Is it worth spending $10k on CD-only player today?

Yes. I would if I had the scratch, a larger income, or if I was more established in life. SACD isn't going anywhere unless you listen to classical music. I do, so I would likely consider the Meitner stack. I would not consider something with compromised redbook playback. I'd rather have a dedicated rebook player in that scenario. And I feel that is the crux of your question. Redbook is too ubiquitous. And as such would not fit morepeople's definition of 'obsolete.' Though there are many slight meanings of the word.

Although SACD and DSD is superior to redbook, redbook will likely be obsoleted by mp3 or something similar. And by something similar I mean something distributed as a computer file - either hi-rez (not likely) low-rez (more likely).

Like many others I was also in the same place. I have a large cd collection(6K) so I purchased the best cd player I could afford. I was also interested in SACD and purchased a mid price(3K) SACD player. While I love the sound of SACD( I have a little over a 100) I play my cd player most of the time. I beleive Redbook will be around for quite awhile and SACD may become a niche market if they don't pick up the pace with more releases and lower the price. So in other works YES it is worth spending 10K(if you have it) on a CD only player.

Not to me. Then again, i wouldn't pay that much for any type of source component. Sean
>

Not me either. I truly wonder whether the majority of folks posting here in a blind A/B test could tell the difference between a $3K player and a $10K player given a wide range of music and all the time and listening you'd like to have (given that both are well chosen players with good synergy within the same system). I'd include myself in that group as well, but perhaps that's cause I'd rather spend the extra $7K on something that matters more to me, like music (CD's), motorcycle travels, vacation, etc. Regardless of what price range I purchased in, I'd look for something used here on Audiogon...or, in the case that, at a moment of weakness, or momentary loss of perspective or sanity, I chose to drop $10k, I'd look for a "certified, pre-owned luxury CD player".

Marco

I would love to be in position to ask such a question. I have nearly 5K invested in my transport & DAC and it was the best money I've ever spent. An important thing to keep in mind is the fact that CD showed up in 1982, and now in 2004 it has become a hi-rez format. Only took twenty years. Don't think the same thing won't be true of SACD (if it hangs on). If I had 10K to spend I'd spend $8500 of it on a CD player and $1500 on an SACD player.