Since most stores that sell recordings have Redbook CDs as about 80 - 90% of their stock, I would have to say that Redbook CD players could hardly be considered obsolete. As for your statement regarding the Marantz universal player, you are of course welcome to your opinion, but I'm sure that you will find many that disagree with you. I certainly do.
Are "Redbook Only " CD players Obsolete?
With the advent of Universal Players ;ones that play DVD..CD..SACD..and DVD-A; Are standard "cd only" players OBSOLETE.......The "NEW BREED", like the MARANTZ DV 9500 can play ALL these formats and do it Better than most of the cd only and dvd-cd players at ANY PRICE...and all for under $2000.....why would anyone want to limit themselves......SACD and DVD-A are awsome for us audiophiles..and how much better can the "video" get?...Combine this State of The Art technology with the Fact that the Redbook CD playback is totally natural sounding..very analog like....and better than CD only players I've heard costing much more.... IS This is a NO-BRAINER........