why a 75 dollar blue ray smokes all 2k CD players and any turntable???

     Oleschool, thanks for your post . You have a nice system BTW  . I think talking/ believing in absolutes is a mistake , as you pointed out by posting the other gentleman’s opinion .  I found out first hand how poor my “ Old Memories “ are by picking up a pair of JBL 4312’s  to relive my youth . After trying 5 different amps and being less than satisfied, they reside in the closet . And sitting on top of them is an OPPO 105D in pristine condition , that to me doesn’t sound that great . I have a Musical Fidelity transport , a modded Thorens TT, and a Schiit Yiggy DAC . Sometimes digital sounds better, sometimes vinyl . My friend was an Acoustic Zen dealer and has a load of their cables as well as a upgraded pair of Adagio’s . The Adagio’s are “ In the closet “, as he prefers his Dali’s . We all like what we like , even when they’re both nice . As far as “ Skinny Wire “, I run Morrow , having previously used Anti-Cables . I’m definitely cost driven , as I have a wife and other hobbies . One of your points that I appreciate is your history of trying numerous components and still totally open to experimenting. The members that are in this thread have some very good advise without being absolute or snobbish. I’m currently running a SEP amp and am pining for a Benchmark Amp , so go figure . 🤪 Happy listening and best wishes, Mike B. And yes I have a Buell . 

To say the least, I am quit skeptical of the ridicules prices now being tagged on some of audio's supposed hi end components and products, but, without doubt, I know that all components, cables and other audio products (regardless of price) do not sound the same as their counter parts. 
I have three CD players that each have their own sound and level of performance. The one that, hands down, sounds/sounded the best and does/did better with large, complex musical and vocal passages, is the one I've had the most trouble with and has recently stopped reading discs. The old stand-by Dennon (while not quit on sonic par with the others) does sound good and is the one that just keeps going, has never given me a problem and has no trouble reading, even my less than perfect discs.
I have also had the same experience with amps, pre amps, cables, etc. and not always did I get the best performance out of the one that cost the most. The idea that someone with a $10K set of speakers would need a $25,000 amp $10K or 20K in cables and a $10K power conditioner, to make them sound good, seems like a bit of a lark to me, but to each their own.
We all have different likes, needs and expectations of what, in our particular environment, satisfies our musical enjoyment.
For me, it is (with a little trial and error, patience and at a reasonable cost) what works best with my Maggies, to make the music I like sound good.....Jim
 
 

"We all have different likes, needs and expectations of what, in our particular environment, satisfies our musical enjoyment."      Exactly!      And; it’s the dedication to the pursuit of that, "musical enjoyment", that translates into what one is willing to spend.      Speaking for myself; I don’t spend my money on (what some consider) ancillaries to make my main components, "sound good".       I do whatever I do, to bring out their best.          It's been my experience; from the stylus (or little, jitterless digits), to the eardrum- everything matters!

aeschwartz 
As I stated, I posted a pic of my Vpi playing an album on a bands fan site (70s progressive rock) My point of the pic was showing an lp spinning vintage progressive rock.His response was sarcastic stating "wow it sounds sooo much better then a cd" .I responded basically saying I also have a solid digital front end but prefer analogue sound .His response was his version of a lesson for me telling me I was wasting money on my system and his 500.00 mission speakers and blue ray was equal or better. I responded saying digital has benefits in many cases including on paper ,but I still prefer a solid analogue frontend although it can get expensive.I do not in any way believe a 75.00 blue ray smokes a solid dac cd front end ,and still prefer my analogue for the sound I prefer. 

He's correct in his assessment that the biggest challenge anymore is the speaker not the DAC or amplifier etc.. which have exponentially less distortion than speakers. Most DACs and amps if they measure reasonably well are indistinguishable in blind tests.



^^^^^^^^^^^
I think you are correct placing speakers as <<THE critical component>> in any system.. 
Followed by amp
then cd player
then cables/speaker wires.
I am glad to see speakers finally take center stage as <<most significant influence>> in a  high fidelity system. 
ITS ABOUT TIME
This hypothesis can be  easily proven to be true.