I've had my Sony ES cd player for 6 years or better, no problems at all. My older Sony player is in my sons room and still working good. I've had good luck with Sony players.
The ES series is awhole different build quality, much more like other good consumer electronics not the cheap knock off stuff. Even the ES series receivers are pretty well rated.
I know of many people that have had decent luck with Sony but I also know many that have had issues of one type or another. The 2 I have tried couldn't read a marginally scratched disc that I was able to play on the 2 other players I own.
