non redbook CD's

Do I sense a definitional impasse? A CD player, by
definition, plays CDs. CDs are, by definition, recorded in
the “redbook” standard/format -- whether they be copies,
burned copies or anything else. If you want something that
plays something other than (or in addition to) CDs -- such
as HDCD, SACD, DVD, Blue Ray, etc -- you're looking for
something other than a CD player...no? If you're looking
for a multi-format player that also offers CD playback
comparable to the best purpose-built CD players, then that
is in fact something entirely different from a CD player.
Oh, and good luck...;)

What I mean by that is: not sure that such a beast exists --
or ever will. The duration of the “format wars” that we'd
all been waiting out in the hope that such a machine would
get made has left the entire debate a bit moot. For a large
part, the market has shifted to non-shiny-disk-based
equipment. Which is to say that the R&D focus of folks
seems to be directed to multi-format / HD-capable DACs fed
in large part by computers. In short,
don't really see any shop with the gumption to make a world-
beating multi-format player bothering -- the number of folks
buying shiny, spinny disks (of any format) these days has
dropped so dramatically that building such a machine just
'aint worth the time. Or, that’s my theory, at any rate
(someone's bound to do or have done it....but the market is
very definitely headed in a different direction).

Alternatively, I suppose, you could get a well-respected
multi-format player (the Oppo comes to mind) and then either
run it off of its internal DAC or wire it as a transport
into one of the afor-mentioned HD-capable DACs. Certainly
an option but, again, not a CD player.... Or, have I missed
the point?

**Dealer disclaimer**

Arcam DV139. Stunning IMO. I use one at home, and it's my current favorite.

It sounds like you're speaking about peoples' interest in how a multi-format player performs with redbook CD. Unfortunately, many fine SACD or video players fall down significantly in this area as compared to a good Redbook-only player.

Elizabeth, CD-RW is the problem . I should feel lucky that I have this problem with a $300 NAD instead of a Wadia, a naim or an Ayon ?

Mezmo. Seems I am guilty of the definition problem. I mean to say that the ability of a player to perform well with commercially manufactured CD's should not impress anyone. I want reviewers to say , "It sucks with my CD burns ", or "It played half my CD-RWs half the time.", or "It played most of my CD-RWs without hesitation" .