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Is computer audio pushing up the price of CDPs?

Having heard several times, computer audio accessed via an I-PAD, I-POD and I-phones, I have to say I was impressed by the purity and ease of the sound. However, I did NOT go out and junk MY CD player and other related components

However, I am curious if the so-called purity of computer audio has set the bar higher in terms of sound quality for CDs and especially players. As evidence of this, the average price of a used player on AG seems to have increased dramatically. Many used players seem to begin at about $1500 to a range of $2000, and begin a new level that starts at $2500 and vigorously moves forward to upper $3000; then, jumps again from $4500 up several at $7000 to $9000, and a few $10,000 to $11,000 plus. These are not necessarily two piece units of separate DAC and Transport, but integrated CDP which specify the high quality of the inboard DAC, and flexibility of the player digital inputs.

I have to conclude, that consumers over the last 2-3 years, reluctant to jump into computer audio, just went out and spent 2 or 3 times more than what they would normally have spent for a CDP, assuming, AND also validating in store the sound quality of these upper tier CDPs. Were they hoping that their way over budget investment outdistanced any server file of digital music??

Would like to hear both pros and cons on the issue or issues I have provided. Thanks
sunnyjim

Showing 2 responses by sunnyjim

sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 
Thanks to all for excellent comments about the issues addressed in this thread, especially DJohnson, Mapman,and Kacz.

To kacz, I think the last sentence of your response may be dead on target for the future of CDP's,and CD's. It depends on the niche market. Maybe,I am wrong but I don't see the buyer of audio systems up to $2000 (without T/T and accessories) wanting to bother with learning the jargon and in and outs of computer audio. They just want good sound, and possibly the bragging rights to friends.

The more sophisticated buyer who has been involved 5 to 10 years in above mid-fi audio and reaches for the inner circle of the best sound possible is the niche buyer for PC audio, even if he has a fair amount of CD's

I am not sure I know enough about current audio marketing to state with certainity what might motivate the high-end buyer to master PC audio and load up on its accessories.

Another issue that has perplexed me, is how the potential and ultimate abandonment of CDP's and CD's will impact a weakened and struggling economy; because, CDP's and CD hardware are a billion dollar a year industry that provides a fair amount of jobs even despite the cost effective automation of production.

The audio store of the past unfortunately is going by way of the buffalo, however, those that remain, that is, survive, will have a hard time paying bills just selling the music of cyber space via PC's with their own speakers, possibly even better than today's junk that sits on IKEA computer tables.
sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 
To Lowrider, Interesting, I used to work in a quality audio store in Bryn Mawr. They sold out to Tweeter who subsequently went out of business. The Philly "Mainline" is recession/depression proof and the wealth per capita can easily afford the super expensive CDP's. I am surprised that no high-end dealer like David Lewis Audio or the now defunct Chestnut Hill Audio ever planted a store in Gladwyne or Malvern.
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