The CD is Dead!.....Long Live CD!

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Still-One

Servers sure take care of that issue most of the time.

We are so spoiled!

[eddiel]

Originally Posted by Rilands

Eddie,
You may be right, but everytime i visit my local stores it seems there is one less rack with cd's available. I've noticed this trend and felt it was only a matter of time. My 18 & 20 year olds never bought cd's growing up, they download everything. I think this is the way of the last couple of generations.

CDs still account for a large portion of sales and profit. Take the recent Adele release as an example. That sold what 10M and most of those were cd sales.

I do think that cds will continue to decline and at some point record labels will start moving to a download exclusive model but even then I think that we will still get a limited pressing on cd. They'll continue to cater to that market if it still exists! But 14 months time? I think it's too soon.

Of course record labels are hardly known for their sensible ideas so you never know!

But I don't think it will happen. Besides we would have more news outlets covering this story as it will be a big major move. The effect on labels and the support industry will be huge. Pressing plans will probably close overnight resulting in job losses, not to mention the job losses at the labels, distributors...the list it goes on.

[1KW]

Even though I load my cd's into my computer and play them as a AIFF with pure music software, it is nice having the cd as a back up. I will continue to buy cd's as long as they are available.

[Ritmo]

Ditto. I'm about to move to computer audio via the Bryston BDP1 but will continue to buy the discs as long as they are available.

Mike

[Rmac]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

I would miss re-alphabetizing them all when the shelf breaks.

lol!

[paazel]

I can't see CD's being discontinued until the labels have a direct distribution model. I've ripped all my CD's to Apple Lossless and primarily listen only via iTunes; but I'll never purchase lossy music with DRM. I'm sure most people who buy CD's feel the same way, and record companies aren't going to give up our money yet!

[Rayooo]

Originally Posted by paazel

I can't see CD's being discontinued until the labels have a direct distribution model. I've ripped all my CD's to Apple Lossless and primarily listen only via iTunes; but I'll never purchase lossy music with DRM. I'm sure most people who buy CD's feel the same way, and record companies aren't going to give up our money yet!

I'm in the process of ripping CDs to FLAC and WAV.
Every now an then I get a chill up my spine (the negative kind ) in thinking the day will come with no music buying format other than some lossy compressed format. .

I've also got quite a collection now from HDTracks, NAIM, Linn etc.
After the chills pass, I go back to "Assuming" that when the last physical CD is made, all music will be available in a maximum resolution/lossless format from somewhere. I hope I hope I hope.

[djwhog]

I think the real bottom line is cost, marketing, shipping, profit margins and the age of less quality for the sacrifice of quantity. It is like fast food crap food processing. Some how people love the buffet mentality. Then whine when the quality is the throw away world.

They will make larger profits with no media.

I think it is so so sad

There are so many levels above and beyond a basic cd. And you would think since the late 70s early 80 these better formats around the basic CD would have really taken off.

I mean can you imagine if we all were still using only a 486/33 CPU? NO I think not, so why is our love going backwards and not ahead? Her we are in 2011, we as audiophiles own some of the best electronic gear ever made, yet the bulk of the media is weak and going to get weaker for the mainstream.

Formats such as HD CD's, XR, XR24, SACD, SHM, SHMSACD, DVD-a, DXD and so many more. I think a while back the post that another great member on the board made to a Neil Young interview said it all:
" You can not control what comes out the back of a donkey"

I worked some long hours in a real recording studio back in the day, and when the music was laid down on large 32 track decks there was so much info and when processing, processing, re-processing etc. So so much is left on the floor and colored and cut.

Again hate to see CD's go, but I feel that they will always be here the rest of my lifetime as will Vinyl for audiophiles

I guess this song sums it up for me

Near the End David Gilmour

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThP67vJ4hZg"]Near the End David Gilmour - YouTube[/ame]

[eljr]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

I will continue my usual CD purchases, about 5-10 per month.

I wish I could get my purchases down to a manageable number like that. Maybe this will "help me."

[beowulf]

Originally Posted by metaphacts

I'll stick with my vinyl!

Did they really have something like that?