#21
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I don't stream, as I'm a cheapskate who doesn't want to be subscription-paid-restricted to what any of the applicable services do or don't offer. But I download to some extent (typically, three or four hi-rez albums a month) and have largely shifted my listening habits to computer-stored downloads, rips of a number of the CDs and 24/96 or 24/192 DVD-Audios (or their DAD relatives) I've acquired over the years, and, lately--thanks to a pair of newly-acquired vintage Mediatek-chipped Sony Blu-Ray players--rips of my approximately 250 SACDs.
I grew up browsing through record-store bins starting in the late 1950s, and I've adapted that habit to the online universe, pawing my way through the catalogs of a diverse array of sites (among them, but not limited to, ProStudio Masters, Presto, Hyperion, ImportCDs, Elusive Disc, AcousticSounds, eBay, and occasionally Amazon). I've discovered that in some instances it's cheaper to buy a physical SACD than to purchase an equivalent download, and that applies in some cases as well to CDs for which there's no hi-rez version. So guess what the cheapskate does in those situations. In other words, I'm still buying physical media. While I've noted that CD prices tend be trending upward, I've also discovered that it pays to shop around. In some instances there are close to glaring disparities in pricing for the same disc between one vendor and another, so if your particular "time is money" equation allows it (mine does, since I'm long retired), comparison shopping can be well worth it. I'd note, too, that among the not inconsiderable number of my non-audiophile but music-loving friends, there's no perceived incentive to abandon their CD players for rips, downloads, or streaming (no matter how much I rave about hi-rez or the convenience of computer storage and playback in my emails to or conversations with them). It's largely a matter of generational mindset, but their numbers are large enough, at least at present, to guarantee a continuing market for physical media.
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Jim Bedroom: Aurender N150, TEAC UD-505 AKM version (to be replaced by inbound Bryston BDA-3), EMIA Cu Elmaformer passive line stage, conrad-johnson MF2500, Paradigm Studio 20 v5. Shunyata Delta D6, Altaira CG hub. Shunyata Alpha XC, Delta NR v2, Alpha USB, Alpha and Venom CGC/SGC. Wireworld Eclipse 8 interconnect & speaker cables. Stillpoints footers, Butcher Block Acoustics maple platforms. Stillpoints and GIK acoustic panels. Home Office:Windows 11 PC/JRiver 31, TEAC UD-501, Luminous Audio Technology Axiom II Walker Mod passive, conrad-johnson Sonographe SA-250, Paradigm SE-1. Shunyata Hydra (Original Version), Venom 10 NR. Wireworld Eclipse 7 interconnects. Blue Jeans speaker cable. Living-Dining Room: Windows 11 Laptop/JRiver 29, Oppo BD-83, TEAC UD-501 DAC, SOTA Sapphire TT, Graham Slee Era Gold V, Ortofon 2M Black, McIntosh MR-77, c-j Sonographe SC-25, c-j MF2500, Paradigm SE-3. Wireworld 8 IC, Blue Jeans SC. Shunyata Hydra 8 v.2, Shunyata Delta NR, Venom NR. GIK 244 bass & scatter-plate panels. |
#22
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Quote:
George |
#23
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George, absolutely! I'm very happy I saved those albums on my phone, but am seriously considering giving up Tidal. With Qobuz, I haven't seen - yet - that albums disappear from their catalogue.
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Stereo: Hegel H590, Grimm Audio MU1, Mola Mola Tambaqui, Burmester 948 - V3 & V6 racks, Vivid Audio G2 Giyas, REL Carbon Special (pair), Silent Angel Bonn N8 Ethernet Switch & Forester F1, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse IC and SE SC, Furutech Digiflux AV: Hegel C-53, Marantz AV8802A, Oppo BDP-203EU, Pioneer Kuro 60", Vivid Audio C1 & V1w's, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse, SE & E Second system (veranda): Halgorythme preamp and monoblocks, Burmester 061, Avalon Avatar, Sharkwire & Wireworld cables |
#24
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...
Last edited by Veloceleste; 02-17-2021 at 05:19 PM. |
#25
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I only spin, and with two systems in two locations, have been creating a duplicate library of my absolute favorites. I do seem to be noticing a tick up in out-of-print discs prices in the secondary market. |
#26
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If CD’s are on the way out...
The OP prefaced his statement with, “if”.
Overall sales are down, however, I believe there will still be a market, albeit niche much past most of our lifetimes. I’m in full support to download, and also believe you can get better results with more effort in equipment and related. I was considering a better transport, but I’ll stick to ripping and storing on the music and backup server, and will really start to focus on vinyl in order to have options related to the native recording that will sound the best on playback no matter the source. |
#27
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Quote:
- Buck
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Library: Speakers: Avalon Acoustics Isis, Subwoofers: (2) REL Acoustics 212SE Amplification: D’agostino Momentum preamplifier, D’agostino S250 stereo amplifier Digital: dCS Rossini CD/SACD transport, dCS Rossini DAC/streamer/master clock. Analog: Brinkmann Taurus table, Lyra Etna Lambda, Audio Research Ref. Phono 3 |
#28
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The more I stream, the less I spin silver discs. But the more I listen to black ones, the more I want to spin those
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#29
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it did seem like you enjoyed the vinyl on Saturday afternoon.
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#30
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Is this Mike Lavigne? Welcome to AA......I heard nothing but great things about the experience with Ed and Marc last weekend, hope I would be able to come out there again someday and experience the setup.
- Buck
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Library: Speakers: Avalon Acoustics Isis, Subwoofers: (2) REL Acoustics 212SE Amplification: D’agostino Momentum preamplifier, D’agostino S250 stereo amplifier Digital: dCS Rossini CD/SACD transport, dCS Rossini DAC/streamer/master clock. Analog: Brinkmann Taurus table, Lyra Etna Lambda, Audio Research Ref. Phono 3 |
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