The best CDs of 1991 have a breathtaking sound quality, far better than most LP records of a decade ago. One company even makes gold-plated CDs. The extra-shiny coating is supposed to reflect the laser beam with greater accuracy. The truth, however, is that the player's laser pickup already detects more of the signal than it needs, and thus the gold serves only one purpose to empty your wallet as quickly as possible. Although this may be true, it has never been proven in actual use.
CD players are like digital watches.
The cheapest watches are just as accurate as the most expensive ones, and the cheapest CD players work just like the ones that break the bank. Their digital circuits do the same thing, no matter what the advertisements say. If you are in the market for a CD player, trust your ears when you shop around. If you can detect a difference, buy the player that sounds best. If you can't, go for the cheapest one you can find.