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I buy CDs, but rip them all to a losslessly compressed audio format. It's just so much more convenient to use foobar2000 and a nice DAC.
Discs may be getting passé, but the technology keeps maturing and most music is still released on CD. Besides, deals on used discs also abound. Are you still interested in CD players?
Most of my collection is CD based & I don't see the record companies not releasing new titles on disc for another decade or so. Hell, LPs were supposed to have died two decades ago but we are still listening to & buying them today.
It is becoming more & more dificult to find the old-school music store. We may be just stuck with Borders and books are also a dying format. The oldest store in town is closing down because the owner died and his family just wants to lease the building. (no love for music) Half of my equipment came from this store and they always had hard to find CDs. Downloads are easy, but now we are one more step farther from the music. The whole equipment-driven, large speaker, discreet component systems are being replaced by Logitech speakers on the computer that have a 5" speaker they call a subwoofer.I will keep buying LPs & CDs for as long as they are found. (OK, I confess I probably will listen to my computer-stored music also).
I love the CD format. As far as I'm concerned, it's the best consumer audio format ever devised. Even with the rise of computer-based audio, it's still nice having a physical back-up; especially one with nice graphics and liner notes. Besides, I'm passionate about my music and consider myself a collector. So I value having some "thing" to collect!
Moved to all-digital between iTunes for casual and Linn Klimax DS for audiophile listening. Only reason I buy CD's is to get an uncompressed 44.1KHz version. Rip and then file. Will stop doing this when I can download lossless versions of mainstream releases. Definitely won't be buying any more CD players.
Record players are still here aren't they? It.stands to reason that disc players will be around for a while yet. Why sacrifice quality for convenience? Quality is the only reason to listen to music, where technology is concerned. Until digitally distributed music is of a higher quality than the CD versions, and very high-quality digital players using solid-state or magnetic storage are readily available, there is no reason to download anything.
I'm going to buy something nice in a player for my birthday in September. I just bought a cheapo Magnavox from WalMart it sounds pretty good through my MSB DAC. A new DAC is something else I may add to my birthday goodies. I officially retire in September!
I still buy CDs, but I download them on my Mac Mini in an uncompressed format. The uncompressed music file sounds identical to my CDs played in my CD player. Therefore, I decided to take advantage of having my entire music collection downloaded and I can zip through all my music at the touch of a finger. I am using my 52" Sony XBR4 LCD as my computer monitor, so my family and friends are blown away with the album cover art, music titles, and, most importantly, the high-fidelity sound coming through the system! I'll never buy another CD player.
Absolutely! Streaming may be "the future" of digital hi-fi, but actual discs are a pre for most music fans. Besides, getting good sound from an old-but-great transport plus a new DAC (such as the DacMagic) is in fact simpler and more affordable than tweaking the heck out of a PC.