with the cd having three layers of error correction, getting a player which accurately reads the data and transcribes it with a minimum of error and coloration from the digital and analogue circuits seems to me to be an audio goal. the cheap players compromise this. saying that the "listener" does not need this accuracy is comparable to not washing the record before playing or not aligning tape heads because "it really doesn't matter." Dale [log in to unmask] www.longrunaudio.com