Are "Redbook Only " CD players Obsolete?

Rotel RCD 1072 is a perfect example of why that is not the case. A standard redbook only cd player. I have yet to hear a player that can touch it's performance for the same amount of money. Universal or otherwise. Does that mean there isn't one? No. That means I have yet to come across one. In the budget area (you can have the rotel for 600 bucks brand new) there is no way you can get that kind of performance when you also have to pay for other format playability.

Check your cd collection. How many redbook discs do you have compared to all your other formats COMBINED. My guess is your redbook collection out weighs the rest by a large margin. My point? For 600 bucks you get an awesome player that can play the MAJORITY of your collection, whether you continue to add other formats to your collection or not..

Since most stores that sell recordings have Redbook CDs as about 80 - 90% of their stock, I would have to say that Redbook CD players could hardly be considered obsolete. As for your statement regarding the Marantz universal player, you are of course welcome to your opinion, but I'm sure that you will find many that disagree with you. I certainly do.

They are a dieing breed. IMO Accuphase DP67 is best red book player on the market.

Dennish,
I'd like to see a list of the redbook only CD players that you have used in your comparison to the Marantz DV 9500. Considering your statement "at any price", I expect the list to be extemely long.

I've got a Levinson 37/360 combo which sounds outstanding.
To prove a format is listenable, it takes only ONE excellent disc. There are many, including XRCD's, Sheffields, Three Blind Mice, etc. The variability in
redbook is more the mastering of the recording than the
format itself. I have no interest in moving to SACD or
DVD-A.