I’m just glad there are physical media still available today. I prefer CDs over other mediums but I do buy vinyl records of albums I really like. Some albums, just don’t make the cut. 👍🏻
Ima cd 💿 seller myself till this day 2023 and I’m never going to stop supporting artist and buying their 💿 The people that stream music are cheap and want everything for free and rely too much on their cheap ass earphone low sound quality and rent music 🎶 cheap ass phones😩😩😩 while we cd 💿 buyers support artist and own the music with better sound quality and keep the music forever 😅😊
I literally bought a turntable for the purpose of borrowing records to record them onto cassette tapes. I didn't even record whole albums. I just recorded the hits. I didn't even listen to whole albums to decide what I liked. I ONLY recorded songs that I already knew from the radio. I was a kid.
I always hated it... Wears out, have to flip side, collects dust, very average to low quality sound, etc. I had Linn Sondek LP12 at that time and a suitable sound system (Krell KRC-1, Krell KSA-100s, etc), it was sounding good on some records but i was never that impressed. It looked great but costed high money... I have musicians friends, i was often with them when they practiced and doing the mix when they had gigs. I remember Soundcraft and TAC boards, big Bryston amps, etc: good memories! I was always feeling far away from actual music playing with vinyl... The sound system i have now costs less and leaves all this in the dust: Playing back high quality digital media is now impressive and sound more like the real thing. But it takes competency and willingness to produce high quality records... that's where the industry in general don't give a shit...
I'm still buying CDs. They sound awesome no matter how many times you play it. I've owned vinyls before. Not a fan of the crackles and pops vinyl gives out which gets worse as time goes by. Love your channel!
my vinyl collection goes back to the days when vinyl was the only game in town. You wanted music, you got vinyl. Nothing faddish about it. When CDs came out I started buying CDs as well. I enjoy both formats and do not compare them. Each format has something to offer me. As an early vinyl buyer I became a liner notes junkie. A source of great information for me. If I was a newbie today starting out I am not sure I would start a vinyl collection. It's a lot more expensive these days. Vinyl is a process that I don't think is for everyone, in the long haul. I know there are people out there that got rid of their CDs when they heard CDs were on the way out. I never understood that logic. So you keep or get rid of your collection based on a fad? That baffles me. My music collection is one of my most prized possessions. Great video!
Thanks for enjoying the video. I feel the same way about people getting rid of their collections. Had I gotten rid of certain collectibles when they dipped in interest and value, I would have kicked myself. Music is timeless, and owning original physical media are the greatest ways to appreciate it.
And I remember all the lemmings who jumped off the cliff with their vinyl collections when CDs arrived on the scene. The more things change the more they stay the same. There is so much nonsense written about vinyl vs digital by people who either have a dog in the fight or based on other biased/partial truths. It should be remembered that when CDs were launched it was a golden opportunity for record labels to repackage legacy recordings making them available for the first time on CD at marked up prices- kerching! Same with the vinyl revolution. Money spinners
@@knockshinnoch1950 right you are! I never compared the formats. I have had both for a very long time and enjoy both. I've have some of my vinyl records for 40-50 years old.
I agree with this. I started getting into buying music 40 years ago and then it was mainly vinyl. CDs were around but in their early days. I then went over to CDs in the early 90s. I kept both my vinyl and CDs even when I stopped buying so much and started streaming more stuff. I still buy both formats though and love them both
@nicksterj back in the day $100 would get me maybe 20 albums. Today maybe 4 albums. I purchased a lot of promo copies which were essentially new albums without the plastic wrapping.
I think Vinyl is just the "physical connection," where CD is the superior physical format...VINYL is just more of a 'niche' thing, rather than a 'preservation' effort (which would be better achieved by collecting CDs).
Finally someone looking deeper to provide some insights as to the potential uplift rather than just repeating numbers are up. Potentially reasons 1. Lower marketing investment towards CDs 2. Lower shelf space for cds Vs vinyl pushing users to vinyl 3. Limited releases and designs only on vinyl etc 4. Interest as vinyl being a collectible
The biggest obstacle to a major renaissance for the Compact Disc Digital Audio format is: sound quality of today's mass-market CD albums. This isn't because of the CD format and its truly amazing capabilities. This is because over the past 25 years, for most mainstream music recordings CD engineers have intentionally migrated to the "loudness war" mentality, eradicating the dynamic range with heavy brickwalling as well as altering the original recording's frequency response and spatial characteristics. While some contemporary vinyl LP releases are similarly clipped, some might not be and on others the loudness war compression is less audible due to the euphonic characteristics of LP playback. Does anyone seriously think the media Frankensteins who control over 85% of commercial music recordings would seriously commit to reissuing some CD titles with uncompressed dynamics and state-of-the-art TLC engineering? In the earliest years of the CD format, the purpose was to demonstrate that Compact Disc's PCM technology provided a wider dynamic range and less distortion than analog LPs, but starting in the mid-90s this philosophy was abandoned in favor of "let's make it louder" to play on a car stereo, boombox or CD discman. Since streaming has taken over the "portable" music scene, why not reinvent Red Book CD audio sound quality as a truly first-rate audiophile music format? The answer is: Universal Music Group, Sony Music et al.
Thank you in a good way, the "loudness war" ruined the compact disc. It's time to return to the original compact disc standards and have the widest dynamic range possible for that particular recording. If I want it louder, I just turn up the volume.
This is so true! They have to care more to put on vinyl providing it's a medium of inferior quality. That can explain some title can play sometimes a bit better on vinyl... That's such a shame when the CD media offers a 96 dB range, perfect channel separation, better sound quality, etc. There is still very high quality digital music recorded and mixed by competent sound engineers, too few though...
Brickwalling turned me off CD’s after years of collecting. Then it got even worse and turned me off music altogether. About 10 years ago, I started collecting again, but on vinyl, which is less affected, but not always so. Nothing in this world hurts my ears as much as brickwalled music. Insta headache. The problem is, how can you know, until you purchase? This is why I started to stream lossless. I skip the bad recordings and the good ones to my favourites. If I go on to love a recording, I will track down a physical copy. Almost always on vinyl, but on CD if the vinyl is hard to find, or too expensive. Hope this makes sense.
I grew up on Lps back in the 1970's. For all their drawbacks I cannot see going back to records. I love cds because I own it and the sound quality doesn't deteriorate. I also love listening to entire albums not just the hits. 😊
@@robertquant1122 Streaming in lossless mode is totally transparent and identical to the source media. And forget about all the "HiRes" stuff they're trying to sell, it just lowers the noise floor and Red Book format (16 bits / 44.1 Ks/s) is already better than human ears...
If we look at units sold CDs continued to outsell Vinyl albums here in the UK in 2022. Of course with Albums being sold at ridiculously inflated prices Vinyl outstripped CDs in monetary value. I've found that since embracing streaming rather than spending less on physical formats I have doubled the amount I spent on CD/SACD and other physical formats. That hunter gatherer gene is firmly embedded in our DNA. We have a very different relationship with the music we collect in a physical format- there is immense satisfaction at tracking down and purchasing the highly prized disc and the relationship/bond with the artist. That psychological bond just doesn't exist with streaming.
I completely understand. I can't look at my bookshelf and see a collection of digital streaming. I like looking up there and seeing a collection of music spanning decades.
The only time Vinyl is better is down to mastering. So many CD’s succumbed to the loudness war and clip beyond belief, most of my Vinyl rips are far more dynamic with better balancing.
Physical media is dying. There is no refuting the numbers. Technology drives all this. The CD vs Vinyl debate is really pointless. Records will hang around as collectibles. CD’s will not be produced. Time to “face the music”
To get great sound from vinyl..you need 1: Great pressings ( I’ll leave the analog vs digital production chain fight for another time) 2: A good , let alone top line turntables are going to be surprisingly expensive..notice I didn’t include the arm and cartridge ( MM or MC) , head amp.. 3: They’ve charging PREMIUM prices for vinyl of questionable quality…are you buying a vinyl rip of a cd …the worst of all worlds. 4: CD transports hooked up to an ever improving DAC chain ..it’s always surprising what’s possible. 5 : This gets back to ..set up of the system digitally or analog sourced ..still needs a good set up ( in a room) to get the benefits of the recording. 6: Headphones, QUALITY, headphones and IEM’s can give you great sound without the set up of a good listing room..but you still need the sources and amplification chain sorted out. Great 👍 video.
@@audioarkitekts After hearing high quality records ( mostly jazz and OST) ..you get a sense of why most modern recordings are lacking that certain something Btw, just watched M. Fremmer debut a $20k tone arm 😮
I prefer to buy cd's, because their sound is so much better than vinyl. I still own my old vinyl but rarely buy new ones. Therefore my cd collection is still growing fast.....
I laugh 😂 because the more people stream There never ever going to own music while we in Hollywood aomeba records we buy music and support artist and care about owning music 😊
CDs sound a bit better to my ears, they are more durable & their storage is much easier. Plus they are (usually) much more cheaper. I just can’t imagine having all my music (5K+) on vinyl while still having a harmonious family life :D
With a quality DAC and a good sound system, playing high quality music on CD leaves vinyl in the dust (obviously, If the mix is the same and not contaminated by the STUPID loudness war!).
Problem with a modern CD, it sounds no different then the streaming version, and there will always be a way to make perfect one to one copy of the CD. But having the physical copy is still cool, so collect away. As for vinyl, in almost every case, the early vinyl pressing will blow away any modern CD, and usually better than the original CD. Plus there is money value in vinyl. Not saying that all CD's don't have value, but most do not, and never will. Again, since a CD can be copied perfectly, the sound of a CD will never need to be truly preserved.
Let’s not mention when you’re driving/ road trip and you hit a patch where there’s no signal, streaming is useless and you can’t play your records. CD is the go to.
Although some CD's can be worth good money, or will become worth money, the fact that you can make perfect one to one copy, will always hinder the true need. And any new CD is basically no different than the stream.
I'm back to buying physical media. Mostly CDs, vinyl for some stuff. I'm done with lossy downloads (looking at you, iTunes) and "you will own nothing" cumbersome streaming.
Vinyl is winning the battle in the US but not anywhere else. In 2023, new CDs outsold new LPs in the UK, Germany, Japan and Australia. I bought my first record in 1981 and have never stopped. My first CD in 1986 and never stopped. Both formats are great.
I only buy vinyl of albums I’d listen to in full, where nearly all the songs are bangers, with CDs it’s more streamlined and easier to skip songs and listen how you want (very similar to streaming)
Enjoyed your presentation; well considered and well stated. I too love the cd format, and am pleased to spread the word. Your point about the collectability factor is well taken. I frequent flea markets, record shows and thrift shops, and also the local music stores. Hence my collection has expanded far beyond where it was during the cd's heyday. But as part of my search, I try to excite others about the advantages of the format...
I try and accomplish the same thing. What I would like for people to understand is that the world can coexist with streaming and physical media. Streaming is a great way to discover new music, and CDs are an excellent way to own the music they discover.
Streaming is garbage 🗑 🤮🤮🤢🤢 that’s what killed the music stores made people lazzyyuy this new technology sucks. I miss the 1990 when Best Buy we’re so popular and CDs 💿 we’re the norm and artist made money off their CDs 💿. Music was meant to be bought and they made a huge huge mistake making cell phones have music and everything on their fingertips 😡🤬😡😡😡 I miss the old times when cell phones were basic and only were meant for calling people
How did CDs wind up in a distant 3rd place? Two word answer: Loudness War. It is a rather delicious irony that the medium capable of the best dynamics and lowest distortion is being used to provide the worst.
CDs don't include the ultrasonic frequencies that are emitted by most musical instruments. Vinyl does include those frequencies. There is your explanation why CD is do unpopular and why vinyl is making a comeback. The solution is to add those missing frequencies back into low quality digital files to upscale them to better than CD quality, which you can easily do nowadays.
@@dtz1000 Actually most phono cartridges top of at about 16khz. The disk itself is usually capped at about 12 or 13. CDs will get to 22khz, rather easily. And no I was not asking a question. Do you even know what the Loudness War was about? Do some searches, you're in for a real eye opener.
Same here, I started collecting LPs about 5 years ago and it was a good time. I was able to find lots of original stuff at decent prices. Now many have driven the price up and making it not worth it. Luckily I have just about everything I ever wanted on LP. So I turned to my CDs and I have purchased a few hundred in the last two years.
I like buying CDs & LPs both. I have bought so much more music on CD over past few years due to their low used prices. They should completely get rid of jewel cases. I have always been drawn to CDs that came in interesting cases & covers. Tool had a really great example of that. Also, the boxed set of all Talking Heads CD was very cool!
Availability & nostalgia is why! We got caught up in the vinyl crazy but have slacked way off this year. In a two year period, we amassed over 400 vinyl records. This year though, with prices going up on new & used vinyl, we went back to CDs for price, quantity & sound! I have noticed how more people are asking for CDs in our local record stores. One store that opened as a record only store has now, (in its short three years) has added CDs. People are coming back around because of price, quantity, size & sound. People are getting tired of paying $50 for a double LP when they can get the CD for $20 & not have to flip it over or switch it out! Used LPs went up as well but I see now stores are dropping the price on used. Saw two classic, late 70’s Rush used vinyl in great shape selling for $11 & &12! Just earlier this year those would have been at least $20 something or higher! We even had some stores do midnight release parties for Swift releases & the turnouts in their photos were nothing inspiring! People are getting burned out on cost & ridiculous re-recordings! The stores showed the massive overstock on these Swift releases & that alone tells you how they have over reacted to some of the recent surges in vinyl!
I stream mostly.. and get vinyl for the albums that are my absolute favorites that’ll listen to the full LP.. it’s in the process, and wanting to own something you consider special that streaming just can’t give you.. while I guess cds can give you that.. digital is digital.. vinyl while not the best quality gives you something different in sound… it’s own charm, physical.. seeing it spin.. the care you have to take.. my interest in it started in my early teens. My parents were helping clear out my grandparents house, and we ended up with their old record player with some of the vinyls. Mind you there were no speakers or amp… but I put one on and spun it.. the fact I could hear it like that did something in my brain.. I was amazed. In 2016 right after graduating high school I kept seeing things on the internet about vinyl coming back.. that experience I had before gave me an itch I had to scratch… got a $100 record player and $40 powered speakers… I was in love. I just recently got new equipment.. speakers, amp, sub etc.. vinyl for me was a gateway drug into music. I hope whatever format does that for the next generation is successful. CDs and tapes were around for my childhood and they just don’t do anything for me now.. maybe in 40 years that’ll change.
It's awesome that you were able to discover HiFi within your interest in vinyl. That's a special process not many younger people have the opportunity to discover these days.
I think the CD format was by far the best in terms of not only sound but physical size; durability; play length. The MiniDisc came a very close second.
I used to work to Sam Ash Music store. Although we sold instruments people would sometimes come there thinking we sold cds. I am a collector of cds and vinyl. I have to stay out of the thrift shop I stay buying used cds 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂. I think streaming is cool but I think physical copies is where it’s at. Just like you had vinyls then cassettes then cds you had an option of getting one or the other even all 3. The platform today is being played by various factors that kill artist sales. The physical copies will add up!!!!
Thanks for your thoughts. I’ve only really started collecting cd’s in the last couple of years. I’ve always bought records since I started collecting in the early eighties. But the cost of records new and particularly second hand has increased dramatically. I bought a beautiful hi end vintage cd player which is beautiful to look at, use and listen to. It gives me most of the sense of occasion I get from my turntable plus cd’s are a bargain at the moment. I particularly like to find early cd releases with the AAD spar code. A big factor that put me of the purchase of cd’s was the levels of compression used during mastering during the 90’s and 0’s but that trend seems to be thankfully going. All the best Giles in uk
Great video Mike! I am really enjoying my Audiolab 6000 CDT transport, THANKS for the recommendation! Last week I connected it to my new Schiit Audio Modius balanced DAC. Which is connected to my preamplifier via XLR cables. I started playing my best sounding CD’s. The clarity and detail is incredible. I have also noticed a slight uptake in dynamics compared to using my old DAC. Also an uptake in richness and fullness. Have an awesome week!😎
It’s a bit different here in the U.K. I’d say CDs are still holding their own, going on shelf space in a major record store. Good point about secondhand, there seem to be people dumping their CDs just like vinyl in the 90s. Loads in charity shops and I bought about 300 in 2022, so I’m not complaining! Ebay too. But like you say, good to see people are still into physical media in whatever form! 😀
Streaming is king and CD sound much better than vinyl. Bad sounding LP´s are only just nostalgic nerd stuff. I hate my 2.000 heavy weighted vinyls. Now I´m mostly a streaming and CD guy.
Most places here stoped selling DVDs and CD in the same amounts over 2 years ago. You can get NEW recordings on CD from $5-8 AUD. Most big department stores stock Vinyl Records and Turntables speakers in the same area they have versions now available
There was a slogan on TV when I was a little guy-- "What this country needs is a good 10 cent cigar!" Now I think we need a good $100 CD player, similar to the cheap Crosleys & Victrolas. There are a few decent, nice-looking ones available online, but I don't see stores stocking them. I'm not sure what most people use to listen to music when they aren't driving or using earbuds or headphones, but I do have a tabletop CD spinner from Como Audio (not inexpensive & now discontinued).
@@audioarkitekts I don't think thrift stores will attract as many people looking to get into CDs the way a new player in a music store, dept. store electronics aisle, or best Buy would. Plus, if the thing doesn't work, they can't return it. That might put people off the idea of starting a CD collection.
My wife & I have a vast collection of both vinyl & CD's. I built a high-end system on a reasonable budget. Because CD's have a wider dynamic range compared to albums due to the groove spacing limitations, they have an advantage given the proper conditions using A&B comparisons. Because I'm pushing the optical output of the CD player through a Rotel 1590 preamp optical in I'm bypassing the inferior digital analogue converter on the cd player and the improved accuracy of the sound is startling. In the end we enjoy the Hell out of listening to the artists irregardless of the media's comments.
When it comes to ease of purchase, CDs are generally easier to buy compared to vinyl records. CDs have a wider availability and can be found in various music stores, department stores, and online platforms. They are often produced in larger quantities and have standardized packaging, making them more accessible for consumers. On the other hand, vinyl records may require more effort to find and purchase. They are often sold in specialized record stores or through online marketplaces dedicated to vinyl collectors. Vinyl records have seen a resurgence in popularity, but their limited production numbers and niche market make them less readily available compared to CDs. That being said, the availability of both formats can vary depending on your location and the specific titles you're looking for. It's always a good idea to explore different sources and platforms when searching for either CDs or vinyls to ensure you find what you're looking for.
Most if not all new vinyl record masters available in stores now are from a digitised source. You are only paying for the needle and groove veneer in most cases. In some cases where the album has a hot mix, the vinyl mastering can be more articulate and less distorted than the cd counterpart, but in most cases you are going to get higher fidelity audio via your cd for a fraction of the price. If you want a warm analog sound feom your cds you can always invest in a vintage hifi set up or a tube amp or tube DAC. CD can be easily ripped and stored on phone etc too.
CDs did not outsell and largely replace LPs in record stores until the late '80s and early '90s. I remember when they filled the LP bins in Tower Records on Sunset Blvd. with CDs in long-boxes, and then got rid of the old bins for CD shelves. Those were major remodeling operations. What we're seeing now is a repeat of what happened in the mid-'80s, only in reverse. Back then, there was a race to build and revamp factories to manufacture CDs (for a few years, they came almost exclusively from West Germany -- yes, that was a thing -- and Japan because the US had so few CD-pressing plants), which drove up prices. Now it's the same kind of thing in reverse. I'd love to know what domestic CD production growth and capacity are in, say, 2020-2024 compared to all the facilities that have (re-)opened to press vinyl LPs.
Gee...to heck with CD's and LP's, I'm waiting for the cassette revolution to commence. My vintage Nikko deck is starved for fresh material! I'm amazed at times how well 'some' mass produced cassettes sound in comparison to CD's and Vinyl. Why not bring back the 8 track tapes seeing it actually was a better format than cassette. Hey we can dream can't we? Now if I can only find another old Pioneer 8 track player with Dolby NR and those VU meters.🤔
I few months ago, I purchased the Who's Next/Life House Super Deluxe box set on CD format. It would have taken more than 25 vinyl LPs to have all the material in the aforementioned 11 CD Who set. One gets more bang for the buck with CDs. Although I love both vinyl and CD formats, many vinyl purists are waking up the fact that digital can sound just as good as analog sources and usually better. It all depends on how the recording is remastered. More and more box sets, and reissues in general, will be using digital one-steps as the arduous task & cost of baking original analog tapes is becoming less financially feasible for record companies. The CD format will live!
CD/LP sales are just 10% of their peaks. The problem with both formats is that if you do not pick them up as they are released, buying used will cost you the same or more than original price. This is unheard of in the past. This has actually caused me to buy more music even if I do not have time to listen to it. Now this does not affect older CDs as much, but newer used releases are priced way to high and then you add in shipping if your buy from eBay or Discogs and it can be very frustrating.
I actually own a few cd's because there was no vinyl release for certain album. I like cd's, but one of the huge reasons I enjoy vinyl so much is holding the jacket and appreciating the artwork while I'm listening to it. Everything is bigger and the lyrics are easier to read, you can see more detail. If cd's were more like laserdisc or something I would probably prefer them, but cd's are just too small to enjoy for me. I might as well just listen to the wav file and look at the art online, but that's just way too disconnected for me.
Hi I enjoy both physical media so I collect vinyl records and CDs plus they sound much better than my Spotify streaming service, I only use my streaming services for listening music in my car, at home I like to play a nice vinyl record or play CDs I love my collection of vinyl and CDs and I will never stop buying them, thanks and peace ✌️
At same hifi show I was at a headphone demo who were streaming. Struggled to find the tracks I want! Go figure lol Streaming fails for me in so many ways.
Whether it's CD, DVD, or Blu-ray, if there were a reliable metric for including used sales, the physical media sales numbers would probably be more than double across the board.
100%, used is huge on both platforms. I fire up the loudness wars database and check on just about every album I buy for both CD/Vinyl. Then buy the best that fits my budget best. But if it close or equal I almost always end up with the CD or SACD as they are generally much cheaper than the vinyl version and generally in better condition. Many new CD's and Vinyl pressing are terribly compressed junk version of their former selves as well. Look at 1990 CD of Razors Edge vs 2003 "remastered" CD, the newer one is just completed garbage.
One real reason is there are many more vintage turntables working than vintage CD players. Same with newer ones. Also, turntables are more fun to interact with.
I am a lifelong vinyl collector but, the ever escalating prices of vinyl is an outright gouge. With many of the labels there seems to be almost zero quality control. It's as though the pressing factories are just cranking out product pell-mell with little regard to quality. I still buy vinyl (though only when I really, really want something on vinyl) but last year I bought an Audiolab 6000 cdt and started buying cds again. I am not an "either/or" snob but, if vinyl prices continue to climb i will be forced to buy cds exclusively.
I love cds. The ubiquity of streaming combined with vinyl resurgence has led them to be considered worthless from a monetary stance. Great news for collectors. I found the first 6 White Stripes albums in near mint condition in a charity (thrift) shop yesterday. Total price for all 6 discs: £2 ($2.50 usd). Although I gladly give £138 a year to Apple for hi res and cd quality streaming.
i started buying CDs in the 90s when i was 12 years old and been collecting em ever since, i never cared for vinyl and never will to me its a inferior format in every way. I remeber listening to a friends dads vinyls once and it was the worst listening experince i ever hade. so i stick with my CDs and keep collecting em. =)
CD's just aren't a collectible item in the same way vinyl is. Regardless of audio quality, a big record sleeve is way more visually appealing than a tiny CD case.
I heard that most of young generation who buy vinyl doesn't even own vinyl player. that makes sense to me. everyone loves big album art from vinyl. tbh CD should do that too. CD with same big size vinyl sleeves (with extra jewel cases). that makes me wanna buy cds more.
Here's a good one I witnessed firsthand... Dude walks into the local record shop with a box of used CDs. Wants to trade. The shop owner offers the dude $30 in trade for a box of approximately 35 CDs. Customer enthusiastically accepts the offer because he doesn't want those crappy CDs.... he only buys "vinyls" now. Dude picks out a new copy of The Beatles Abbey Road on vinyl. Store owner trades him even up. That's 30-35 CD's for one $32.95 LP. From that box of used CDs, I picked up Rolling Stones Exile on Main Street, Steely Dan's Gaucho, Santana III, and a couple of others for $3 each. I'd like to say that's unbelievable, but I understand that is the norm these days. For me, it will always be about the music, not the music delivery system.
Today, when digital music is used everywhere and has unsurpassed quality and unsurpassed capabilities, it is completely stupid to revive expensive and primitive vinyl !
The music industry bought back this dinosaur because CDs were to perfect. You can make 1:1 copies of CDs without any loss whatsoever. Vinyl degrades and even if copied, will never be as good as a copied CD. Especially if your playback device is a junky Crosely Cruiser.
Streaming in 24 bit hifi is the way moving forward. CD as a format is technically better than vinyl in every way, the issue is the poor mastering, it is why vinyl typically has more dynamic range than CDs (even modern CDs) despite CDs having more dynamic range on paper. Combine the fact that vinyl is also more nostalgic, has better cover art with extras, and just "feels" more special and requires you to be more purposeful in your listening (you can't just skip to the next track with a button press) is what puts it ahead of CDs. It's about the experience and "ritual", which many people value more over the convenience that a CD can bring. The way I see it, 24 bit streaming/downloads is what people will do if they want convenience and the best sound quality. Buying vinyl is what people will do if they want to have "an experience" enjoying true analog sound and own something tangible. That places CDs in an awkward position, they will probably never have a major comeback that will overtake vinyl. To be blunt, CDs are kind of boring.
I must talk about another format, the cassette. It can fill a need that CDs can't. Sure, CDs sound better, no doubt about it. But you can't record on a CD like you can a cassette player. They're much less expensive than vinyl too
I purchase and listen to both CD's and vinyl, they both have their pros and cons, but ultimately both have a position in the marketplace, physical media for me is superior to streaming.
It is always new item for which the data comes never used. Now what I don't think they count iin cd's and Lp's is media sold at concerts and local and independent artist and from artist websites. It would also be nice if Record Store day would put out more cd's that day. Or do a Cd day They will sell.
When they say that vinyl outsells CDs they're probably talking about in store sales. They're not talking about on online sales. Very few cassettes are sold in stores. Most are sold on line, and the same can probably be said about CDs. For one thing, they're cheaper, especially with used CDs. Don't be surprised if CDs actually outselsl vinyl, especially given the prices. Could be that another myth just got busted.
Somebody higher up is pushing this bullcrap about vinyl being superior. The music industry doesn't want you to own CDs because they can be easily copied without any loss of quality. If the music industry is allowed to add DRM to CDs then suddenly they will reappear.
Additional info- the 2 most recent No1 albums on the UK Album charts in late May 2023 saw the physical sales split spectacularly in CDs favour. Less Capaldi's "Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent" (yeah a ridiculously pompous title) TOTAL SALES- 95,882- Physical sales- 79,147 breaks down by format- CD- 58,421 & Vinyl 18,308, Cassettes 2,418. Downloads 4,834. Sales equivalent streams 11,901. So CD's are a dead format? Nobody buys CDs anymore? Everyone streams now? Total nonsense.
Can't believe the way CD's are treated in charity shops now, stuffed into baskets so you have to rummage around or stuck on the very bottom shelf were you can't physically bend down to see them. Getting rid of CD's would be the equivelent of doing away with Concorde, come on it's the 21st Century for Pete's sake!!
I really don't think you got my message. CDs may not have lost ground to vinyl after all. Vinyl sales are in store sales, almost always. CD sales are mostly online sales. It could be that CDs held their own or maybe even exceed vinyl. There needs to be a lot more homework.
A lot of cds that are now pressed from remasters. When I compare them to the original cds (original masters) at least 95% of those remasters sound compressed... louder but worse then the originals...
The Japanese 7inch sacd hybrid has it right.. big package and quality sound...if cds went bigger in packaging they would be all set ..simple but costly fix i guess
I've been preaching about CDs long before him. I'm flattered that I was able to inspire the movement. Just because a channel is bigger doesn't make the creator the one who originates the content. Thanks for watching! Hope you subscribe so you can see new thoughts and theories here first!
I buy CDs because it's an objective fact they are the ultimate and best sounding way of listening to anything, beating out digital, cassette, and vinyl. I will say vinyl is cool and novel, and can look awesome in a collection, but it's also typically insanely expensive, requires at least minimal levels of upkeep (unlike CDs), and is inferior sound wise to CD and subjectively digital.
One of CDs biggest problems right now is the lack of new high quality CD players more new high end players need to re - made also the used quality CD players market is drying up fast this need to change fast or there be No good quality players out there to play the CDs this fact has been so over looked for a number of years now
I didn't exactly freak out when they said vinyl outsold CDs. If people have the money to throw away, that's their business. I go for CDs and cassettes. I've learned not to get fooled with my money. Remember 8-track tapes? That was a complete ripoff. Jerry
The music industry wants us to buy vinyl, just consider their price for starters and the fact many buy the vinyl and then the streaming copy on top. Every Saturday afternoon I sit in the pub waiting for those newbies to walk in with this weeks vinyl purchases as if its xmas every weekend, there like big kids with their presents. But those new vinyl are not old vinyl, there not analogue and there just not the same as the originals. I am not saying there better or worse, cos I have bought a few, but in the end there almost all sources from the same original recording master tapes. So why buy the new ones and not the originals?? As for the "new stuff" or new artists, na no thanks, I don't have time and already own a large catalogue of original vinyls and a few re-released just to keep some collections complete of all vinyls ever released.
@@audioarkitekts For me I find some original vinyl just did not transfer to digital very well and sound plain bad. This is specific to UK Punk and some heavy metal, for some reason they just sound better on vinyl, rough and ready
I love CD, see the booklet and all is awsome but I think that in the last years theres not a big investment in booklet art like it was in the 90s, and besides music the art in the album was a great plus, booklets with a lot of pages, nowadays is just 1 or 2 pages and thats it, no lyrics nothing.
I think CD is a fantastic medium, but also not perfect. Technically it might be pretty much perfect, but the simple fact that physical media is less convenient to actually play than network streamed data means that ultimately my interest lies in owning, or at least being able to own copies of songs that I can put on players of my choosing. I want real ownership and not just renting for the rest of my life for certain albums or songs. I but vinyl to this day for the reason that I can have a copy that can't be retracted or the price of access going up every year. CDs WOULD be better, but every CD player I've ever owned has eventually died and I'm told it's because the lasers burn out just like lightbulbs. My record player from the early 70s still works. It's been fixed, but it COULD BE fixed. None of my CD players could be fixed at any price. I have no functioning standalone CD player at this time. I will get another, but ugh.
some what seems to be mostly zoomers think Vinyl is superior or higher quality. Ive seen them say things like Vinyl is uncompressed compared to CD which makes no sense as Vinyl has to be compressed to keep the needle from jumping out of the grooves. It's hard to even find CD's in stores where as Vinyl is everywhere now. No wonder CD sales are low especially when older people who dont shop online cant even buy a CD. Also its ridiculous when you buy a 20th anniversary re-release of a CD and its shoved in paper thin cardboard.
I don’t buy CDs. I do not even have a CD player anymore. Or Cassettes or 8 tracks. All I have is two record players. I do listen to music on YT but I prefer LPs Yes, CDs have their advantages but I just like vinyl better.
CDs are a format that's never going to come back, and there's nothing that will change that. LPs are the '20s Funko Pops, driven by people buying five different versions of Taylor Swift's last album they'll never listen to.
Brick and mortar retailers pushed vinyl. Look at what Best Buy did by quit selling the format. And these shitters are trying to do the same with 4k movies.
Vinyl is toxic petrochemical plastic and releases VOC gases and microplastics into your home when you play them. CDs are also plastic but it's a much smaller amount and it doesn't physically wear away and emit toxic fumes. Plus, you can backup your CDs much more easily and get a perfect copy unlike Vinyl.
I’m just glad there are physical media still available today. I prefer CDs over other mediums but I do buy vinyl records of albums I really like. Some albums, just don’t make the cut. 👍🏻
Same here
Ima cd 💿 seller myself till this day 2023 and I’m never going to stop supporting artist and buying their 💿 The people that stream music are cheap and want everything for free and rely too much on their cheap ass earphone low sound quality and rent music 🎶 cheap ass phones😩😩😩 while we cd 💿 buyers support artist and own the music with better sound quality and keep the music forever 😅😊
CDs 💿- buy 1 time yours forever
Streaming -keep paying subscriptions of music u rent and never own 😅
I never was a vinyl guy. I bought records but I bought many more tapes. I got my first CD player in 1987 and I've never looked back.
I literally bought a turntable for the purpose of borrowing records to record them onto cassette tapes. I didn't even record whole albums. I just recorded the hits. I didn't even listen to whole albums to decide what I liked. I ONLY recorded songs that I already knew from the radio. I was a kid.
I always hated it... Wears out, have to flip side, collects dust, very average to low quality sound, etc. I had Linn Sondek LP12 at that time and a suitable sound system (Krell KRC-1, Krell KSA-100s, etc), it was sounding good on some records but i was never that impressed. It looked great but costed high money... I have musicians friends, i was often with them when they practiced and doing the mix when they had gigs. I remember Soundcraft and TAC boards, big Bryston amps, etc: good memories! I was always feeling far away from actual music playing with vinyl... The sound system i have now costs less and leaves all this in the dust: Playing back high quality digital media is now impressive and sound more like the real thing. But it takes competency and willingness to produce high quality records... that's where the industry in general don't give a shit...
I'm still buying CDs. They sound awesome no matter how many times you play it. I've owned vinyls before. Not a fan of the crackles and pops vinyl gives out which gets worse as time goes by. Love your channel!
Thanks Rashid, glad you enjoyed the video. And I agree with you.
CDs 💿 better sound quality u own the music and supporting the artist 👩🎨 Let’s keep physical media alive people 🤟🤟🤟🤟📀📀📀💿💿💿💿
@@robertquant1122 Yeah.. Let's keep the fire burning.
I could show you 50 years old records without a crackle or pop. Depends on how you store and take care of them
@@gptjokes814 ❤️
my vinyl collection goes back to the days when vinyl was the only game in town. You wanted music, you got vinyl. Nothing faddish about it. When CDs came out I started buying CDs as well. I enjoy both formats and do not compare them. Each format has something to offer me. As an early vinyl buyer I became a liner notes junkie. A source of great information for me. If I was a newbie today starting out I am not sure I would start a vinyl collection. It's a lot more expensive these days. Vinyl is a process that I don't think is for everyone, in the long haul. I know there are people out there that got rid of their CDs when they heard CDs were on the way out. I never understood that logic. So you keep or get rid of your collection based on a fad? That baffles me. My music collection is one of my most prized possessions.
Great video!
Thanks for enjoying the video. I feel the same way about people getting rid of their collections. Had I gotten rid of certain collectibles when they dipped in interest and value, I would have kicked myself. Music is timeless, and owning original physical media are the greatest ways to appreciate it.
And I remember all the lemmings who jumped off the cliff with their vinyl collections when CDs arrived on the scene. The more things change the more they stay the same. There is so much nonsense written about vinyl vs digital by people who either have a dog in the fight or based on other biased/partial truths. It should be remembered that when CDs were launched it was a golden opportunity for record labels to repackage legacy recordings making them available for the first time on CD at marked up prices- kerching! Same with the vinyl revolution. Money spinners
@@knockshinnoch1950 right you are! I never compared the formats. I have had both for a very long time and enjoy both. I've have some of my vinyl records for 40-50 years old.
I agree with this. I started getting into buying music 40 years ago and then it was mainly vinyl. CDs were around but in their early days. I then went over to CDs in the early 90s. I kept both my vinyl and CDs even when I stopped buying so much and started streaming more stuff. I still buy both formats though and love them both
@nicksterj back in the day $100 would get me maybe 20 albums. Today maybe 4 albums. I purchased a lot of promo copies which were essentially new albums without the plastic wrapping.
I think Vinyl is just the "physical connection," where CD is the superior physical format...VINYL is just more of a 'niche' thing, rather than a 'preservation' effort (which would be better achieved by collecting CDs).
Finally someone looking deeper to provide some insights as to the potential uplift rather than just repeating numbers are up.
Potentially reasons
1. Lower marketing investment towards CDs
2. Lower shelf space for cds Vs vinyl pushing users to vinyl
3. Limited releases and designs only on vinyl etc
4. Interest as vinyl being a collectible
Thank you for the support!
The biggest obstacle to a major renaissance for the Compact Disc Digital Audio format is: sound quality of today's mass-market CD albums. This isn't because of the CD format and its truly amazing capabilities. This is because over the past 25 years, for most mainstream music recordings CD engineers have intentionally migrated to the "loudness war" mentality, eradicating the dynamic range with heavy brickwalling as well as altering the original recording's frequency response and spatial characteristics. While some contemporary vinyl LP releases are similarly clipped, some might not be and on others the loudness war compression is less audible due to the euphonic characteristics of LP playback. Does anyone seriously think the media Frankensteins who control over 85% of commercial music recordings would seriously commit to reissuing some CD titles with uncompressed dynamics and state-of-the-art TLC engineering? In the earliest years of the CD format, the purpose was to demonstrate that Compact Disc's PCM technology provided a wider dynamic range and less distortion than analog LPs, but starting in the mid-90s this philosophy was abandoned in favor of "let's make it louder" to play on a car stereo, boombox or CD discman. Since streaming has taken over the "portable" music scene, why not reinvent Red Book CD audio sound quality as a truly first-rate audiophile music format? The answer is: Universal Music Group, Sony Music et al.
Now thats confusing ngl imho
Thank you in a good way, the "loudness war" ruined the compact disc. It's time to return to the original compact disc standards and have the widest dynamic range possible for that particular recording. If I want it louder, I just turn up the volume.
@@bsanchez3563 Not confusing to me.
This is so true! They have to care more to put on vinyl providing it's a medium of inferior quality. That can explain some title can play sometimes a bit better on vinyl... That's such a shame when the CD media offers a 96 dB range, perfect channel separation, better sound quality, etc. There is still very high quality digital music recorded and mixed by competent sound engineers, too few though...
Brickwalling turned me off CD’s after years of collecting. Then it got even worse and turned me off music altogether. About 10 years ago, I started collecting again, but on vinyl, which is less affected, but not always so. Nothing in this world hurts my ears as much as brickwalled music. Insta headache. The problem is, how can you know, until you purchase? This is why I started to stream lossless. I skip the bad recordings and the good ones to my favourites. If I go on to love a recording, I will track down a physical copy. Almost always on vinyl, but on CD if the vinyl is hard to find, or too expensive. Hope this makes sense.
I grew up on Lps back in the 1970's. For all their drawbacks I cannot see going back to records. I love cds because I own it and the sound quality doesn't deteriorate. I also love listening to entire albums not just the hits. 😊
I agree. The sound quality of CDs is superior.
Always and forever CDs 💿 better sound quality😮 streaming garbage and will never get to cd 💿 level
@@robertquant1122 Streaming in lossless mode is totally transparent and identical to the source media. And forget about all the "HiRes" stuff they're trying to sell, it just lowers the noise floor and Red Book format (16 bits / 44.1 Ks/s) is already better than human ears...
If we look at units sold CDs continued to outsell Vinyl albums here in the UK in 2022. Of course with Albums being sold at ridiculously inflated prices Vinyl outstripped CDs in monetary value. I've found that since embracing streaming rather than spending less on physical formats I have doubled the amount I spent on CD/SACD and other physical formats. That hunter gatherer gene is firmly embedded in our DNA. We have a very different relationship with the music we collect in a physical format- there is immense satisfaction at tracking down and purchasing the highly prized disc and the relationship/bond with the artist. That psychological bond just doesn't exist with streaming.
I completely understand. I can't look at my bookshelf and see a collection of digital streaming. I like looking up there and seeing a collection of music spanning decades.
This is probably propaganda that the vinyl crowd put out to get people to pay those high prices. Don't believe it, CDs are the better buy.
I'm happy ,let them buy vinyl, than i can buy cheap cd's en enjoy my hobby on 1 euro until max 10 euro on a cd .
Agreed!
The only time Vinyl is better is down to mastering. So many CD’s succumbed to the loudness war and clip beyond belief, most of my Vinyl rips are far more dynamic with better balancing.
@@Harry-ck5rwhere here👍👍
Physical media is dying. There is no refuting the numbers. Technology drives all this. The CD vs Vinyl debate is really pointless.
Records will hang around as collectibles. CD’s will not be produced.
Time to “face the music”
To get great sound from vinyl..you need
1: Great pressings ( I’ll leave the analog vs digital production chain fight for another time)
2: A good , let alone top line turntables are going to be surprisingly expensive..notice I didn’t include the arm and cartridge ( MM or MC) , head amp..
3: They’ve charging PREMIUM prices for vinyl of questionable quality…are you buying a vinyl rip of a cd …the worst of all worlds.
4: CD transports hooked up to an ever improving DAC chain ..it’s always surprising what’s possible.
5 : This gets back to ..set up of the system digitally or analog sourced ..still needs a good set up ( in a room) to get the benefits of the recording.
6: Headphones, QUALITY, headphones and IEM’s can give you great sound without the set up of a good listing room..but you still need the sources and amplification chain sorted out.
Great 👍 video.
Thanks for the feedback, and I agree with you. I want to do a video about the digital to vinyl chain sometime soon...
@@audioarkitekts After hearing high quality records ( mostly jazz and OST) ..you get a sense of why most modern recordings are lacking that certain something
Btw, just watched M. Fremmer debut a $20k tone arm 😮
The CDs for my opinion is the best psycical format ever 💿❤
Agreed!
Thank u CDs 💿 all the way better sound quality cheaper price u support the artist and mostly important u own the music 🎶
It's not a opinion, it's a technical fact.
I prefer to buy cd's, because their sound is so much better than vinyl. I still own my old vinyl but rarely buy new ones. Therefore my cd collection is still growing fast.....
Mine is as well, I have to come up with new storage solutions every time I go buy a haul lol
I laugh 😂 because the more people stream There never ever going to own music while we in Hollywood aomeba records we buy music and support artist and care about owning music 😊
CDs sound a bit better to my ears, they are more durable & their storage is much easier. Plus they are (usually) much more cheaper. I just can’t imagine having all my music (5K+) on vinyl while still having a harmonious family life :D
It would probably take up most people's homes to store 5k+ albums.
With a quality DAC and a good sound system, playing high quality music on CD leaves vinyl in the dust (obviously, If the mix is the same and not contaminated by the STUPID loudness war!).
I only buy CDS. I love them.
Problem with a modern CD, it sounds no different then the streaming version, and there will always be a way to make perfect one to one copy of the CD. But having the physical copy is still cool, so collect away. As for vinyl, in almost every case, the early vinyl pressing will blow away any modern CD, and usually better than the original CD. Plus there is money value in vinyl. Not saying that all CD's don't have value, but most do not, and never will. Again, since a CD can be copied perfectly, the sound of a CD will never need to be truly preserved.
Let’s not mention when you’re driving/ road trip and you hit a patch where there’s no signal, streaming is useless and you can’t play your records. CD is the go to.
😆 except Creed, I'll throw that out the window.
CDs 💿 better sound quality and u own the music 😅
Vinyl overtaking CDs in overall sales is the sign - you better go and buy your used CDs, when they're still common and cheap on the market.
Agreed 👍
Although some CD's can be worth good money, or will become worth money, the fact that you can make perfect one to one copy, will always hinder the true need. And any new CD is basically no different than the stream.
I'm back to buying physical media. Mostly CDs, vinyl for some stuff. I'm done with lossy downloads (looking at you, iTunes) and "you will own nothing" cumbersome streaming.
Owning the music we pay for is #1
Vinyl is winning the battle in the US but not anywhere else. In 2023, new CDs outsold new LPs in the UK, Germany, Japan and Australia. I bought my first record in 1981 and have never stopped. My first CD in 1986 and never stopped. Both formats are great.
I only buy vinyl of albums I’d listen to in full, where nearly all the songs are bangers, with CDs it’s more streamlined and easier to skip songs and listen how you want (very similar to streaming)
Enjoyed your presentation; well considered and well stated. I too love the cd format, and am pleased to spread the word. Your point about the collectability factor is well taken. I frequent flea markets, record shows and thrift shops, and also the local music stores. Hence my collection has expanded far beyond where it was during the cd's heyday. But as part of my search, I try to excite others about the advantages of the format...
I try and accomplish the same thing. What I would like for people to understand is that the world can coexist with streaming and physical media. Streaming is a great way to discover new music, and CDs are an excellent way to own the music they discover.
Streaming is garbage 🗑 🤮🤮🤢🤢 that’s what killed the music stores made people lazzyyuy this new technology sucks. I miss the 1990 when Best Buy we’re so popular and CDs 💿 we’re the norm and artist made money off their CDs 💿. Music was meant to be bought and they made a huge huge mistake making cell phones have music and everything on their fingertips 😡🤬😡😡😡 I miss the old times when cell phones were basic and only were meant for calling people
How did CDs wind up in a distant 3rd place?
Two word answer: Loudness War.
It is a rather delicious irony that the medium capable of the best dynamics and lowest distortion is being used to provide the worst.
CDs don't include the ultrasonic frequencies that are emitted by most musical instruments. Vinyl does include those frequencies.
There is your explanation why CD is do unpopular and why vinyl is making a comeback.
The solution is to add those missing frequencies back into low quality digital files to upscale them to better than CD quality, which you can easily do nowadays.
@@dtz1000
Actually most phono cartridges top of at about 16khz. The disk itself is usually capped at about 12 or 13.
CDs will get to 22khz, rather easily.
And no I was not asking a question. Do you even know what the Loudness War was about? Do some searches, you're in for a real eye opener.
After getting into vinyl from 2012-2017 and buying almost 1,000 LPs, I have gone back to CD.
You have about $30k in vinyl over there!
Can you please share why you went back to CDs?
Can people just play there cd's on gaming consoles instead of boomboxes
Same here, I started collecting LPs about 5 years ago and it was a good time. I was able to find lots of original stuff at decent prices. Now many have driven the price up and making it not worth it. Luckily I have just about everything I ever wanted on LP. So I turned to my CDs and I have purchased a few hundred in the last two years.
I like buying CDs & LPs both. I have bought so much more music on CD over past few years due to their low used prices. They should completely get rid of jewel cases. I have always been drawn to CDs that came in interesting cases & covers. Tool had a really great example of that. Also, the boxed set of all Talking Heads CD was very cool!
I agree that packaging and marketing will have to be the first thing they focus on to make it into a collectible.
You hit tha nail with one word : Trend.
CD all the way for me.
Availability & nostalgia is why! We got caught up in the vinyl crazy but have slacked way off this year. In a two year period, we amassed over 400 vinyl records. This year though, with prices going up on new & used vinyl, we went back to CDs for price, quantity & sound!
I have noticed how more people are asking for CDs in our local record stores. One store that opened as a record only store has now, (in its short three years) has added CDs. People are coming back around because of price, quantity, size & sound. People are getting tired of paying $50 for a double LP when they can get the CD for $20 & not have to flip it over or switch it out!
Used LPs went up as well but I see now stores are dropping the price on used. Saw two classic, late 70’s Rush used vinyl in great shape selling for $11 & &12! Just earlier this year those would have been at least $20 something or higher!
We even had some stores do midnight release parties for Swift releases & the turnouts in their photos were nothing inspiring! People are getting burned out on cost & ridiculous re-recordings! The stores showed the massive overstock on these Swift releases & that alone tells you how they have over reacted to some of the recent surges in vinyl!
I stream mostly.. and get vinyl for the albums that are my absolute favorites that’ll listen to the full LP.. it’s in the process, and wanting to own something you consider special that streaming just can’t give you.. while I guess cds can give you that.. digital is digital.. vinyl while not the best quality gives you something different in sound… it’s own charm, physical.. seeing it spin.. the care you have to take.. my interest in it started in my early teens. My parents were helping clear out my grandparents house, and we ended up with their old record player with some of the vinyls. Mind you there were no speakers or amp… but I put one on and spun it.. the fact I could hear it like that did something in my brain.. I was amazed. In 2016 right after graduating high school I kept seeing things on the internet about vinyl coming back.. that experience I had before gave me an itch I had to scratch… got a $100 record player and $40 powered speakers… I was in love. I just recently got new equipment.. speakers, amp, sub etc.. vinyl for me was a gateway drug into music. I hope whatever format does that for the next generation is successful. CDs and tapes were around for my childhood and they just don’t do anything for me now.. maybe in 40 years that’ll change.
It's awesome that you were able to discover HiFi within your interest in vinyl. That's a special process not many younger people have the opportunity to discover these days.
I think the CD format was by far the best in terms of not only sound but physical size; durability; play length. The MiniDisc came a very close second.
DAT was second. In fact it had superior sound to CD.
I used to work to Sam Ash Music store. Although we sold instruments people would sometimes come there thinking we sold cds. I am a collector of cds and vinyl. I have to stay out of the thrift shop I stay buying used cds 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂. I think streaming is cool but I think physical copies is where it’s at. Just like you had vinyls then cassettes then cds you had an option of getting one or the other even all 3. The platform today is being played by various factors that kill artist sales. The physical copies will add up!!!!
I love thrifting some good CDs. 👍 it's hard to find them in mint condition, though. Even at record shops, I have noticed condition can be an issue.
Yes im also a supporter of mom and pop record stores i love this stuff very passionate. I cant imagine a world without it
Thanks for your thoughts. I’ve only really started collecting cd’s in the last couple of years. I’ve always bought records since I started collecting in the early eighties. But the cost of records new and particularly second hand has increased dramatically. I bought a beautiful hi end vintage cd player which is beautiful to look at, use and listen to. It gives me most of the sense of occasion I get from my turntable plus cd’s are a bargain at the moment. I particularly like to find early cd releases with the AAD spar code.
A big factor that put me of the purchase of cd’s was the levels of compression used during mastering during the 90’s and 0’s but that trend seems to be thankfully going.
All the best Giles in uk
Cheers Giles. What's the model of the CD player you are using, just curious...
@@audioarkitekts hi there. It’s a marantz cd94 and a cda94 dac, think there from around 1986-87.
Great video Mike! I am really enjoying my Audiolab 6000 CDT transport, THANKS for the recommendation! Last week I connected it to my new Schiit Audio Modius balanced DAC. Which is connected to my preamplifier via XLR cables. I started playing my best sounding CD’s. The clarity and detail is incredible. I have also noticed a slight uptake in dynamics compared to using my old DAC. Also an uptake in richness and fullness. Have an awesome week!😎
Thanks buddy. Glad you are enjoying it! 😉
CDs 💿 forever will always buy them sell them and support artist 🤟🤟🤙🤙📀📀📀💿💿 I’m not really a record guy
I think it depends on how you interpret the statistics. As in dollar amount vs. physical count.
This study was done in physical count. However, vinyl will normally win if we talk about revenue because of their current market price.
It’s a bit different here in the U.K. I’d say CDs are still holding their own, going on shelf space in a major record store. Good point about secondhand, there seem to be people dumping their CDs just like vinyl in the 90s. Loads in charity shops and I bought about 300 in 2022, so I’m not complaining! Ebay too. But like you say, good to see people are still into physical media in whatever form! 😀
Thanks for the feedback, and yes, I agree. Finding some gems at charity shops or car boot sales can be quite rewarding.
@@audioarkitekts Ah…I draw the line at car boot sales. Too early on a Sunday for me! 😆
Streaming is king and CD sound much better than vinyl. Bad sounding LP´s are only just nostalgic nerd stuff.
I hate my 2.000 heavy weighted vinyls. Now I´m mostly a streaming and CD guy.
Most places here stoped selling DVDs and CD in the same amounts over 2 years ago. You can get NEW recordings on CD from $5-8 AUD. Most big department stores stock Vinyl Records and Turntables speakers in the same area they have versions now available
There was a slogan on TV when I was a little guy-- "What this country needs is a good 10 cent cigar!" Now I think we need a good $100 CD player, similar to the cheap Crosleys & Victrolas. There are a few decent, nice-looking ones available online, but I don't see stores stocking them. I'm not sure what most people use to listen to music when they aren't driving or using earbuds or headphones, but I do have a tabletop CD spinner from Como Audio (not inexpensive & now discontinued).
Go to your local thrift stores, there are always good options for CD Players in the $15-30 range
@@audioarkitekts I don't think thrift stores will attract as many people looking to get into CDs the way a new player in a music store, dept. store electronics aisle, or best Buy would. Plus, if the thing doesn't work, they can't return it. That might put people off the idea of starting a CD collection.
Why in the world don't they just use a $29 DVD player? I know, because most of these machines don't have a track display.
My wife & I have a vast collection of both vinyl & CD's. I built a high-end system on a reasonable budget. Because CD's have a wider dynamic range compared to albums due to the groove spacing limitations, they have an advantage given the proper conditions using A&B comparisons. Because I'm pushing the optical output of the CD player through a Rotel 1590 preamp optical in I'm bypassing the inferior digital analogue converter on the cd player and the improved accuracy of the sound is startling. In the end we enjoy the Hell out of listening to the artists irregardless of the media's comments.
Love the art work with vinyl. The album covers are awesome.
When it comes to ease of purchase, CDs are generally easier to buy compared to vinyl records. CDs have a wider availability and can be found in various music stores, department stores, and online platforms. They are often produced in larger quantities and have standardized packaging, making them more accessible for consumers.
On the other hand, vinyl records may require more effort to find and purchase. They are often sold in specialized record stores or through online marketplaces dedicated to vinyl collectors. Vinyl records have seen a resurgence in popularity, but their limited production numbers and niche market make them less readily available compared to CDs.
That being said, the availability of both formats can vary depending on your location and the specific titles you're looking for. It's always a good idea to explore different sources and platforms when searching for either CDs or vinyls to ensure you find what you're looking for.
Most if not all new vinyl record masters available in stores now are from a digitised source. You are only paying for the needle and groove veneer in most cases. In some cases where the album has a hot mix, the vinyl mastering can be more articulate and less distorted than the cd counterpart, but in most cases you are going to get higher fidelity audio via your cd for a fraction of the price. If you want a warm analog sound feom your cds you can always invest in a vintage hifi set up or a tube amp or tube DAC. CD can be easily ripped and stored on phone etc too.
CDs did not outsell and largely replace LPs in record stores until the late '80s and early '90s. I remember when they filled the LP bins in Tower Records on Sunset Blvd. with CDs in long-boxes, and then got rid of the old bins for CD shelves. Those were major remodeling operations. What we're seeing now is a repeat of what happened in the mid-'80s, only in reverse. Back then, there was a race to build and revamp factories to manufacture CDs (for a few years, they came almost exclusively from West Germany -- yes, that was a thing -- and Japan because the US had so few CD-pressing plants), which drove up prices. Now it's the same kind of thing in reverse. I'd love to know what domestic CD production growth and capacity are in, say, 2020-2024 compared to all the facilities that have (re-)opened to press vinyl LPs.
The record labels could make more money off a CD, so they started pushing vinyl out.
Gee...to heck with CD's and LP's, I'm waiting for the cassette revolution to commence. My vintage Nikko deck is starved for fresh material! I'm amazed at times how well 'some' mass produced cassettes sound in comparison to CD's and Vinyl. Why not bring back the 8 track tapes seeing it actually was a better format than cassette. Hey we can dream can't we? Now if I can only find another old Pioneer 8 track player with Dolby NR and those VU meters.🤔
You'd be surprised how many artists have been releasing cassettes lately.
I few months ago, I purchased the Who's Next/Life House Super Deluxe box set on CD format. It would have taken more than 25 vinyl LPs to have all the material in the aforementioned 11 CD Who set. One gets more bang for the buck with CDs. Although I love both vinyl and CD formats, many vinyl purists are waking up the fact that digital can sound just as good as analog sources and usually better. It all depends on how the recording is remastered. More and more box sets, and reissues in general, will be using digital one-steps as the arduous task & cost of baking original analog tapes is becoming less financially feasible for record companies. The CD format will live!
i've just played PJ HARVEY CD on my old Panasonic stereo. Felt so good.
CD/LP sales are just 10% of their peaks. The problem with both formats is that if you do not pick them up as they are released, buying used will cost you the same or more than original price. This is unheard of in the past. This has actually caused me to buy more music even if I do not have time to listen to it. Now this does not affect older CDs as much, but newer used releases are priced way to high and then you add in shipping if your buy from eBay or Discogs and it can be very frustrating.
I actually own a few cd's because there was no vinyl release for certain album. I like cd's, but one of the huge reasons I enjoy vinyl so much is holding the jacket and appreciating the artwork while I'm listening to it. Everything is bigger and the lyrics are easier to read, you can see more detail. If cd's were more like laserdisc or something I would probably prefer them, but cd's are just too small to enjoy for me. I might as well just listen to the wav file and look at the art online, but that's just way too disconnected for me.
The pony reference gave you the like from me but other than that it was a still an enjoyable watch
Hi I enjoy both physical media so I collect vinyl records and CDs plus they sound much better than my Spotify streaming service, I only use my streaming services for listening music in my car, at home I like to play a nice vinyl record or play CDs I love my collection of vinyl and CDs and I will never stop buying them, thanks and peace ✌️
I feel the same way!
At same hifi show I was at a headphone demo who were streaming. Struggled to find the tracks I want! Go figure lol Streaming fails for me in so many ways.
Whether it's CD, DVD, or Blu-ray, if there were a reliable metric for including used sales, the physical media sales numbers would probably be more than double across the board.
100%, used is huge on both platforms. I fire up the loudness wars database and check on just about every album I buy for both CD/Vinyl. Then buy the best that fits my budget best. But if it close or equal I almost always end up with the CD or SACD as they are generally much cheaper than the vinyl version and generally in better condition. Many new CD's and Vinyl pressing are terribly compressed junk version of their former selves as well. Look at 1990 CD of Razors Edge vs 2003 "remastered" CD, the newer one is just completed garbage.
Love both cd and vinyl 😍
It's always great to support all physical media!!
Like I said, let Best Buy stop selling CDs. I'll just buy online. That'll teach 'em!😅
They won't learn until they close the doors lol
Now they're trying to kill 4k bluray.
One real reason is there are many more vintage turntables working than vintage CD players. Same with newer ones. Also, turntables are more fun to interact with.
I am a lifelong vinyl collector but, the ever escalating prices of vinyl is an outright gouge. With many of the labels there seems to be almost zero quality control. It's as though the pressing factories are just cranking out product pell-mell with little regard to quality. I still buy vinyl (though only when I really, really want something on vinyl) but last year I bought an Audiolab 6000 cdt and started buying cds again. I am not an "either/or" snob but, if vinyl prices continue to climb i will be forced to buy cds exclusively.
I agree that there isn't value in spending 30 or 40 on a vinyl record. You aren't getting your money's worth.
Vinyl beat CD's in revenue generated only....cd's outsold vinyl in unit volume. Records are 2-3x more expensive than cd's which is why they won.
If they considered the used market CDs would have spanked vinyl in both units and revenue...
Lol No it didn't cds are Obviously better than vinyls. It can be played on xbox lop
I love cds. The ubiquity of streaming combined with vinyl resurgence has led them to be considered worthless from a monetary stance. Great news for collectors.
I found the first 6 White Stripes albums in near mint condition in a charity (thrift) shop yesterday. Total price for all 6 discs: £2 ($2.50 usd).
Although I gladly give £138 a year to Apple for hi res and cd quality streaming.
i started buying CDs in the 90s when i was 12 years old and been collecting em ever since, i never cared for vinyl and never will to me its a inferior format in every way. I remeber listening to a friends dads vinyls once and it was the worst listening experince i ever hade. so i stick with my CDs and keep collecting em. =)
CD's just aren't a collectible item in the same way vinyl is. Regardless of audio quality, a big record sleeve is way more visually appealing than a tiny CD case.
I heard that most of young generation who buy vinyl doesn't even own vinyl player. that makes sense to me. everyone loves big album art from vinyl. tbh CD should do that too. CD with same big size vinyl sleeves (with extra jewel cases). that makes me wanna buy cds more.
Here's a good one I witnessed firsthand... Dude walks into the local record shop with a box of used CDs. Wants to trade. The shop owner offers the dude $30 in trade for a box of approximately 35 CDs. Customer enthusiastically accepts the offer because he doesn't want those crappy CDs.... he only buys "vinyls" now. Dude picks out a new copy of The Beatles Abbey Road on vinyl. Store owner trades him even up. That's 30-35 CD's for one $32.95 LP. From that box of used CDs, I picked up Rolling Stones Exile on Main Street, Steely Dan's Gaucho, Santana III, and a couple of others for $3 each. I'd like to say that's unbelievable, but I understand that is the norm these days. For me, it will always be about the music, not the music delivery system.
Today, when digital music is used everywhere and has unsurpassed quality and unsurpassed capabilities, it is completely stupid to revive expensive and primitive vinyl !
The music industry bought back this dinosaur because CDs were to perfect. You can make 1:1 copies of CDs without any loss whatsoever. Vinyl degrades and even if copied, will never be as good as a copied CD. Especially if your playback device is a junky Crosely Cruiser.
Streaming in 24 bit hifi is the way moving forward. CD as a format is technically better than vinyl in every way, the issue is the poor mastering, it is why vinyl typically has more dynamic range than CDs (even modern CDs) despite CDs having more dynamic range on paper. Combine the fact that vinyl is also more nostalgic, has better cover art with extras, and just "feels" more special and requires you to be more purposeful in your listening (you can't just skip to the next track with a button press) is what puts it ahead of CDs. It's about the experience and "ritual", which many people value more over the convenience that a CD can bring.
The way I see it, 24 bit streaming/downloads is what people will do if they want convenience and the best sound quality. Buying vinyl is what people will do if they want to have "an experience" enjoying true analog sound and own something tangible. That places CDs in an awkward position, they will probably never have a major comeback that will overtake vinyl. To be blunt, CDs are kind of boring.
Has vinyl taken over CDs in units sold or gross sales in dollars? Records cost more than CDs typically.
Gross sales, it will never touch CDs in units sold.
@Mike On Audio Thanks, Mike.
@@ericjensen9091 you're welcome
Yes probably
I am certainly buying more CDs than I am able to listen to. Maybe one day I'll catch up!
I must talk about another format, the cassette. It can fill a need that CDs can't. Sure, CDs sound better, no doubt about it. But you can't record on a CD like you can a cassette player. They're much less expensive than vinyl too
I'd rather do VHS tapes than cassettes. Much better quality. Watch my new video on the subject!!
I used to make lots of mix tapes. I would still do it, if I had a cassette deck
I purchase and listen to both CD's and vinyl, they both have their pros and cons, but ultimately both have a position in the marketplace, physical media for me is superior to streaming.
With the releases of Earbook CD, Vinyls have nothing left for them.
It is always new item for which the data comes never used. Now what I don't think they count iin cd's and Lp's is media sold at concerts and local and independent artist and from artist websites.
It would also be nice if Record Store day would put out more cd's that day. Or do a Cd day They will sell.
I would LOVE a CD day!!!!
When they say that vinyl outsells CDs they're probably talking about in store sales. They're not talking about on online sales. Very few cassettes are sold in stores. Most are sold on line, and the same can probably be said about CDs. For one thing, they're cheaper, especially with used CDs. Don't be surprised if CDs actually outselsl vinyl, especially given the prices. Could be that another myth just got busted.
I totally agree 👍
It also depends on the CDs 💿 and we’re u buy them The old music is harder to find and it’s super expensive
Somebody higher up is pushing this bullcrap about vinyl being superior. The music industry doesn't want you to own CDs because they can be easily copied without any loss of quality. If the music industry is allowed to add DRM to CDs then suddenly they will reappear.
Additional info- the 2 most recent No1 albums on the UK Album charts in late May 2023 saw the physical sales split spectacularly in CDs favour. Less Capaldi's "Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent" (yeah a ridiculously pompous title) TOTAL SALES- 95,882- Physical sales- 79,147 breaks down by format- CD- 58,421 & Vinyl 18,308, Cassettes 2,418. Downloads 4,834. Sales equivalent streams 11,901. So CD's are a dead format? Nobody buys CDs anymore? Everyone streams now? Total nonsense.
Can't believe the way CD's are treated in charity shops now, stuffed into baskets so you have to rummage around or stuck on the very bottom shelf were you can't physically bend down to see them. Getting rid of CD's would be the equivelent of doing away with Concorde, come on it's the 21st Century for Pete's sake!!
I really don't think you got my message. CDs may not have lost ground to vinyl after all. Vinyl sales are in store sales, almost always. CD sales are mostly online sales. It could be that CDs held their own or maybe even exceed vinyl. There needs to be a lot more homework.
Absolutely Jerry, that's one of the first points I address in the video. I totally agree 👍
One word: Mastering
A lot of cds that are now pressed from remasters. When I compare them to the original cds (original masters) at least 95% of those remasters sound compressed... louder but worse then the originals...
That's why I avidly look for CDs with the AAD symbol. That's the tell, that the CD will sound pretty darn good.
The Japanese 7inch sacd hybrid has it right.. big package and quality sound...if cds went bigger in packaging they would be all set ..simple but costly fix i guess
I'd be willing to spend an extra couple dollars for a more memorable and collectible experience
@@audioarkitekts as would i.i own Miles Davis bitches brew and its an amazing packaging experience..ill join you in starting the revolt!!
@@Born2gun77 let's do it!
Did you get this info from Darko's channel?
I've been preaching about CDs long before him. I'm flattered that I was able to inspire the movement. Just because a channel is bigger doesn't make the creator the one who originates the content. Thanks for watching! Hope you subscribe so you can see new thoughts and theories here first!
I buy CDs because it's an objective fact they are the ultimate and best sounding way of listening to anything, beating out digital, cassette, and vinyl. I will say vinyl is cool and novel, and can look awesome in a collection, but it's also typically insanely expensive, requires at least minimal levels of upkeep (unlike CDs), and is inferior sound wise to CD and subjectively digital.
One of CDs biggest problems right now is the lack of new high quality CD players more new high end players need to re - made also the used quality CD players market is drying up fast this need to change fast or there be No good quality players out there to play the CDs this fact has been so over looked for a number of years now
I use a 4k bluray player to listen to CDS 💿. The player can also play SACDs.
I refuse to pay 30 to 60 bucks for a vinyl record that I used to buy for less than 10 bucks in the past !
I gave up on vinyl back in 1985 and I have 0 regrets. Long live the CD. 💿👍🏻😎
Cds were more built for computers
@@Directv_290 I'm going to pretend I didn't see this pointless comment. 🤣😂🤣
I love cd's as well. I have about 2000 in total and most are ripped and stored on my classic ipod. So convenient
@@PatrickCorbett-h4r 👍🏻😎 I have about a thousand and have them on my iPod too.
I didn't exactly freak out when they said vinyl outsold CDs. If people have the money to throw away, that's their business. I go for CDs and cassettes. I've learned not to get fooled with my money. Remember 8-track tapes? That was a complete ripoff.
Jerry
Now CDs are back😀
The music industry wants us to buy vinyl, just consider their price for starters and the fact many buy the vinyl and then the streaming copy on top. Every Saturday afternoon I sit in the pub waiting for those newbies to walk in with this weeks vinyl purchases as if its xmas every weekend, there like big kids with their presents. But those new vinyl are not old vinyl, there not analogue and there just not the same as the originals. I am not saying there better or worse, cos I have bought a few, but in the end there almost all sources from the same original recording master tapes. So why buy the new ones and not the originals?? As for the "new stuff" or new artists, na no thanks, I don't have time and already own a large catalogue of original vinyls and a few re-released just to keep some collections complete of all vinyls ever released.
I am curious why people buy vinyl created from a digital recording.... isn't the allure of vinyl supposed to be an ALL analog chain?
@@audioarkitekts For me I find some original vinyl just did not transfer to digital very well and sound plain bad. This is specific to UK Punk and some heavy metal, for some reason they just sound better on vinyl, rough and ready
thank u sir
You are very welcome 🙏
Keep buying vinyl for $30+ and I'll continue to buy your CDs for a dollar. But don't worry, I'll sell them back to you in a few years for $20+.
The vinyl says is a fraction to Spotify subscription fees..
I love CD, see the booklet and all is awsome but I think that in the last years theres not a big investment in booklet art like it was in the 90s, and besides music the art in the album was a great plus, booklets with a lot of pages, nowadays is just 1 or 2 pages and thats it, no lyrics nothing.
CD manufatcturers need to get rid of the jewel case. They crack easily. Paper based cases are much better.
I think CD is a fantastic medium, but also not perfect. Technically it might be pretty much perfect, but the simple fact that physical media is less convenient to actually play than network streamed data means that ultimately my interest lies in owning, or at least being able to own copies of songs that I can put on players of my choosing. I want real ownership and not just renting for the rest of my life for certain albums or songs. I but vinyl to this day for the reason that I can have a copy that can't be retracted or the price of access going up every year. CDs WOULD be better, but every CD player I've ever owned has eventually died and I'm told it's because the lasers burn out just like lightbulbs. My record player from the early 70s still works. It's been fixed, but it COULD BE fixed. None of my CD players could be fixed at any price. I have no functioning standalone CD player at this time. I will get another, but ugh.
"Vinyl was never any good." Rudy Van Gelder
Good thing that linkin park bix set in your thumiail has both 5 cds and 4 binyl
some what seems to be mostly zoomers think Vinyl is superior or higher quality. Ive seen them say things like Vinyl is uncompressed compared to CD which makes no sense as Vinyl has to be compressed to keep the needle from jumping out of the grooves. It's hard to even find CD's in stores where as Vinyl is everywhere now. No wonder CD sales are low especially when older people who dont shop online cant even buy a CD. Also its ridiculous when you buy a 20th anniversary re-release of a CD and its shoved in paper thin cardboard.
I don’t buy CDs. I do not even have a CD player anymore. Or Cassettes or 8 tracks. All I have is two record players. I do listen to music on YT but I prefer LPs
Yes, CDs have their advantages but I just like vinyl better.
CDs are a format that's never going to come back, and there's nothing that will change that. LPs are the '20s Funko Pops, driven by people buying five different versions of Taylor Swift's last album they'll never listen to.
Vinyl is seen as cool. My kids buy vinyl at concerts, but they never listen to them! They are happy with RUclips Music.
Brick and mortar retailers pushed vinyl. Look at what Best Buy did by quit selling the format. And these shitters are trying to do the same with 4k movies.
Vinyl is toxic petrochemical plastic and releases VOC gases and microplastics into your home when you play them. CDs are also plastic but it's a much smaller amount and it doesn't physically wear away and emit toxic fumes. Plus, you can backup your CDs much more easily and get a perfect copy unlike Vinyl.
Because people keep burning cds there's no profit unlike vinyl plus beauty large cover is nice!