Who listens primarily to Redbook CD?

CD cost is a problem?

Yes. Even in bulk (500?) quality CDs are .25 each. In my case I have 3500, literally. Why continue down that path instead of playing the file directly (i.e. without having to burn to CD)? Couple that with the fact that CDs deteriorate and one should at least ponder the question, why throw money away?

Until about a 18 months ago, CD was my preferred format. It no longer is for numerous reasons including cost (why burn to cd or buy a cd when the digital file can be played directly), longevity of the data storage on that media (data fails in far less than the purported "100 years" when the format was originally introduced) and bit/sample limitation (why listen to 16/44 when 24/192 is available).

The aforementioned said, I still love my Emotiva ERC-3. For a relatively inexpensive piece of audio gear, it certainly can provide a lot of enjoyment when playing back a redbook cd. While I would think this is a delta sigma dac and not r2r (given the posts herein about cost and availability of r2r, but I honestly don't know), it truly does produce outstanding sound and is probably among the most underrated players on the market.

@rhyno

thats one of the top reasons: collection on display

Interesting, because this is one of the top reasons I DO NOT continue to collect (acquire new via purchase or burn to via digital file and computer software) Redbook CD’s

I have 3500 Grateful Dead CD’s. That is basically 3.5 terabytes of data. I have 6 Terabytes of Grateful Dead on a Western Digital My Book Duo external hard drive.

The CD’s take approximately 16 cubic feet of space. The my book duo takes approximately 1/4 cubic feet of space.

And I'll add to my previous post herein that the 16 cubic feet of space taken by my 3500 CDs includes the fact they are stored efficiently in the 100 CD spindle they came in. If stored in individual jewel cases, forget about it....  

Free tip to anyone with a lot of CDs. Always store them vertically, not horizontally. The sound will be much better. Please don't ask why.

Doubtful anyone would ask why, because your statement is not true.