Why CD players so expensive when the fomat is dead

I agree the format is dying, but I wouldn't quite call it dead. The reason CDs remain relevant is that the amount of data on a CD still far exceeds that of a typical download.

As technology improves and all the detail of a CD or SACD becomes common to downloadable files, the CD medium will become obsolete and, with it, our big-rig CD players.

This does not mean that the rest of the system becomes obsolete - good wires, amps, speakers, set-up, placement, and all that stuff will still matter just as much. The box where the CD player now sits will merely look a little different. And, it will require regular backup.

For now, though, I would not call the CD format obsolete.

cd is not dead

"reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated"

Linn has produced their last CD player in 2009. They had many SOTA players over the years so for them to be exiting the market says something.

They had one SOTA player last decade; they are just admitting the obvious.