What makes a Cd player a Great cd player

Someone recently made an excellent analogy in another thread that I believe applies here. Discussion about this kind of thing only goes so far, and ultimately, it's unconvincing to many.

The person in the other thread wrote:

05-31-10: Wireless200
Why don't more people know the difference between freshly picked peaches, blueberries, rasberries, strawberries and grocery store bought. They just don't know any better.

The point here being, until you've heard a great CD player versus a good CD player, you really won't know the possibilities.

I like 'taters, uhhhh!

Tvad makes a valid point but there are certainly many here that have climbed the audio ladder from low end to high end and can speak to the differences in their perceptions regard a great CD player.

For example, I found Wadia too clinical (detailed) and not musical though it certainly seemed to reproduce notes accurately, while the Meridian 508.24 I use seems smooth, open and warm. It is not as resolving but it is what my ears prefer.

Ultimately though, your ear is the judge of what you like regardless of what was recorded. You must go listen to music on various CD players not just read words about how they sound. One man's floor.....

Both of you have very good points of view. Which is why I feel( key word I) no need to dish out anything over $1k on a cd player. I think a great cdp, will only make a poorly recorded cd sound worst, and a good cdp makes it tolorable. and vice versa with a audiophile recorded cd. Back when I owned my Marantz cdp, I thought it had a more warmer sound than my current cd player,which I found to be very detailed, and open, but lacked the more laid back sound of the Marantz. However when I switched speakers, and went to my Apogees, the smoothness that was lacking appeared. I think any extra money spent should go towards speakers and quality mastered cds. my two cents

Ddan6815, thanks for revealing your bias early in the thread. While you initially appeared to be asking an open ended question, your last post reveals that you aren't as open to possibilities as your original posts suggests.

Your latest post also indicates that you didn't accept the point I made....that of not knowing what you don't know until you've heard a truly great CD player. To me, the history you mention with a Marantz CD player and one additional un-named CD player do not seem thorough enough to have experienced the possibilities. Or, maybe my viewpoint is unfair because you've listened to a dozen top CD players and didn't mention doing so.

If the overall point you are trying to make is that the differences among CD players can be subtle, then I agree. However, each person's definition of the word subtle varies considerably in this pasttime. One man's subtle difference can be another man's "jaw dropping", Ah-ha! moment.