What makes a $20,000 cd player cost 20,000?

I'm waiting for someone to write "The Multi-Millionaire Next Door," because I know quite a few of them, and they all have VERY expensive watches, cars, HT, and audio systems. They put making money first, but they do spend crazy amounts of money on toys. Crazy money to us, not to them.

Douglas and Boa2, Interesting comments..not without some foundation I think.

IMHO, only a fool hordes his money and only a boor makes a display of it. Once you have provided for a secure future for yourself and your family, spend the damm stuff on what ever gives you pleasure!

Envy or second guessing what those with means do with their money is like stereotypical Chinese food. You can eat a lot of it, but you'll be hungry again a few hours later. :-)

Who cares whether someone, other than the owner, can appreciate a 20K component! Its really unimportant to anyone else and, personally, I'm glad they find some satisfaction. It would be really sad if they didn't. I can find no good reason that I would want, or any one else should want, to make this owner sad. Life is too short.

Dear Jeff Jones: +++++ " What makes a $20,000 cd player cost 20,000? " +++++

Well, all of us have an answer, I like ( especially ) the ones from: Ledward, SonicBeauty,Boa2 and Jsala.

In the last two years I think that the music/sound digital reproduction ( redbook ) grow-up more than ever before and with this digital technology grow-up the prices goes truly high for a CDP.

Before the late two years I really don't like the digital music/sound reproduction, was really poor, but today is really great. I already heard some of the big names: Wadia, dSc, Meridian, Linn, EMM Labs, etc...

The best CDP ( top digital high end ) are in the 15K to infinite price range. I don't have that kind of money for a CDP, but I always want the best in any audio area for the music/sound reproduction. So, my alternative was to build a CDP and that's was what José and I do it.

In the process of research/design/test/etc, I learn a lot about many things including retail price and I can tell you: our CDP it is at least at dSc performance level and hands down the DSc or EMM labs in many areas for a fraction of the price of these great CDP. So, for José and I nothing justified 20K for a CDP: but José and I have other business to survive and many of the manufacturer owners of CDP is their " way of life " and they need that kind of money to do it. It's fair for we " customers " ?, well not always but that's how it works.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

All in my opinion of course .....

"What makes a $20,000 cd player COST 20,000 TO PRODUCE ? "
A brute-force-and-ignorance design approach coupled with very low production volumes.

"What makes a $20,000 cd player COST 20,000 TO BUY?"
Someone willing to spend the money.

Sanity checked.
Thanks folks, a couple or three options to check out and some interesting philosophical input to boot. Can't beat that at K-mart!