I'm with you nearly all of my listening is to cd's and I love my dedicated player! If I ever move on it will almost surely be to another cd player, barring some radical acceleration in technology. I'm a very late adopter.
My comment on CD players vs. Universal DVD players
I have done a lot of soul searching, review reading, and looking at new/used gear to determine what to do on the issue of stand alond CDP vs. Universal player.
I bought the Oppo DV970HD universal(DVD) player 3/4 of a year ago as an interm player, after I sold my Cary CD308 and basic Panisonic DVD player.
I considered a DAC for the Oppo to improve cd playback. I considered a high-end universal for good movie and music, but decided on neither as follows:
I bought a very good CDP and I'm keeping the Oppo for movies. With BlueRay/HD around the next corner, I figured these hi-rez formats are taking over for movies. A good universal player to listen to cd's didn't make much sence to me (unless you have a lot of SACDs and DVDs) just to have cd playback. I don't own any DVDs or SACDs, as I'm just a renter of movies, but I do own quite a few cd's.
Therfore a good CDP is the best investment for music for me.
I will someday get a 1080P plasma and Blue Ray for movies. Any player that upconverts above DVD's native resolution is just smole and mirrors anyway (maybe good smoke and mirrors though).
I feel at peace with my decision to stay with a good CD player, and I'm loving it. It loads fast and doesn't act like a DVD player.
These are just my thoughts, and it works for me. YMMV
I bought the Oppo DV970HD universal(DVD) player 3/4 of a year ago as an interm player, after I sold my Cary CD308 and basic Panisonic DVD player.
I considered a DAC for the Oppo to improve cd playback. I considered a high-end universal for good movie and music, but decided on neither as follows:
I bought a very good CDP and I'm keeping the Oppo for movies. With BlueRay/HD around the next corner, I figured these hi-rez formats are taking over for movies. A good universal player to listen to cd's didn't make much sence to me (unless you have a lot of SACDs and DVDs) just to have cd playback. I don't own any DVDs or SACDs, as I'm just a renter of movies, but I do own quite a few cd's.
Therfore a good CDP is the best investment for music for me.
I will someday get a 1080P plasma and Blue Ray for movies. Any player that upconverts above DVD's native resolution is just smole and mirrors anyway (maybe good smoke and mirrors though).
I feel at peace with my decision to stay with a good CD player, and I'm loving it. It loads fast and doesn't act like a DVD player.
These are just my thoughts, and it works for me. YMMV