In 1992 I bought a Marantz CD player (cost about RM1300), but I don't feel any special (sound quality) compared to other brand like Technics, Pioneer.

I opened it's casing to have a look of the inside, I saw it's output stage is just a NE5532 (audio operational amplifier IC).

The NE5532 cost about RM4 in 1992, today RM2 only in shopee.

Can you imagine, the sound you listened, come from electric signal that has been amplified by that NE5532, and this NE5532 cost only RM4.