Anyone still buying CDs and Tapes?
Discussion
I went head first into iPod when it came out, and so moved all my CDs onto MP3 format then promptly put them in a box and into the garage. Moved house a few times with them, eventually my O/H making me get rid of them as we would never use them again. Which I did, getting pennies for each of them.
Fast forward a few years, and of course, I’ve moved back into vinyl with my turntable connected to my SONOS system. I’ve even got my iPod connected into it, however even that feels obsolete now in a world of Spotify, etc…..
But just as vinyl has made a comeback (and I’m slowly building my collection up again) do you think CDs/tapes will be popular again? I have bought the odd CD at some gigs I’ve been at (my car has a CD player) but I also see some artists selling new music on all formats including cassette tapes again. So do you buy them still in a download/streaming age? Are they just hoping that the old stuff will enjoy the same resurgence that vinyl has, or is it a dead medium?
(Asking before I start looking at SONOS compatible equipment and spending money needlessly!!)
Fast forward a few years, and of course, I’ve moved back into vinyl with my turntable connected to my SONOS system. I’ve even got my iPod connected into it, however even that feels obsolete now in a world of Spotify, etc…..
But just as vinyl has made a comeback (and I’m slowly building my collection up again) do you think CDs/tapes will be popular again? I have bought the odd CD at some gigs I’ve been at (my car has a CD player) but I also see some artists selling new music on all formats including cassette tapes again. So do you buy them still in a download/streaming age? Are they just hoping that the old stuff will enjoy the same resurgence that vinyl has, or is it a dead medium?
(Asking before I start looking at SONOS compatible equipment and spending money needlessly!!)
I have the remnants of a substantial vinyl collection having given away many hundreds to friends over the years... I also gave my LP12 to a colleague many years ago too - too much hassle. But I was really into it back in the day.
I have a few thousand CD's in crates in my cellar which I haven't played in years. I buy maybe two or three CD's a year, normally jazz artists who aren't on Qobuz and I need to rip the CD to my library.
My digital library is around 5,000 albums - but I only listen to a fraction of it as most of what I listen to is on Qobuz.
I am (obviously) fully wed to high res streaming.
I have a few thousand CD's in crates in my cellar which I haven't played in years. I buy maybe two or three CD's a year, normally jazz artists who aren't on Qobuz and I need to rip the CD to my library.
My digital library is around 5,000 albums - but I only listen to a fraction of it as most of what I listen to is on Qobuz.
I am (obviously) fully wed to high res streaming.
I still buy CDs, and have a collection of tapes (cassettes) from the 1980's (and they all still play well).
I also have a small record collection (leftovers from the 1980's - the majority were sold).
But my primary listening is streaming. I rip all the CDs I buy and store them on my NAS.
All physical CDs are retained, as that's a 'legal' requirement (you're not supposed to buy CDs, rip them and then sell the physical media*).
I still have a couple of CD players for when I'm feeling nostalgic and want to spin a silver disc.
I also have a small record collection (leftovers from the 1980's - the majority were sold).
But my primary listening is streaming. I rip all the CDs I buy and store them on my NAS.
All physical CDs are retained, as that's a 'legal' requirement (you're not supposed to buy CDs, rip them and then sell the physical media*).
I still have a couple of CD players for when I'm feeling nostalgic and want to spin a silver disc.
- I seem to recall that even ripping them is illegal - it was legalised and then the law changed - no idea what the legal standing is now. But that's a whole other discussion and no wish to derail this thread.
No - what I have is in the loft gathering dust
All ripped to my Mac and I stream or download now (lossless etc) & that feeds an SMSL DAC and that feeds JBL studio monitors in my office
I do have x2 CDPs left in my arsenal (Rega Apollo - 1st interation) and an Arcam CD192 (Ive a few other non working ones in the loft); but they only get used on rare occasions in the spare room system
All ripped to my Mac and I stream or download now (lossless etc) & that feeds an SMSL DAC and that feeds JBL studio monitors in my office
I do have x2 CDPs left in my arsenal (Rega Apollo - 1st interation) and an Arcam CD192 (Ive a few other non working ones in the loft); but they only get used on rare occasions in the spare room system
Edited by d_a_n1979 on Sunday 26th May 13:47
NDA said:
I have the remnants of a substantial vinyl collection having given away many hundreds to friends over the years... I also gave my LP12 to a colleague many years ago too - too much hassle. But I was really into it back in the day.
I have a few thousand CD's in crates in my cellar which I haven't played in years. I buy maybe two or three CD's a year, normally jazz artists who aren't on Qobuz and I need to rip the CD to my library.
My digital library is around 5,000 albums - but I only listen to a fraction of it as most of what I listen to is on Qobuz.
I am (obviously) fully wed to high res streaming.
Me too. I have a few thousand CD's in crates in my cellar which I haven't played in years. I buy maybe two or three CD's a year, normally jazz artists who aren't on Qobuz and I need to rip the CD to my library.
My digital library is around 5,000 albums - but I only listen to a fraction of it as most of what I listen to is on Qobuz.
I am (obviously) fully wed to high res streaming.
I still have ca 3000 LPs (mainly Blue Notes and the like and all my late 70s New Wave stuff), about the same again in CDs (largely ripped) and a Qobuz subscription.
While Qobuz costs less than a CD a month, I’m happy paying but I wouldn’t want my musical collection hostage to a commercial enterprise.
As a Meridian user since Sooloos days, I’ve learned how fickle service providers can be so tend to get a hard copy (or at least a persistent download) of any keeper.
Interesting. I wish I had ripped all my CDs to a NAS before I (literally) gave them away as it would cost a fortune to replace what I had amassed over the years. But then again, perhaps like my vinyl collection I would only buy what I really wanted in hard format. All other random stuff where I just liked the odd track, I’d stream now. I just think it “feels” a bit more special handling something rather than just pressing my phone screen, dance why I’ve loved buying records again.
But the convenience of Spotify (especially in the car) is beyond doubt. Never saw the appeal of cassette tapes after CDs came along though!
But the convenience of Spotify (especially in the car) is beyond doubt. Never saw the appeal of cassette tapes after CDs came along though!
Tapes! No, all those who lived through them will never go back to such poor quality, poor reliability and hassle in use. I still have my home recorded ones but once my car came with a CD player they never got used.
CDs , yes still buying new and second hand. Value is minimal and hopefully cost to buy too. Streaming is easy flexible and good quality. LPs have nostalgia, physical medium and in some cases perceived better sound so have come back. Playing an LP is an event and a pleasure. CDs will not go away as a collection has a value in memories, physical media and ease of use. Having a collection of data files will never be the same thing and reliability is not 100% and you can lose your whole collection. CD doesn't offer enough of a benefit over streaming so I don't see it holding out against vinyl or making a similar come back. Just my 2c
CDs , yes still buying new and second hand. Value is minimal and hopefully cost to buy too. Streaming is easy flexible and good quality. LPs have nostalgia, physical medium and in some cases perceived better sound so have come back. Playing an LP is an event and a pleasure. CDs will not go away as a collection has a value in memories, physical media and ease of use. Having a collection of data files will never be the same thing and reliability is not 100% and you can lose your whole collection. CD doesn't offer enough of a benefit over streaming so I don't see it holding out against vinyl or making a similar come back. Just my 2c
I listen to Spotify all the time now for the pure convenience and the playlists.
But there's still a CD changer in my car and I occasionally play one of the CDs in it and enjoy the superior sound quality.
But the better sound is not enough to make me dig out one of my old CD players and plug into into my amp.
I'll take a 10% hit in quality for the vast improvement in convenience.
But there's still a CD changer in my car and I occasionally play one of the CDs in it and enjoy the superior sound quality.
But the better sound is not enough to make me dig out one of my old CD players and plug into into my amp.
I'll take a 10% hit in quality for the vast improvement in convenience.
I did think Cassettes were going to make a bit of a come back off the back of Stranger Things and other retro programs, I did see some for sale in Urban Outfitters recently so maybe they still will.
I don't see CD's making a come back, I don't see they offer anything, they are a pain for using personal CD players, don't fit in the pocket easily and skip too much and are generally too fragile for most uses when streaming is an alternative
I don't see CD's making a come back, I don't see they offer anything, they are a pain for using personal CD players, don't fit in the pocket easily and skip too much and are generally too fragile for most uses when streaming is an alternative
I still buy CD’s if it’s something unusual or cheap that I really want and listen to it on the Technics CD Player I bought from Laskeys in 1989 !
I would probably still have a turntable if I had the space and might buy one again one day.
Otherwise it’s Apple Music through the pc via optical and a pair of LSX or via some other device with a pair of AirPod Max.
I would probably still have a turntable if I had the space and might buy one again one day.
Otherwise it’s Apple Music through the pc via optical and a pair of LSX or via some other device with a pair of AirPod Max.
Still buying CD, DVD and blu ray. Grew up in the 70s when parents played the Hi Fi game, in the time expensive bits of kit that people get misty eyed about today . Accumulated LPs myself from 75 to 84 when I bought a CD player as I no longer had to move every few months (a very junior Dr).
The difference was night and day, no longer did Good Vibrations jump after about 35s , no crackles, no cleaning, static guns, little fluffy rollers etc.
Fast forwards, hearing now deteriorated, but even so playing my old 70s LP back to back with the CD, the CD quality is so much better. I don't mean the esoteric stuff like warmth, tonality etc, personally think a lot is placebo, but the simple lack of background hiss and scratches. Yes, I always was fastidious over care, but, part of teenage development is sharing music, others weren't so careful.
Even with the poor hearing of a 60 year old with tinnitus I can hear the flattening of MP3s, so, they're OK for the car or books but prefer the clarity of CD. Yes, there are lossless formats, but not spending days transferring again.
As to security, I like owning a copy someone, somewhere isn't going to decide I can no longer access (admittedly more an issue with films), however my nephew had an extensive downloaded collection courtesy of Kazaa back in the day, lost with the laptop, "you did back things up, didn't you....", 'wassat....' Ooops
The difference was night and day, no longer did Good Vibrations jump after about 35s , no crackles, no cleaning, static guns, little fluffy rollers etc.
Fast forwards, hearing now deteriorated, but even so playing my old 70s LP back to back with the CD, the CD quality is so much better. I don't mean the esoteric stuff like warmth, tonality etc, personally think a lot is placebo, but the simple lack of background hiss and scratches. Yes, I always was fastidious over care, but, part of teenage development is sharing music, others weren't so careful.
Even with the poor hearing of a 60 year old with tinnitus I can hear the flattening of MP3s, so, they're OK for the car or books but prefer the clarity of CD. Yes, there are lossless formats, but not spending days transferring again.
As to security, I like owning a copy someone, somewhere isn't going to decide I can no longer access (admittedly more an issue with films), however my nephew had an extensive downloaded collection courtesy of Kazaa back in the day, lost with the laptop, "you did back things up, didn't you....", 'wassat....' Ooops
MrB. said:
I went head first into iPod when it came out, and so moved all my CDs onto MP3 format then promptly put them in a box and into the garage. Moved house a few times with them, eventually my O/H making me get rid of them as we would never use them again. Which I did, getting pennies for each of them.
Fast forward a few years, and of course, I’ve moved back into vinyl with my turntable connected to my SONOS system. I’ve even got my iPod connected into it, however even that feels obsolete now in a world of Spotify, etc…..
But just as vinyl has made a comeback (and I’m slowly building my collection up again) do you think CDs/tapes will be popular again? I have bought the odd CD at some gigs I’ve been at (my car has a CD player) but I also see some artists selling new music on all formats including cassette tapes again. So do you buy them still in a download/streaming age? Are they just hoping that the old stuff will enjoy the same resurgence that vinyl has, or is it a dead medium?
(Asking before I start looking at SONOS compatible equipment and spending money needlessly!!)
I'm a long-time vinyl user - 45+ years - and I just don't get the renewed fascination with the format other than it being a 12" square artist's canvas. Folks spending anything from £15 to £30 for mediocre pressings, to then go use them on a £40 record player just seems a bit bonkers to me. Of course, I'm just being selfish. I'd like all the hipsters to beggar off so that decent old s/h records can be picked up for a fiver and not £50 LOLFast forward a few years, and of course, I’ve moved back into vinyl with my turntable connected to my SONOS system. I’ve even got my iPod connected into it, however even that feels obsolete now in a world of Spotify, etc…..
But just as vinyl has made a comeback (and I’m slowly building my collection up again) do you think CDs/tapes will be popular again? I have bought the odd CD at some gigs I’ve been at (my car has a CD player) but I also see some artists selling new music on all formats including cassette tapes again. So do you buy them still in a download/streaming age? Are they just hoping that the old stuff will enjoy the same resurgence that vinyl has, or is it a dead medium?
(Asking before I start looking at SONOS compatible equipment and spending money needlessly!!)
Don't get me started on tape cassette. It was useful as a rerecordable media that had portability on its side. That's as far as the love went for me. The power of marketing from just one film - Guardians of the Galaxy - seems to be all that was needed to reignite interest in cassette, and I am truly baffled why anyone would spend good money on it. The record companies don't care though, just as long as something sells.
CDs, I think these are a gold mine right now. There's a growing list of tracks and even whole albums that are being erased from streaming sites. Having a CD in your collection, even if it's in a box in the loft or garage, ensures that you'll never find these gaps in a streaming play list.
Haven't bought a tape for as long as I can remember, in fact not sure I ever bought a new album / song on a tape even back when they were popular...
Still buy CD's all the time if I can. Frustratingly some groups only release tracks on mp3 or FLAC these days. I will buy FLAC files or HD FLAC if I can get it and there isn't a CD available (I have bought HD FLAC a couple of times in preference to the CD to be fair), but I will not buy mp3 on principle of it being sub std quality.
Ripping CD's to mp3 is acceptable for the car as it wont play FLAC or CD's anyway and to be fair its unlikely the difference would be huge in the car, but in the house on the HiFi the difference is quite noticeable lossy and lossless formats.
Aside from the sound quality, there's just something nice about looking though the CD rack, picking an album you've not heard for a while and slotting it into the CD player and perhaps flicking through the CD leaflet, rather than just clicking on the app or streamer interface. I'm sure Vynil is the same experience but its a long long time since I ditched my record deck and I've never wanted one since.
EDIT - likewise on bluray and HD bluray, and my legacy DVD collection. If I want a film I will buy it on bluray or HD bluray depending on what type of film it is. I will happily watch a film on Prime or Netflix if its free as part of the subscription, but I have never paid to specifically rent or buy a single film on a streaming platform.
Still buy CD's all the time if I can. Frustratingly some groups only release tracks on mp3 or FLAC these days. I will buy FLAC files or HD FLAC if I can get it and there isn't a CD available (I have bought HD FLAC a couple of times in preference to the CD to be fair), but I will not buy mp3 on principle of it being sub std quality.
Ripping CD's to mp3 is acceptable for the car as it wont play FLAC or CD's anyway and to be fair its unlikely the difference would be huge in the car, but in the house on the HiFi the difference is quite noticeable lossy and lossless formats.
Aside from the sound quality, there's just something nice about looking though the CD rack, picking an album you've not heard for a while and slotting it into the CD player and perhaps flicking through the CD leaflet, rather than just clicking on the app or streamer interface. I'm sure Vynil is the same experience but its a long long time since I ditched my record deck and I've never wanted one since.
EDIT - likewise on bluray and HD bluray, and my legacy DVD collection. If I want a film I will buy it on bluray or HD bluray depending on what type of film it is. I will happily watch a film on Prime or Netflix if its free as part of the subscription, but I have never paid to specifically rent or buy a single film on a streaming platform.
Edited by AdamV12V on Sunday 26th May 18:11
I still buy CDs. mostly because if I subscribed to the various streaming services, pretty much none of the money would go to people whose music I like.
The discs don't get played, they get ripped to my Innuos player and played from there.
I really need to find somewhere to keep my CD collection out of the way.
The discs don't get played, they get ripped to my Innuos player and played from there.
I really need to find somewhere to keep my CD collection out of the way.
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