That only applies if you have a closed mind and are not prepaired to look at items that come from more exotic sources. Though your right in your coments about normal domestic uk hifi. 

As to Cd players ........you have just not heard the right ones [IMO as everyones tastes will be different]. To name a few Wadia, shanling, Nos dac, Quad 99cdp, ........these are world beaters at there price point.

If you follow and believe the current crop of UK magazines its not suprising that you come to the conclusions you have. You perhaps need to read everything with a big pinch of salt. That approach has always paided dividens for me.