Looking for a CDP from a company that'll be around

It's not just about long term viability of the company. It's also about who has a track record of orphaning older product. In that light most companies have issues. For example:

Wadia - try getting service on older gear, particularly transports.
Sony - transport parts for the SCD-1/ SCD-777 are becoming scarce
Krell - transport problems turned at least one of their SACD players (can't recall the model) into a boat anchor.
Esoteric - parts for older transport mechanisms (P2 and P2S in particular) no longer available.
Mobile Fidelity - see earlier posts

Economics will pressure even the larger companies to drop support for older gear as quickly as possible. As audiophiles are a niche market I believe we'll suffer most.

There is some good news. I have an older Pioneer PD-S95 transport that is still serviceable. Pioneer seems to support its older models. Any others?

On a whole electronics are supported much longer than mechanical items such as transport mechanisms. One could make an argument that the PC/MAC based music server with a good DAC might be the best bet over the long haul. It's easy to upgrade computers over time, and CDROM drives are easily replaced.

Interesting topic.

One of the good things about the older MF lines [I have some] is that they are in substantial cases and can be upgraded. If I liked it I would consider having that done and then you could send it back to the modifier for service if necessary. I don't know about the laser but I am currently using 3 transports from the early 90s and have never had problems. I am going to have my TriVista modified someday and possibly my M3 also.

Remeber most transports in cd players are PHILIPS or SONY to begin with. It is the laser on older models that are getting hard to find.

The economic downturn has greatly effected the high end audio market. For instance there are things going on with most of the companies mentioned in this thread. I am not
saying they are going out of business, but the "holdings"
companies will merge and reduce brands.

Look at at how many dealer ads you now see right here on Audiogon.......WITH GREAT PRICING! You did not see that here even a year ago.

How many new $5000 + cd players do you think are being sold right now? That is why you are seeing the great deals right here. I am sure eveyone can talk about a local dealer
who is doing well, but for the most part if you can afford
it.......NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY. SUPPLY UP........
DEMAND DOWN......SQEEZE EM!!!!!!!

I think expecting to have a CDP for many, many years without operational problems is unrealistic. Yes, I know there are folks here who will now post about players they own that they've had since "Happy Days" was on the air, but overall, CD players are prone to failure...primarily the laser assemblies.

So, I've begun to look at CD players as disposable items, like most cars.

If you take a look at some of the players that can be purchased today used, there are some real bargains. Some of the modded players available for under $1000 (and some below $500) will surprise you with their performance.

Perhaps, buying a used player and enjoying it until it croaks isn't such a bad thing.

I think that the idea of treating CDP's as disposable devices with a rather limited life span is of merit. Before I settled on my Musical Fidelity, I did what some of us do: purchased 3 units to compare, with my CD-308 being the least expensive (@ $1250). The other 2 were in the $2-2.5k range used. All three were different-sounding...nothing drastic or absolutely horrendous, merely different. As tempted as I was to step up price-wise and get the most expensive one, I came to a stark realization that it just didn't make good sense...because in 3 or so years I'd have to move on to something else regardless, either out of boredom or because of mechanical issues. That said, each one of us determines his/her own definition of what disposable price range would be.