Another CD-Player vs. PC question:

Most of CDP play in real time. They have ability to error correct small amount of unreadable sectors or interpolate larger gaps but at one point they will start skipping. Computer CDP is under control of computer program used for playback. This program can spin CD much faster and place data into buffer. Basically it can read CD as data, recreating timing later. It can access each sector multiple times until proper checksum is obtained.

Czarivey, good observation. Early CD were often recorded from not properly corrected tapes and digitized with jittery A/D clocks. This type of recorded jitter cannot be suppressed and the only way out is to digitize again, assuming that analog tapes still exist. They also went insane with number of microphones, since digital recording allowed for many more tracks. Microphone technics changed over time and everything matured but it took, as you noticed, many years. Today I have some recordings that are simply breathtaking showing no inherent flaw in the media.

Perhaps vinyl can be superior sounding, but I find it impractical. Investing and optimizing one system instead of two seems better to me since there is a lot of music not available on LP.

In_shore, Many Jazz albums, World music, Indian Classical music to name
the few genders. Anytime I find interesting record it is only audio CD.
Perhaps the most common popular titles are available on LP. It is also
possible that existing database of vinyl is much bigger (older media) but
not so much for the new tiles.

As for the sound quality of the media I have some CD recordings that are
simply breathtaking showing ability of the media and suggesting that
investment in old technology doesn't make any sense - at least to me.

In addition I hate any pops and clicks (or noise) that eventually happens
no matter how careful you are (I had TT for many years). Pops and clicks
bring me back from being "there" back to my living room.