Why CD players so expensive when the fomat is dead

OK - get on down to your WalMart job now.

If it were dead we wouldn't be here talking about it.

I just ordered a rare re-master of a Monolake's 1999 Interstate, on CD, from the UK. The format is not dead. Most people I know who enjoy music have tons of CDs, I only know 2 folks who are deeply into vinyl.
I do think high-end CD changers are dead. There are still plenty of cheapo changers and single-disc players on the market for the masses. Yamaha, Sony, and others are still selling them.
I will say the audio-only section of Best Buy has shrunken to about 3 shelves.

Realremo- your post proves it. Dead as a doornail!

You site ordering a rare cd, and then go on to essentially say that convenience (changers) is dead!

Audiophiles can support a format alone. If they could sacd and dvda would be thriving.

Robr45 - touche. Maybe sales of music on CD is not dead, just CD playback is. I am still on the fence regarding purchase of a used Rotel RCC 1055 in good condition, vs. spending a little more for the AE/DAC combo. I don't like being tied down to a laptop for playback, so the answer for me is probably to buy both! I still listen to my 15 year old Yami changer 3-4 times a week as I work at home in the evenings. I get nice, long, 1-2 hour listening sessions.