Quote Originally Posted by gypsyhick
Why does a $2000 player sound better than a $200 player? I do not doubt that the expensive one sounds better, but I want to know why. I find it hard to believe that one CD player will read 1's and 0's better than the other. A 1 is a 1 and a 0 is a 0.
Reading the zeroes and ones is hardly a problem. Any cheap CD drive unit can do this rather well. The better units have better reliabillity that's all.

Quote Originally Posted by gypsyhick
How can the cheaper player screw that up? So I am guessing that the following determine the performance: the Digital to Analog converter, connectors, and the way it amps the signal to line level.
It appears you know why so why are you asking? It may seem weird nowadays but good engineering tends to cost good money. It's funny how you ask this question about a CD player but it would not cross your mind to ask the same about an Audi A6 vs a Toyota Corolla. It's the same thing you know?

Quote Originally Posted by gypsyhick
But there must be something else involved to jump a players price to $2000. Can any of you audiphilles out there elucidate this topic.Thanks.
There isn't. That's if you discount some of the high end manufacturers greed.

None of the resident "audiophiles" will ever convince you otherwise, and after this thread's count will reach 250 messages (some of which will be pure junk, some actually trying to explain it nicely with facts and topped by the charge of the ABX brigade) everyone who participates will be left with a bitter taste and will be back to square one.

If you're serious enough, nothing is more valuable than a little personal experimentation but If you search for validation this is not the right way of doing it and this ain't the place you'll get it.

Quote Originally Posted by gypsyhick
One final note: why spend $2000 on a CD player if there is a cheaper SACD player.

GH
How many CDs do you own? Would you scramble to purchase them all again in SACD format? I'm merely asking because decent SACD players that also provide good CD replay are a quite a bit more expensive than $200 (at least to the best of my knowledge).

Peace! (if possible)