Worst CD player

'Marantz SA-8001, Sounded like crap in my system.'

The SA-8001 is a player praised by all established reviewers that I have read. Including Stereophile.
Maybe the rest of your system was responsible for the 'crappy' sound. I have owned it for many years and it is reliable and sounds great. Looks great also. I like the full size.

'I am not sure what price has to do with sound quality.'

It's an Audiophile thing. Most other people don't get it either.