How do you pack a high end CD Player for shipping?

The heavy brass spindle puck MUST be removed from inside the tray. Make sure it cannot be lost. Without it the Sony will not work.
SCD-1 is really heavy! I would say standard solid foam all around at least four inches thick Then outside that, a thin plywood to just fit each side. which all fits into a box. Using strong reinforced tape or actual banding straps two rows around each way (3)
Alternately two inch thick heavy solid foam all around then a strong cardboard inner box. then two inches more foam then an outer box. same straps. Finding the right boxes first, then cut the foam! 3" 5" whatever to tightly fit the box.
Knowing the box will be dropped several feet. The only way to stop that is either place it stuck to a pallet and truck it, or deliver it yourself.
I have shipped a heavy amp this way. Bought the foam at a foam outlet manufacturer. As a sheet bought to order, or cast offs.. They cut foam up and throw away big pieces. They can sell the scrap too, cheap. Cut it with a bread knife.The foam has to be stiff enough to support the player when dropped three feet. but soft enough it springs back so the third time they drop it three fee it is still good to save the device. I promise someone will drop it three feet. several times.You cannot use like cardboard to replace the foam, since the cardboard will crush, and not spring back, so the second drop might be able to damage the now loose in box weight. Also the outside may break open if the now failing inner cardboard is not holding it tightly inside.

Packing a high end Sony CDP, hmm
sounds like what I did back in December, but mine was
a 72lb power amplifier from Northern KY to Holland, MI
for a tune up and new Caps.
I personally found that Fed Ex did a fantastic job of packing
and shipping the unit.
I also own a top of line classic Sony CDP707esd player.

I agree completely with elizabeth's guidance, though my preference for the foam used is high-density resilient foam, or even heavy-duty bubble wrap packed in as tightly as possible. The 'styrofoam' type of rigid foam does indeed protect very well from an impact or drop but it does that by giving itself up, being crushed from absorbing the hit. That's fine if there's only one drop but it becomes less effective if there's a second event. I know I'm being paranoid but, I'm paranoid. I have no idea if my packing made the difference but I've shipped tube amps to Bangkok, Germany and Norway without any problems.

Agree definitely resilient foam and not styrofoam.

Anybody know if there's a transport locking screw on this model? If so, it's critical to tighten it down before packing? Cheers,
Spencer

Nothing on my SCD777ES, which is basically the same design as the SCD-1.     
As I wrote however ,the main item to be very careful of is the brass weight which sits on the spindle. It MUST be removed and kept safe. IT is required to play. And might be forgotten about if the drawer is closed and the player not used for a time before being shipped.

A few months ago, I spoke with Warren Gregoire who did my mods on my SCD-1 15 years ago. I was thinking of sending the SCD-1, with the original packaging, back to him for a look over since I had the unit in storage for close to 10 years. I told him that the foam inserts were flaking due to age. He told me that I should never use those foam insert again because the shock abortion capability is gone when they are flaking like they were. Just a FYI if you were not already aware.

On a side note, after my 10 year SCD-1 hiatus, I listen to 1 SACD each day with the SCD-1 and I remember why I loved this player.