Is computer audio pushing up the price of CDPs?

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.

CD players and such just don't have the luxury of selling in the millions like they used to and don't have the benefit of scale of economy anymore. That has been taken over by servers, phones, ipods and the like. So the price has to go up. Eventually some companies find it's not worth it to make them all.

Thanks to all for excellent comments about the issues addressed in this thread, especially DJohnson, Mapman,and Kacz.

To kacz, I think the last sentence of your response may be dead on target for the future of CDP's,and CD's. It depends on the niche market. Maybe,I am wrong but I don't see the buyer of audio systems up to $2000 (without T/T and accessories) wanting to bother with learning the jargon and in and outs of computer audio. They just want good sound, and possibly the bragging rights to friends.

The more sophisticated buyer who has been involved 5 to 10 years in above mid-fi audio and reaches for the inner circle of the best sound possible is the niche buyer for PC audio, even if he has a fair amount of CD's

I am not sure I know enough about current audio marketing to state with certainity what might motivate the high-end buyer to master PC audio and load up on its accessories.

Another issue that has perplexed me, is how the potential and ultimate abandonment of CDP's and CD's will impact a weakened and struggling economy; because, CDP's and CD hardware are a billion dollar a year industry that provides a fair amount of jobs even despite the cost effective automation of production.

The audio store of the past unfortunately is going by way of the buffalo, however, those that remain, that is, survive, will have a hard time paying bills just selling the music of cyber space via PC's with their own speakers, possibly even better than today's junk that sits on IKEA computer tables.

"CDP's and CD hardware are a billion dollar a year industry that provides a fair amount of jobs even despite the cost effective automation of production. "

More people probably listen to more music and other forms of entertainment than ever before, just not using CD players.

Its all part of the normal advancements and changes in technology and lifestyles over time.

"The audio store of the past unfortunately is going by way of the buffalo, however, those that remain, that is, survive, will have a hard time paying bills just selling the music of cyber space via PC's with their own speakers, possibly even better than today's junk that sits on IKEA computer tables. "

There are still several higher end a/v stores in my area that seem to be doing OK. All of these keep up with the times to different extents and figure out ways to sell people the stuff the want that fit their lifestyles, including portable gear that targets those interested in sound quality as well as other usability/convenience features.

There is a limit to sound quality, and how much people care, but not to all the other convenience and usability features that tend to drive things forward more for most. Portable audio, wireless home media, hidden and stylish home a/v installations, etc.

At one local dealer, one can own SOTA Audeze or Sennheiser headphones for about the same cost as many high end smaller entry level speakers sold there. That part of teh shop seems to grow and get bigger each time I visit.

Its all just progress, I suppose.

There are also HiFi shops in my area (the affluent Philadelphia suburbs) where they are doing very well due to the niche market. Business obviously has decreased since the booming 80s and 90s, but there is a market for the expensive CDPs and DACs.

The HiFi niche is going strong here; but you won't find any middle of the road, affordable CD/DVD players in these stores. This tells me that the online sellers can charge more for a typical CDP due to demand since the manufacturers are phasing them out.