My first was a Magnavox CDP, no remote, "3-beam" pickup, bought new in 1987 from PC Richards. It is still in service(!) in my den. That was followed by a cast-away from my brother, a basic Teac unit, with remote. Actually, it was solidly built and listenable, but vieled. It is now in use in my computer-room system. Currently, I use a Rotel RCD-02, purchased new in 2002. Significantly better than the Teac, but probably my current weakest link. Upgrade planned for later this year.
Personal CD player evolution
To take a cue from the previous threads 'amp' & 'speaker' personal evolution, I bid you this question...
for me it was a Hitachi small black box circa 1983, bought from a Luskin's discount electronics store (I think I paid around $250), then...
-Yamaha COX-700U (1985 or so, still in use by my father)
-Carver ? model to match a Carver amp I had at the time
-Rega original Planet
-Cary 303/100
-Cary 306/200
for me it was a Hitachi small black box circa 1983, bought from a Luskin's discount electronics store (I think I paid around $250), then...
-Yamaha COX-700U (1985 or so, still in use by my father)
-Carver ? model to match a Carver amp I had at the time
-Rega original Planet
-Cary 303/100
-Cary 306/200