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HasCD sound exceeded expectations since 1983?

Question should read..."Has CD sound quality exceeded consumer expectations since 1983??" Despite CDs operational convenience, dynamics and silent backgrounds, there seems to be much grousing and criticizing a medium that is almost now universally recognized as the best sound quality available.

However, "analog sound" continues to be the ultimate measure of CD sound among many audiophiles Even though I own an above average turntable and MC cartridge. I get tired of hearing the quip: "CDs are great...BUT records sound better" Where is the CD digital medium headed?? (especially with the computer audio boogeyman waiting in the wings to take over)
sunnyjim

Showing 2 responses by tomcy6

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tomcy6
2,631 posts
 
According to Nielsen SoundScan, in 2011 223 million cds and 4 million vinyl records were sold in the US. Last week on Amazon about 2,000 cds and about 200 vinyl records were released. Cd will be with us for a while yet.

tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,631 posts
 
Hfisher,

I don't think I would call the transition from cd to another digital format as cd being squeezed out. Cd served its purpose and it will be replaced by a newer format.

Cd was not all bad. It caused the reissuing of vast amounts of music that was OOP on vinyl or shellac. I have a lot of music in my cd collection that I never would have been able to hear if it had not been reissued on cd.

Cd probably sounded as good as or better than vinyl on most systems. Most systems are not audiophile quality and most people did not clean their lps or even their needles. They might blow the lint off the needle once in a while.

IMHO, Digital download or streaming is the future of the vast majority of music. Vinyl, cd and even SACD will remain as niche markets for as long as I'll be around anyway.
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