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I've bought some SHM CDs and they are great. Will buy more of these this year.
Will it be more of the same or is there a big development lurking around the corner? What are your audiophile predictions for 2009?
Even computer technology magazines have taken note of the resurgence of vinyl, which is my prediction. It will not overtake other formats, but I would not be surprised to find spaces made in music stores (at least) for records; most likely special editions. I also suspect that turntables will become slightly more prevalent, with USB outputs (I know there are already USB enabled turntables on the market) in combination with standard audio and maybe the odd optical output in higher end turntables. This also brings the question of a battle to maintain control over the content as the usual digital DRM measures won't work with vinyl. I also see a battle over whether vinyl audio will sound the same after USB treatment opposed to staying straight analog. (NOTE: This leads me to another question: Should vinyl recordings stay analog from microphone to speaker for maximum enjoyment?)
Vinyl will continue to thrive and grow, albeit in small numbers comparing to digital downloads. Large, cheap hard-drives will continue to drive home audio with more CD players having harddrives either installed or with a USB hub for moving files and playing them. With small 500 gig HDs commonplace how can this marriage with CD players not happen. Let's see who is first to catch on.
Given the credit crunch and major market downturns, combined with fewer millionaire types to buy their products, I expect to see several high-end companies go under, unfortunately. On a more positive note, more music server technologies, and maybe a new high-def music disc standard (on Blu-Ray?)
Despite the economic downturn, all of the "I Gotta Dream" version of MMF (Make Money Fast) audio euphoria artists (manufacturers) will continue to propagate their products as the only way to true Nirvana audio happiness. Reviewers (equipped with blinders) will continue to propagate the intrinsic value of these socially irredeemable goods.
The hardware based audio high end industry will tank due to the recession and a lot of stores will go away. It will be harder for the aging audiophile to find the equipment reviewed in this publication or be able to afford it. Hence, the demise of the hobby below late 50-year-olds or older. Software will continue to be downloaded more and more. Music and video. With newspapers going under and people buying fewer books & CDs, Hastings and Borders will also go Chapter 11. That means all the audiophile will have left is internet, Best Buy and WalMart. The little speaker and equipment manufacturers who gave us all the great designs will go away because the revenue just won't be there. People will be more consumed with keeping their jobs, paying bills and figuring how to pay for their kids college and retiremnet. All of this means the hifi industry is in deep do do. I even expect one of the majors (Sony or Denon) will have to reorganize. Happy New Year!
I think that we will see more on high rez. downloads and D/A's to use with them. Also I think we will see more of the vanishing attention to quailty CD players. I really hope that we see better quality vinyl pressings than what we have been overpaying for.
Gosh, I sure hope nothing significant breaks. I'm trying to catch up as it is. I'm guessing that improvements will be made with downloadable audio and storage: increased resolution, like true lossless Dolby HD or dts, eventually even in multichannel. At least 96 or 192kHz resolution. That is truly the future, not analog and extremely primitive vinyl.
I see 2009 being a great year for big developments as companies look to survive the economic crisis that started on 2008. I expect the first great Blu-ray recordings this year. 2009 should also be the year where DACs for PCs/iPods become more accessible. I am really tired of amplifying the mediocre sound coming out of the analog outputs of these devices.