because it has better power supplies, less jitter prone clock, better performing dac, better performing digital filter, better analogue output stages, better transport, better quality components with tighter tolerances, balanced in/outputs, less resonant case, more attention paid to isolation, probably more too but isn;t that enough?

to be honest if you're happy with a 50quid cd player then good luck to you but i would compare your statement to using my squeezebox with and without my external dac. i could tell the difference between the two (in a sighted test) quite easily. of couse to the measurement crowd this 'proves' nothing but there you go.

cheers

julian