I will say...with the number of high-end transports...many of which go to great lengths to create SOTA redbook (but accept hi-res via inputs)...it does make you wonder about the future and 16/44 CDs. There is Gryphon Mikado Signature, Zanden's current reference, DCS Scarlatti, Gryphon Scorpio, this new Burmester, Wadia Series 9, Stahl-Tek, MSB CD-drive, Neodio, and the list goes on. All of these makes are including very, very extreme transports.
And the other trend is the increasing number of remastered CDs...look at Analogue Productions, K2, FIM, the popularity and price of older MFSL Gold CDs, Verve Remasters, RVG, XRCD, etc. Interesting to say the least...