Do you still by CDs?

[sygnus21]

Agreed, having to rip an entire collection over again would be daunting and keeping back ups is always good practice if the data are important to you in any way. When I initially ripped my CD collection, I would just rip 4-5 here, 8-10 here whenever time permitted. I didn’t bother keeping track of the total time required, but it was not insignificant.

Having already ripped up to 800 of the at that time 2700 CDs, once I decided to rip the entire collection it basically took 3 months, averaging about 20 CDs a day.

And yes, obviously backup. I think that speaks for itself.

I would also agree with the different markets, different music statement. “Odd” genres or small independent artists of yesteryear may have only had 1 option to present. And yes, there was a time before lossless and FLAC audio being readily available for some of us youthfully challenged folks, lol.

FLAC files (lossless audio) have been around since at least 2001. WAV files even longer. When I got into computers in 1998, people were downloading mp3 files, but I preferred WAV files so that's what I was doing when I was ripping CDs using Roxio

And for the record, I've been around since 1959

 

[2leftears]

I would also agree with the different markets, different music statement. “Odd” genres or small independent artists of yesteryear may have only had 1 option to present. And yes, there was a time before lossless and FLAC audio being readily available for some of us youthfully challenged folks, lol.

There are still a significant number of artists (usually indie/unsigned) who only make their songs available in a lossy format. E.g. I would say at least 10% of the many Japanese artists/bands I follow only make their songs available in 320kbps AAC on OTOTOY, or 256kbps AAC on iTunes.

 

[sygnus21]

There are still a significant number of artists (usually indie/unsigned) who only make their songs available in a lossy format. E.g. I would say at least 10% of the many Japanese artists/bands I follow only make their songs available in 320kbps AAC on OTOTOY, or 256kbps AAC on iTunes.

We all know full well not everything is on CD. I've had to buy digital downloads myself cause some of the stuff I want isn't on CD so you not saying anything I don't know.

Obviously if you can't find something on CD, but it can only be had via the download track that's the path you take. So, what's your point? Or is this more about being contrary just for the sake of being contrary?

Also want to add, I've plenty of LPs not on CD so I've had to copy LP to CD to get the album.... so yeah, keenly aware not everything is on CD

 

[nismo270r]

FLAC files (lossless audio) have been around since at least 2001. WAV files even longer. When I got into computers in 1998, people were downloading mp3 files, but I preferred WAV files so that's what I was doing when I was ripping CDs using Roxio

And for the record, I've been around since 1959

As you noted, some of us nuts have been messing about with audio prior to 2001 and computers well before that. Swapping music in the BBS times, we thought we were hot stuff, especially when we made the leap to 14.4kbps! I recently found my old first edition copy of “The Internet Yellow Pages” from 1994. 600 pages containing all the websites on the WWW. Quite comical to think about now!

 

[costabrothers]

Yeah, I still grab CDs pretty often. There's something about having the physical copy that feels way more satisfying than just streaming. Plus, a lot of the metal stuff I listen to isn't always up on Spotify or whatever, especially smaller bands. Lately I've been buying directly from bands on Bandcamp or at shows, just to make sure they actually get some support. Prices for some CDs have gotten crazy though, especially for out-of-print stuff lol

 

[whirlwind]

Yep. Just received the new Samantha Fish cd today....listening as I type this.

 

[sygnus21]

As you noted, some of us nuts have been messing about with audio prior to 2001 and computers well before that.

When's the last time you built a PC? - Show us your PC/Setup. I'm sill active

 

[2leftears]

There are still a significant number of artists (usually indie/unsigned) who only make their songs available in a lossy format. E.g. I would say at least 10% of the many Japanese artists/bands I follow only make their songs available in 320kbps AAC on OTOTOY, or 256kbps AAC on iTunes.

We all know full well not everything is on CD. I've had to buy digital downloads myself cause some of the stuff I want isn't on CD so you not saying anything I don't know.

Obviously if you can't find something on CD, but it can only be had via the download track that's the path you take. So, what's your point? Or is this more about being contrary just for the sake of being contrary?

Also want to add, I've plenty of LPs not on CD so I've had to copy LP to CD to get the album.... so yeah, keenly aware not everything is on CD

I'm not sure why you think I am being contrary, I didn't even mention CDs?

I think we are talking cross-purposes.

I wasn't talking about CD (didn't even mention it in the post you quoted), rather I was talking about the availability of lossless vs lossy downloads. My post was in response to @nismo270r , agreeing that not everything is available in lossless.

Your point was a different one, pointing out that the lossless format has been available for many decades (and for many artist's lossless downloads also), which I agree with.

Prices for some CDs have gotten crazy though, especially for out-of-print stuff lol

I find CD prices interesting, comparing current CD releases from current artists today with 90's CD prices from 90's artists who were (then) current.
(e.g. comparing regular normal album releases from regular normal mainstream pop/rock artists).

In absolute ($, £ etc.) terms, prices of CDs today are pretty much where they were when I was buying them in the 90's (they seem even a little bit cheaper these days). Accounting for inflation they should now really be some 50% higher, so in real terms (inflation adjusted) CDs seem to have gotten some 30% to 40% cheaper compared to the 90's. Thus I find them better value now than ever before.

Of course for out-of-print stuff prices can be high.

 

[mepstein10]

I still buy CDs. Some releases don't get released on LPs unfortunately, or the mastering is so atrocious on vinyl which requires going to CD. Having a very good source also makes listening to CDs a joy, and spurs the need to increase the collection.

 

[mjtbah98]

TL;DR Yes, I buy CDs.

I still buy CDs, primarily because I can get a great sounding CD player for MUCH cheaper than I can get a high quality turntable/cartridge combo. (I paid around $84 for a 1990 JVC XL-Z431 CD player last years, and have spent close to around a grand on my vinyl set up, and still not satisfied with the sound. Less cleaning and fear of malfunction, too!) Where I live, people dump used CDs off to used book stores and locally owned record stores in droves. Everyone concentrates on vinyl these days, and I can get at least 10-15 CDs for the price of one LP, around 5-10 CDs for the price of one album download. Plus living in a rural area streaming on the go isn't exactly conducive with poor cell reception, so CDs are still a great medium for on the go listening for me! I also enjoy buying used because sometimes people will leave something personal, like a name or receipt or even concert stubs in the case, and it's almost like having a shared connection with that person. For CDs that are scratched I can use EAC and around 75% of the time can get a good extraction of an otherwise unplayable CD, so I do upload them to my computer for that purpose. Other than that, disconnecting from the internet and phone is absolutely a joy because I can just concentrate on the music!

 

[2leftears]

For CDs that are scratched I can use EAC and around 75% of the time can get a good extraction of an otherwise unplayable CD, so I do upload them to my computer for that purpose.

Some superficial scratches can be repaired. By understanding CD playback technology as well as having an understanding of optics it is often possible to have a good guess at which scratches will give readout and/or tracking problems, and which ones can be fixed (sufficiently) to eliminate any read errors. The approximate 0.7mm diameter of the collimated laser as it enters the polycarbonate CD surface is a useful guide.

You can get polishing machines and kits, but also careful local polishing by hand often (not always) fixes small scratches and scuffs.

Having said that, in my experience many scratches look far worse than they are in terms of giving readout problems; it is often when CD substrate errors combine (uneven thickness, off-centre pressing, and scratches) that the problems start.

Other than that, disconnecting from the internet and phone is absolutely a joy because I can just concentrate on the music!

I totally agree. Also, although you can still listen to whole albums when streaming, playing CDs offer a greater incentive to rediscover the art of appreciating whole albums as a complete work.

 

[nismo270r]

Where I live, people dump used CDs off to used book stores and locally owned record stores in droves. Everyone concentrates on vinyl these days, and I can get at least 10-15 CDs for the price of one LP, around 5-10 CDs for the price of one album download.

I find the same near me, where you can find used CDs for as cheap as $1-2 an album. The condition can vary widely, but as long as you pay attention, it can be a a great bargain!

 

[sygnus21]

For me it's not about cheap CDs prices, it's about a format I enjoy. A lot of my CD are actually more expensive, not less. Take Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs SACD disks for example. These things are $30 bucks apiece. Or some of my Japanese paper sleeved editions costing $20+ apiece, or my other premium CDs. I'm not buying to save money, I'm buying cause I like how they sound, or they are special editions I want. Just as I did with vinyl records.

Anyway, I've always had a physical media collection whether vinyl records (still have a small collection) or CDs. It's just about (for me) the joy of owning something I can touch, feel, and see. Appreciate the artwork of them. And for me, no matter how good my ripped (FLAC) files are, the CDs just sound better (also gear dependent).

Lastly, I've owned CDs since 1987, and none of those originals are damaged because I don't leave them out, in the car, or anywhere other than in their original cases and stored on CD shelves out of the sun. I also don't loan out my music so no chance they get damaged (or lost) by anyone but me.

My two cents

 

[mjtbah98]

Some superficial scratches can be repaired. By understanding CD playback technology as well as having an understanding of optics it is often possible to have a good guess at which scratches will give readout and/or tracking problems, and which ones can be fixed (sufficiently) to eliminate any read errors. The approximate 0.7mm diameter of the collimated laser as it enters the polycarbonate CD surface is a useful guide.

You can get polishing machines and kits, but also careful local polishing by hand often (not always) fixes small scratches and scuffs.

Having said that, in my experience many scratches look far worse than they are in terms of giving readout problems; it is often when CD substrate errors combine (uneven thickness, off-centre pressing, and scratches) that the problems start.


I totally agree. Also, although you can still listen to whole albums when streaming, playing CDs offer a greater incentive to rediscover the art of appreciating whole albums as a complete work.

Most of the discs I have are in good condition, but sometimes buying used (especially lots) you get a couple that have the occasional scratch or scuff that won't buff out. That's typically when I upload them to the computer to make a CD-R backup, using the error correction with a few passes on EAC usually gets a decent copy of the affected track(s). There are some discs that I have that have too deep a scratch (affecting the silver layer) this method doesn't work on, but for the most part I can rescue a cd that otherwise wouldn't play without a skip or two. One of these days it would be nice to get a buffing machine, but I don't have any CDs I can't replace with another copy, so I'm not that concerned about it. I actually prefer cassette artwork (easier to remove from its case without damage from the little tabs in the jewel case) to CD artwork, but having any artwork at all is nice as opposed to having to stare at a computer screen to see it (in my case!)

 

[sygnus21]

Most of the discs I have are in good condition, but sometimes buying used (especially lots) you get a couple that have the occasional scratch or scuff that won't buff out. That's typically when I upload them to the computer to make a CD-R backup, using the error correction with a few passes on EAC usually gets a decent copy of the affected track(s). There are some discs that I have that have too deep a scratch (affecting the silver layer) this method doesn't work on, but for the most part I can rescue a cd that otherwise wouldn't play without a skip or two. One of these days it would be nice to get a buffing machine, but I don't have any CDs I can't replace with another copy, so I'm not that concerned about it. I actually prefer cassette artwork (easier to remove from its case without damage from the little tabs in the jewel case) to CD artwork, but having any artwork at all is nice as opposed to having to stare at a computer screen to see it (in my case!)

I shop for used CDs all the time. Gotten some excellent finds at really good prices, especially a lot of my premium audiophile discs. That said, if they're scratched or ratty looking, I'm not touching them. The one thing I don't do is buy scratched or damaged CD, no matter what it is. If I buy online, I stay away from listing marked as "Good".

Anyway, I use dBpoweramp to rip my CDs. Been using that program for years.