Revival of the CD…
- Thread starter turnitup
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audiocrzy
Super Member
Shouldn’t be. The laser never touches the surface.
audiocrzy
Super Member
Back in the day when you could buy 10 CDs for a penny if you bought a couple at the regular price was how I started my CD library. I’d immediately stop my subscription that at the time was by writing a letter then start all over again. I probably did that 20 times using the TV guide. Now I’m really dating myself
j!m
Super Member
The bulk of my music is on CD.
I think it’s great to hit a thrift now and grab a few titles for a buck or two each. Let’s me take more risk on what I buy, because it’s not $15 a pop.
Now is the time to bulk up your CD collection!
Playback quality is no different than with records. The more you invest in the playback equipment, the more rewarding the playback experience. I use an (old now) Theta Data transport and an (older) Aragon D2A. It sounds good! Not better than pristine clean vinyl but very enjoyable.
I think it’s great to hit a thrift now and grab a few titles for a buck or two each. Let’s me take more risk on what I buy, because it’s not $15 a pop.
Now is the time to bulk up your CD collection!
Playback quality is no different than with records. The more you invest in the playback equipment, the more rewarding the playback experience. I use an (old now) Theta Data transport and an (older) Aragon D2A. It sounds good! Not better than pristine clean vinyl but very enjoyable.
Wayben
Super Member
Most of my music is on CD, however I still have sizable collections of LPs, cassettes, and 8-tracks. The various medias seem to always be around, but finding working players can be a problem. Working higher end 8-track players are pretty hard to find and cassette players are getting harder. Might want to grab a few CD players while they're still around if you're going to keep CDs.
DogsPart2
Well-Known Member
Mine too.
Have a few box sets on their way to me.
Eagerly anticipating new boxes from The Who, Cream, Miles Davis, Beach Boys and Bob Dylan within the next 12 months.
Spitfirejoe
Cheap Audio Aficionado
Has anyone following this thread ever had a CD go bad in storage? I remember hearing about deterioration happening - disk rot or whatever they want to call it. I know improperly stored discs can "bronze", but have never seen it happen. Some of the sets I've bought were HORRIBLY treated; scratched, dirty, smoke film covered, greasy fingerprints, etc. Even those discs will play without skipping for the most part. Not all, but by far most of them will play. Some refuse to rip on first run, but I can usually get a clean rip if I clean and polish the CD. Even rips that show errors will play without noticeable problems on my computer and wherever I move the files (phone, iPod, Plex Server).
I still remember the first CDs I purchased. Sinead O'Connor "I Do Not Want...." and Iggy Pop "Lust for Live". A friend of mine was a manager at a Musicland at a local mall, and I was able to use his discount. I remember that even around 1990, cd players were still fairly expensive and I ended up getting mine at a Sears Outlet store ("dings and dents", so discounted to my price range).
Now fast forward 30 years, and I listen to my vinyl as much or more than my CDs. I'm glad I kept all my albums from back in the day, because I still like listening to them (Pixies, Joy Division, Bauhaus etc.). Somehow, I never got around to replacing them on CD.
All that being said, I don't anticipate getting rid of my CDs any time in the near future. They're still so convenient. And as others have pointed out, you can get them now at giveaway prices. Plus, it's way easier to find something that interests me on CD than what's offered in the record section at thrifts. Seems like you gotta look through hundreds of LPs by Jim Nabors, Enoch Light, Firestone Christmas etc. to find just a single album that is either good or at least looks promising
Final note: I work at a public library, and I'm responsible for the adult a/v collection (meaning I purchase movies, music etc.). Our circulation of CDs have decreased precipitously over the past several years, not coincidentally at the same time as the increase in music streaming. So much so, that we may have to take it into consideration in future budget allocations (my CD budget is already just a quarter of what it was a few years ago). Meanwhile, some of the libraries in our consortia are beginning to purchase.....record albums!
Now fast forward 30 years, and I listen to my vinyl as much or more than my CDs. I'm glad I kept all my albums from back in the day, because I still like listening to them (Pixies, Joy Division, Bauhaus etc.). Somehow, I never got around to replacing them on CD.
All that being said, I don't anticipate getting rid of my CDs any time in the near future. They're still so convenient. And as others have pointed out, you can get them now at giveaway prices. Plus, it's way easier to find something that interests me on CD than what's offered in the record section at thrifts. Seems like you gotta look through hundreds of LPs by Jim Nabors, Enoch Light, Firestone Christmas etc. to find just a single album that is either good or at least looks promising
Final note: I work at a public library, and I'm responsible for the adult a/v collection (meaning I purchase movies, music etc.). Our circulation of CDs have decreased precipitously over the past several years, not coincidentally at the same time as the increase in music streaming. So much so, that we may have to take it into consideration in future budget allocations (my CD budget is already just a quarter of what it was a few years ago). Meanwhile, some of the libraries in our consortia are beginning to purchase.....record albums!
I have over 2000 CDs and I've only seen a couple go bad. Blank CD-R and CD-RW discs go bad much more often.
Story is misleading. Dollar sales are up (that inflation thing) but so is the case for other formats. Even more so in most cases. When viewed as a proportion of total sales, however, CDs have been on a continual downward slide for the past twenty years. Hover over orange area in linked graph for values.
Source: RIAA data
https://www.riaa.com/u-s-sales-database/
Source: RIAA data
https://www.riaa.com/u-s-sales-database/
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cpt_paranoia
Addicted Member
Yes. I've had nine go bad. All PDO pressings, and a recognised problem of 'bronzing'. They wont rip, and barely even play.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_disc_bronzing
Brings new meaning to the Beatles lyric '4000 holes in Blackburn, Lancashire (pressings)'...
Speaking of CD's, I remember in Philly wmmr had a show called "CD Saturday" where for a few hours, they would play classic rock newly issued on CD.. pretty interesting to hear the new format -- anyway a mother called in and said it was immoral what they were advertising -- "SEEDY Saturday" ... HA HA !!
cpt_paranoia
Addicted Member
The DJ Nicky Horne had a show called 'Your Mother Wouldn't Like It' on London's Capital Radio when I was at school (pre-CD).
She would have rung in for, that, too, I guess...
She would have rung in for, that, too, I guess...
I have a couple higher end players and quite honestly, I find that cds on good equipment can hold their own against other media. The bonus is that so many people have lost their interest in discs and are throwing them away. I’ve picked up some excellent music for free at our local put and take at the dump. Add those to the cheapies…often quarters…that pop up at fleas and yard sales, and for very little investment, I have accumulated thousands. Talk about little risk in learning which bands or performers I’m going to enjoy. I suppose I’m one of the few that doesn’t want to hear about a revival. I like things just the way they are.
Doug G.
Lunatic Member
audiocrzy
Super Member
Every now and then it’s sort of hard to tell.
I do believe cds hold up better for long term collecting and love the xtra dynamic range and no background noise ! That said not all but somethings just sound better on lps ! I’m sure a lot of it is how the were transitioned to cd but I’ll always have a soft spot for lps !
50nstillhifi
Super Member
,... another "vintage find" that will be put to re-use 
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