in terms of sound quality for CDs and especially players. As evidence of this, the average price of a used player on AG seems to have increased dramatically. Many used players seem to begin at about $1500 to a range of $2000, and begin a new level that starts at $2500 and vigorously moves forward to upper $3000; then, jumps again from $4500 up several at $7000 to $9000, and a few $10,000 to $11,000 plus. These are not necessarily two piece units of separate DAC and Transport, but integrated CDP which specify the high quality of the inboard DAC, and flexibility of the player digital inputs.

I have to conclude, that consumers over the last 2-3 years, reluctant to jump into computer audio, just went out and spent 2 or 3 times more than what they would normally have spent for a CDP, assuming, AND also validating in store the sound quality of these upper tier CDPs. Were they hoping that their way over budget investment outdistanced any server file of digital music??

Would like to hear both pros and cons on the issue or issues I have provided. Thanks
sunnyjim
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,903 posts
 
I don't think CDP prices have risen in response to "better sound forever" servers. It's deja vu all over again (thanks Yogi). Way too many threads here about which format wins and it all boils down to what sounds best to you and how much are you willing to spend to get there.

As for setting the bar higher, I think it was all just a matter of advances in digital that both formats benefited from and the new kid on the block (PC audio) simply stole the limelight from the oldboy, CDPs, until some folk took notice of just how good they can still sound.

All the best,
Nonoise
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
I'd say in the last 10 years, CD players have had a significant advancement in sound quality; better DAC and clock technology, transports, preventing jitter. These are not at all like the CDPs we used in the early days of digital.
Also, I think people have realized that CD and computer audio can coexist, and you need a good transport if you are using an external DAC.
djohnson54
396 posts
 
Jim, I don't know if this has occurred (haven't done any research) but it seems to me that the market is shifting. I think that persons who would have been in the market for an inexpensive CD player are more likely to switch to streaming than those who were buying the expensive players. It wouldn't be unreasonable for manufacturers to simply be catering to their (perceived) audience by shifting to more expensive equipment.

Dick
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
That has happened in the 'changer' CDP market. The Sony 300 disc units are a good example. Sony itself sold these units as refurb's for about $100 a few years ago, now these units go for $300 plus. I have three of these units chained together. They work great, sounding almost as good as my $3000 hi end player in my main system. My computer audio is limited to ripped MP3 files for use in my mobile player. I just love that I have 900 CD's at my finger tips to quickly play. I keep the file system in an Excel spread sheet which adds to the convenience. For me it did not make any sense to put my 10,000 CDS in a computer file.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,342 posts
 
Probably.

Many newer digital technologies/products are increasingly supplanting a dedicated CD only player for home audio use only. Its already become a small niche product on map overall.

Multi format music/video disk format players seem way more common these days.

I bought a CD player/recorded several years back. I only use it to record vinyl and other analog sources though my system these days. I never play CDs anymore. They all get ripped to music server. I do play a DVD on occasion via DVD player. Not a big video fan so I never bought into Blu-ray.
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