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LPs outsell CDs again, now? Yep.

GordonW

GordonW

Speakerfixer
Subscriber
An interesting tidbit:

https://www.npr.org/2023/03/10/1162568704/vinyl-outsells-cds-first-time-since-1987-records

Apparently, it took a combination of a gain in LP sales (17% increase over last year) and a loss of CD sales (18% reduction from last year), to do it.

Funny, as I have been on a CD ripping and digital library campaign, recently. Replacing lost or damaged CDs, getting CDs and digital downloads to fill in gaps in my collection, and such. Mostly, because I seem to spend a lot of time on long car trips recently (Atlanta GA area to Goshen IN, Washington DC, and Tampa FL in the last 6 months, with a trip to Chicago in the near future), and having my whole digital library on a flash drive to plug into the car stereo, is a wonderful thing...

Regards,
Gordon.
 
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Vinyl began outselling CDs in 2020 in terms of revenue, because the average new LP is almost twice as expensive as the average new CD, but not in units sold. Same thing in 2021. Now, 2022 was the first year that vinyl began outselling CDs in terms of both revenue and units sold. So that's why we've seen the same headlines three years in a row.

And for context, cassette tapes handily outsold by vinyl and CDs in 1987. Cassettes were the best-selling pre-recorded music format from 1983 to 1992.
 
needforspeed said:
Not surprised, At my store, The huge AMEBOA RECORDS in SF, The vinyl section is standing room only on Saturday’s
Including many ladies, Surprisingly they just expanded their Cassette room as well
Analog listening is alive and well around these parts
Click to expand...
Not surprised. Tapeheadcity and other companies with the tape reissues is exploding.
 
I like CDs, especially the "used" market. The supply is large, and prices are still pretty low. Rarely buy LPs anymore (new or used). Most of my media spending is on streaming services and high-res downloads. If I find a new artist I particularly enjoy, I generally buy the CD too (ideally from Bandcamp!) and rip it.

CD has become a niche product, like vinyl. I suspect that CD sales falling below vinyl says a lot more about the popularity of streaming services than it does about the popularity of vinyl. I tend to think about the digital media market - CDs, streaming services, downloads - in total, rather than its piece-parts.

Thinking about it this way, the size of the digital market of course dwarfs the size of the analog market. Its no surprise that streaming and downloads have nearly eliminated CD, as the end product (a digital stream, for processing via a DAC) is the same, but without the limitation of the physical disc.

I still like my records, but don't listen to them all that often anymore. Mostly only when I have a few "stereo friends" over and we listen to cuts from my collection (while drinking responsibly:)). Otherwise, my listening is digital....probably about 50/50 between the services and my local library (on hard drives). My CD players see even less use than my turntables.
 
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Didn't "CD" format simply transform into "DVD" format? How do LP vs DVD market share(s) compare?
 
I am in the midst of working out storage issues with "compatibility" and storing CD collections on a PC. There seems to be an abundance of CDs, mostly in second-hand venues available to purchase, rip, and then give to another. The market appears to be quite active! As for competing with vinyl, I see these collectors as a special group wanting "nostalgic material" you can see, touch, and play :D
 
That's something. The format was on the ropes 15-20 years ago. I remember getting an extra stylus for my Shure V15 Type IV before it became unavailable.
 
Cassettes were popular merely because of convenience and portability, THE chief criteria for the vast majority of users.

Playing records is such a neat thing to do and when you know the intricacies of how a CD player works, playing them is too.

Doug
 
And yet they are putting a nail in the industry by raising prices $ 10.00. They will never learn,I understand what the market will bear put 29 to 39 for a single album and 39 to 49 for a double album is pricey. 125 for 45rpm of Steely Dan Catalog?
 
...I lament the disappearance of 5-dollar-and-under-used-in-very-good-condition-Lp...and now...back to my recliner and Sunday Morning Newspaper... complete w funnies...but not Dilbert...
 
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