I have an Marantz CD17 MkII KI Signiture - which is a reasonably high-end CD player, and reviewed well in most magazines.

In the classified, I saw a Theta Pearl transport and Theta Cobolt DAC - which I'm told is a better sound than my Marantz. The Marantz, however, costs nearly FOUR times the price of the Theta setup!

I also saw a Meridan 203 DAC and old Meridan transport - which I'm told would rival the Marantz. The Marantz is SIX time more expensive!

Question is : Would I be able to look in the classads, make up an entire high-end system from 10 years ago, for the price of just a high-end CD player today? Why would people want to go for the new stuff - other than the looks?