It seems like getting computer source perfect and beat hi end cd player is problematic and cumbersome, which completely destroyed the convenience of computer source..... Even if you do everything right... it's still not definite... there are so many things besides bit perfect read that affects sound quality....
Sigh... I have ripped 8000 songs with WAV on iTune over the past 5 years...... it's such a daunting task to start over....
I have read on some forums that even with bit perfect set up/software, you still get different results with different CD/DVD ROM drives... how many different bit perfect copies are there?
If it is at all possible getting bit perfect results.... shouldn't the results be the same with different drives....
"Because that's a much bigger if reading real time from an optical drive in general than with files stored on a computer hard drive".
If reading in real time (1X) doesn't result in bit perfect data comparing with files stored on a computer hard drive.... How is it possible to get bit perfect data in the first place? What I mean is..... if reading/ripping in real time doesn't get perfect bit for bit data..... how is it possible when reading/ripping at multiple speed (4x, 8X, 24X) be any better? It's the same data, if a CD/DVD ROM can't even get it right in the first place in real time..... how can one guarantee ripping from it results in perfect bit for bit information?
Still.... I believe the power supply in a computer is not clean enough for hi end use..... and.... there are so many signal cross talk with all the components in the computer.... hell... even hard drive generate internal noise....
I guess it's one of those thing where people have different school of thoughts... and one can believe in anything with theories to back up their thoughts...
At the end of the day...... I urge all of us to just trust our ears..... I have personally done a blind A/B test....Even if I didn't do every technical aspects right .... I have preference in hi end CD players and hi end dedicated music server... |
"It seems like getting computer source perfect and beat hi end cd player is problematic and cumbersome"
No more problematic than choosing the right stylus, turntable, cables and phono preamp, and then adjusting the turntable. This is simpler I think. Manufacturers of computer audio equipment usually provide recommendations, instructions and even some software. Find a simple way to get this from a turntable manufacturer.
"Still.... I believe the power supply in a computer is not clean enough for hi end use"
These are myths. Has little or no effect on it if you use the right technology, either async USB, Firewire or networked audio.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio |
"how can one guarantee ripping from it results in perfect bit for bit information?"
Simple, just use dbpoweramp on PC with Accurate-Rip enabled or XLD on Mac with Accurate-Rip.
Like I said already, this pretty much guarantees that the dataset and control information in the frames is correct, unless maybe the track you are ripping has never been ripped before.
Once you have this, it will last forever on the right storage media. It will not have read-errors when your CD player gets old, and the disk will not degrade over time (they do). The variability in the pits, which results in jitter in most CD players is no longer an issue.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio |
No, it is the end of high end vinyl. No, wait, that was 30 years ago. |
No, it is the end of high end vinyl. No, wait, that was 30 years ago. Priceless! People went ballistic with the "new CD format" that is “much better than any vinyl” just like it happens with the supposedly "new and better computer audio" now. I mean this here is a an amazing and super-convenient Honda product too, but will it ever replace your car? It sure can, especially if you are so obese that you can't get into your car, but it will take you sevral days getting to your favorite restaurant and then back home. :-) On the bright side, there will be no DUIs. :-) Best, Alex |
Aplhifi,
you have taken some of my statements out of context. What I was getting at was the CD/DVD drives when used with specific ripping software can produce amazing results and make a nonsense of expensive transports. Not that any old CD/DVD drive on its own will compete.
Take it as read that there will always be someone doing something to sell you a product that may work better. But compared to many, computer audio is the way to go. There is just some set up. Just like every other piece of equipment.
Thank you for clearing up the limit of s/pdif, but this is not true of all s/pdif.
Most people here, unless using very new equipment, will not be able to pass 24/192k via their s/pdif. Hence my question about the limit. I mention jittery as he was using optical & s/spdif from his laptop. I feel FW gets you past all this.
It is clear that as usual people have made all this sound complex. But in Waynekers case a few adjustments to his computer and software I am sure will do the trick. But he seems happy to play 1 CD at a time and likes his sound.
I used to do it that way, but I could never go back to such a limited way of playing back music. Having your library available at the press or slide of a finger means I listen to way more music, and I dont fall into the pattern of reaching for the same old CDs at the front of the pile.
Waynekers if you have already ripped lots of your library to WAVs no worries. You can easily convert them to Aiffs and get the benefit of the metadata on the Mac. You may even be able to remove some errors too if you didnt rip them well the 1st time around. I am not sure how they do it, but I saw someone using software on a PC that did it! But thats another story... |
Well... I haven't had the chance, time, or fund to get in to vinyl. I am just comparing a hi end CD player with the same music on my Mac Pro. I will probably not get a dedicated music server...... I really just use my Mac for music backup since I still prefer busting out the actual CDs.
The problem is.... a lot of CDs of mine are rare recording and or CDs that are only available in Asia with special recording. I don't know how common they are or whether or not it has been ripped.
That said... I will eventually get XLD on Mac with Accurate-Rip but I am not going to ripping my entire library of 8000 songs all over again.... Which music player is best once the rip is done? Is iTune sufficient? |
Chadeffect, I am not saying I am completely happy with playing 1 CD at a time. I love the convenience of computer source.
If you can recommend me the right right ripping and playing software, I would be happy to do an all computer source!
Seriously.... although I know on the 069 it's completely great and it really does wonders playing CDs.... I am welling to give up a little bit of the sound quality to get the convenience of a computer source. I am relocating and I don't think I want to move all my CDs. I would be completely happy dealing with computer source only when I am moving to places for workl
|
There won't be END DAYS for the high end (or any end) cd player in our lifetime. There are just too many cd's out there. What will probably happen, as it happens often in audio (think SACD) is that the player market will decrease to a nice niche, smaller specialized market for the die-hards, not unlike turntables. |
Very intersting dicussion about the same subject on the computer auifophile site:
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/CD-v-ripped-CD-files-inferior-Sound-quality
The OP is trying to get clear answer to the same question I asked beofre, I quote:
The issue here is whether it is possible to get exactly the same sound from ripped files as from direct CD playback, comparing them in the the same playback setup (i.e. same PCs, CD drivers, DACs, cables, etc.)?
I would like to know this. For me this is the most important aspect of this whole computer based front end, before jumping in. Please read the thread before advising on different tools and options. The OP down there is used/tried most of them and still claiming that original CD sounds better.
Any body who did the A/B testing? |
I think many has done the À/B-ing but come to different results Depending on how advanced each setup were. My experience is that CD done "right" sounds better than PC/Mac->Dac done "right". My A/B-ing was done with same Dac so difference was CD as transport vs Computer(PC and Mac) as transport. |
"The issue here is whether it is possible to get exactly the same sound from ripped files as from direct CD playback, comparing them in the the same playback setup "
Absolutely, in fact I would argue that with the right equipment and playback software, its better. That's the key though. If you have an AirPort Express and a Mac, dont expect to beat your CD player. If you use Toslink directly from a Mac, dont expect to beat your CD player.
If you get The Absolute Sound, you would know that a computer audio room got best sound of the show at 2010 RMAF.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio |
Having had my head spun around by digital, both in the positive and negative sense since first having heard it, I'm ready to agree with the presumptive nature of the question, 'Are we at the 'End of Days' with regard to High End Digital...meaning I suppose, pricing beyond a certain dollar figure is about to come to an end quickly, as the ROI is so shaded toward the lower end of product given the level of quality now available.
In the old days, early on in digital, the inadequicies manifested themselves as 'thin and reedy' and annoying to the ear, (for me). Turntables simply 'trounced all commers' into the world of music reproduction.
Now, almost 30 years later, we're seeing the 'limitations' as a simple 'lack of resolution', but, to my ear, not nearly as grating--if one can separate dissappointment from fidelity, or lack thereof.
In experimenting with a friend who just purchased an IMAC, and is building a music library, we did a fun experiment.
Using the 'Great Winston Ma's' recordings as a sample of what a 'truly great recording' should sound like....we recorded a piece using the 'minimum/for maximum transportability' that Mac recommends. The file took up about 14.5MB. Then, we recorded the same, using the true maximum res, least loss, and compared a (minimum) to b (maximum) to the original, while being played through a piece that I consider to be a wonderful player, the Oppo conversion piece by Exemplar.
A was 'adequate' and other than dissappointing, not annoying. B was much, more resolving (and took up 75MB by comparison), and C was of course, the best, by far.
We've come a long way in digital--and to answer the question that this site/post asks...YES, I do believe we've reached the point of no return on mega buck players.
First of all, most people lack the hardware to appreciate the differences--convenience has to be a factor in some regard and at a certain point for most of us, AND with a player like the Oppo/Exemplar, which costs $2500--why spend much more?
Best, as always,
Larry |
I have to agree with Larry.... Most of us probably lack the hardware to appreciate the difference. I have been talking about the Burmester 069, it's a US$50000 player and it serious beats all aspect of my current CD player/DAC, Burmester 061. At almost 4 times the price of a 061, does it sound a lot better? Yes. Does it worth it? Depends on people. I can't afford it... yet
Yes, Burmester 069 would be categorized as the mega buck player and I couldn't believe my years. Changing the from 061 to 069 during an audition... the difference was MIND BOGGLING!
CD on 069 > WAV on 069 > CD 0n 061 > WAV on 061.
On some tracks, the difference between CDs and WAV on 061 were minimal and requires your full attention to hear the difference. On some tracks, the differences were pronounced. However, the differences between CDs and WAV on 069 were NIGHT AND DAY! Keep in mind that the 061 and 069 has the SAME DAC!
So... why would the SAME DAC circuit sounds so DIFFERENT between these 2 players? Like I said, a belt-drive CD mechanism with error of tolerance that is less than 1/3000 of an inch, huge power supply that weights 50lbs (25kg), has no sound distorting capacitor and of course other trickeries to eliminate jitter, and it has a better internal crystal clock. All the component that goes into a 069 is probably of higher quality/grade than the ones in 061.
According to Burmester.. "Just like analogue record players, the belt-drive CD player offers enhanced de-coupling of the record medium from the drive unit. The rotation of the CD is held completely even without sound distorting vibrations or staggering. Therefore, the CD is read out with considerable higher precision and is not afflicted with electronic jitter. In addition to that, the 069 is fully balanced and completely DC-coupled without distorting capacitors in the signal path". Is it snake oil? Not according to my ears....
"I’ve heard no CD player I can credibly describe as "better“ than the 069.“(TAS 09/2008)
“The Absolute Sound” selected the 069 as “CD Player of the Year”.
"Outstanding sound performance in every respect.“ (TAS 09/2008) |
By the way, I use M2tech HiFace on my Mac to output my music to my DAC/CDP. Could that be the problem? Do I need to upgrade it to M2tech HiFace Evo? |
Please read this article.... written by a Weiss engineer
http://www.designwsound.com/dwsblog/hifi-computer-faq/cas-5-cd-ripping-for-mac-itunes/
So I guess, the difference is not due to a "perfect" rip.... as the results from all his "ripping" methods are all identical.
The problem is else where.... here are some Q&A
"(2) Okay, if things are such simple and perfect, every digital source should has the same sounding?
Things are more complex than this
(5) How can this timing information create?
Another name of this timing information is called “Clock signal’. In most digital devices, crystals are installed to generate this timing (clock) signal. A better crystal can provide more accurate timing information. However, we must be careful that the accuracy of crystal does not show the whole picture. The problem most of the time lies on other areas such as power supply, temperature, clock signal path etc.
(8) Does transport mechanism vibration, power supply affect the jitter performance? If they do, then computer must not be a good thing for audio playback.
Yes they can affect the jitter performance"...
So.... I guess ripping is not the issue.... It's the quality of every component in the signal path, from power supply, transport mechanism vibration (I guess this is why burmester 060 uses a modified belt drvie CD system), quality of jitter removal, and etc...
So... even with a perfect rip.... I believe a high quality hi end CD player will still sound better.... since computers has too many internal noise and jitter. "there are too many variables to determine how much jitter is created within a computer".... I guess even with a good DAC, it can not completely remove jitter. |
Wayneker2176,
Daniel Weiss makes exceptional digital kit. He also makes the MAN202 a network transport. Since you seem to be caught up in spending $50,000 on a CD player I would have a listen to his more modest but still very expensive approach.
In the price range you are discussing there are a few manufacturers to look at, but I still say for all out assault, a modified computer with every aspect looked at will do all you need and cost peanuts. This is why it is the END of DAYS for the high end CD player. I would not go back personally.
There are guys modifying Mac minis which seem to be the best Mac option for audio playback. Use FW into a mega DAC. After all most of the music recorded today is recorded and mastered on these same computers... |
Chadeffect
Can you recommend what modification I need to my computer (Mac Pro, might even get a Mac Mini) besides getting Amarra? |
Hi Wayneker,
I think it is fairly simple. A Mac mini, but replace the internal HD with a SSD. I have my mac on a separate isolated electrical spur to my Hifi system and I use a passive mains filter (Audio Magic Stealth XXX) and a nice power cable (VD Master 3.0) on the Mac.
The FW cable is quite a nice one. At the moment I am using the Oyaide FW cable although you can go crazy if you want with the FW cables. I have noticed very slight differences. Not sure its worth going for insanely expensive ones. Better to put the cash in other areas. You can put in extra shielding and damping to go a step further.
Put it on a isolation platform and install whichever software you fancy. I have not experimented with network drives vs USB HDs yet, but I have an external WD 4 TB USB HD. I have this HD and its cables suspended too.
There is a Mac2 Music which is a modified Mac mini and for a sum of money they do most of this and say they modify the operating system and set up.
Have a look around for a DAC that can connect straight to the computer via FW or USB. Most people make one now. If you cant face that then the Weiss int202 is an excellent but expensive interface that plugs into the mac via FW then outputs AES/EBU single/or dual wire and also S/pdif. It can also act as a digital volume control. I used one with my DCS for some time. It was excellent.
I am sure there are others out there that will help. But I have excellent sound and I replaced my DCS transport without any pain apart from the loss of the odd SACD. I put the left over thousands of $ in my bank! |
Wayneker - consider a Mach2music.com Mac Mini. It has all the bells and whistles and you dont need to do anything. I used one of these on Sunday at 2010 RMAF. Big improvement over my stock Mini. This is the easy way if you are not a DIYer.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio |
If you consider the $2000-$5000 budget, computer audio would be a good way to go, but for me and my under-$1000 budget for a head unit, I have to go with a used high-end CDP. I have about 500 CDs in my meager collection, which is growing every week. I would have to buy a laptop and a DAC with the associated cables to get started, even then there is no remote, unless I go with a mac mini, in which case I have to buy an iPod touch. More money. And if you also consider the time investment required to get through all of the potential driver issues, its just not worth it for me.
As for the demise of the CD - if CDs disappeared, I would not be able to grow my collection of old-school Bowie. The advantages if computer-based and hi-res playback are clear, but so little music is available in hi-res, or even lossless format.
I don't think CDs are on the way out anytime soon. The recording industry's entire infrastructure would have to change. The record labels aren't that nimble. Don't take the demise of the brick-and-mortar music store to mean CDs are obsolete, CD sales have just moved to a different venue. I can pretty much find anything I want in 16 bit, 44.1 redbook CD on Amazon. I cannot get everything I want in lossless format online. Not even close. mpeg3, or mpeg4, sure, but who wants that. Ick. |
Wayneker2176,
I completely agree; it is very hard to approach the audio quality of a good disc transport with computer audio (Mac or PC). There are so many reasons why.
I went through almost everything you can imagine in order to match the quality of my highly upgraded Esoteric VRDS-NEO transport with computer audio. It wasn't until very recently to get satisfactory results. But as close as I could ever get a computer to sound to the VRDS, it still lacks the naturalness and top-end refinement of the VRDS. The difference is subtle (to a point where not many can hear it on a blind A-B test) but it is still there.
While others change software and hardware hoping to hear improvement, I change software and hardware hoping to get as close to the VRDS-NEO as possible. What I've learned during this journey is how easy one can get confused with computer audio; real is real, artificial is artificial. :-)
Best,
Alex Peychev |
Thanks all for the input. I will buy Empirical Audio's Offramp when I move and get my speakers. As to what DAC I want to use. I have looked at Weiss int202 but I don't know, since I spend more money on my cd player (Burmester 061), which also has 3 digital inputs. I might keep my CD player and use it as a DAC for my ripped files.... That way... I get to have the cake and eat it too.
However, I am recently contemplating on getting the Burmester 088 or 077 pre-amp with optional DAC module from the excellent reference line 069 cd player by selling my CD player and old burmester integrated amp that I used as a pre-amp.
That being said.... I have audition the Burmester 089 and 069 CD both are an all-in-one player/DAC/digital pre-amp.... The weird thing is.... even though those 2 CD players/DAC/digital pre-amp use the same DAC module, the 069 sounds so much so much better! I guess it's not about the source, eg a perfect rip, but the ride from end to end signal path. Different path equals different results.
I like the convenience of computer source, and I think, once I get a the 088 or 077 pre-amp with optional DAC module, I would be happy. I think at this price level, I can overlook the difference in sound quality, which I agree, is not very noticeable once you reach certain level.
Now... I just really need to figure out whether or not I really want to sell some Apple stocks to upgrade my pre-amp to 088 or 077 and my speakers from B50 to B80.... An all burmester gears do have the synergies!
Now a completely different question, what would affect the sound more? An upgrade in speakers or an upgrade in pre-amp? |
I have a 089 and my best friend has the 069. The 069 is a 9.9 and the 089 is a 9.65. This is after 3 months of listening. |
Agree, the hi-end CD player and CD's themselves are on the way out.
Hi res downloads will be the absolute future....
regards, |
Saying hi res downloads is the future is like saying fuel cell is the future for auto technology. Not in this life time, Bubba. How many main stream hi-res recrdings are there? Like 2? CD's are here to stay for a long time. And i agree with Wayneker. Absolute SOTA playback is still the CD medium (Burmester and it's upsampling of CD's). And of course the STD that will not go away, the TT.:) |
I don`t believe CDs are going anywhere for a VERY long time. An abundance of available CD disc that`s affordable(Amazon). Red book playback is amazingly good in a high quality setup IMO. |
TV didn't kill the radio after all, did it. I think talk2me has it right, hi-rez is the future, but much further off than we think. And some folks simply like to own something real, not on the cloud. |
As a sidenote, I have read downloads account for only 20% of digital sales. Personally, it took alot more time and effort than anticipated to set-up my digital system to arrive at lifelike playback. I feel the next best direction for my digital system is two-fold:
First, focus future buys on higher resolution disk formats like SACD, Blu Ray Audio, DVD-Audio, HDCD, DTS. Second, move up from my OPPO 981 to the 95 with balanced 32-bit DAC's. I can connect via analog pass-through with the Proceed to connect to the OPPO's 32-bit DAC's.
Except for high resolution multi-channel disks connected via Mogami Gold connectior's, I listen to redbooks through Van Den Huls' glass cables in either 2-channel or 2.1. Glass cables sound consistantly more naturally balanced in my system than the digital coaxial cables.
My pro and speakers allow combining multiple soft-dome tweeters with horns in both multi-channel disk formats, or, a L/R stereo surround mode through all sources. That helps produce a very well-balanced, smooth sound to my ears.
High end downloads, lossless, asynch USB, etc. can solve some digital issues. I feel my personal #1 issue was developing the skills to properly evaluate and set-up a matched system. Impedances must match, inout/output sensitivities, ohms, special internal component settings - there's all kinds of details not mentioned in ads or component reviews.
One final system set-up example that I hope may also help someone - Due to my sub's port noise and no low-cut feature, I was nearly ready to go with REL or JL Audio Fathom until I put my SVS Ultra-13 in the sealed mode for music only. That cleaned up the entire lower-musical sound floor, adding further bloom to the mids and highs.
High end disk players offer a very bright future in my
home.
|
as long as there is a market for a product it will be produced.
it is impossible to predict when the supply will so exceed the demand that the product will become extinct.
thus the answer to the question is conjectural at best. |
Ok, I have been looking into a computer based front end and have decided to stick with a CD player for now. Far too much flux and change with new products for me to jump in. The whole USB thing is my real wall right now. Folks are coming out with HUGE improvements right and left faster then I can take it all in.
Timing seems a little early for me. I still love my CD player!
I get a headache trying to keep up with all the computer based audio turns, twists, software, hardware, improvements, etc... I calm down and relax with my CD player and CD in hand. No, I will wait longer before jumping on this high speed train! |
Exactly where I stand today. Even if the magazines are making an attempt to churn up a new product category for review and possible advertising. It just does not feel like music-servers are ready for prime time, just yet. I think it needs to be sorted out in terms of connectivity standards, music library management software, and made relatively idiot proof for implementation by the average Joe (audiophile) - it just feels like too much work, when it does not seem that way is when I will make a move to hard drive based storage, or possibly cloud based hi-rez stream and play. |
when it does not seem that way is when I will make a move to hard drive based storage, or possibly cloud based hi-rez stream and play I agree with Grannyring and Pubul57. For now I am actually going back and forth between two excellent players, one of which has the capability to play hi-rez DVD-A so I am trying to figure out if I can find and burn hi-rez downloadable music for that player. I have no real desire to change over until the sound quality is at least equal to that of my players. |
I suspect that a hard drive based system into a top flight DAC with good music management software might be at the level of players, at least that what the magazines would have you think, some arguing of the benefits of magnetic versus optical readers for the "transport" function. No I am staying aways because it is just not plug & play and I don't need the headache of figuring it all out, for me a 5-10,000 front end should not require that much thought. Interesting review of the new Olive HD Music Server in TAS this month, a good read on the whole situation written by Cordesman. |
I'll add the Van den Hul optical cables sounded best through my OPPO 981. Yesterday, I added a system-matched Proceed PDT-3. Now, the AES/EBU input sounds best. The new transport is also connected with a Van Den Hul optical cable. The VDH cable sounds smoother for extremely poor recordings - about 10-20% of older disks. Either connection sounds much better musically than the OPPOs' digital outs.
As a distant example, consider using a turntables' older 78 RPM needle when playing your best LP's. Changing out to the correct stylus sounds like night and day. I experienced a similiar improvement with this new transport.
It appears that system-matching all digital components together appears to be the most significant factor that I can share with others. |
The following is paraphrased from some email correspondence I had with a close friend of mine:
"...Is the CD format dead? I have just one response: vinyl.
From the moment that (mini)cassettes hit the market, people were predicting the death of vinyl. Yes, vinyl did effectively die as a mainstream medium, but because it has unique sonic qualities; it actually changed and become much more of a niche medium. The death of vinyl was even more complete when CD arrived, or so the magazine articles said in the mid-80s. I think that, over time, CD will also become a niche medium, but it will never truly die because of the universal manufacturing and distribution technologies that underlie CDs (anyone with a computer can create and replicate perfect CD audio copies--something cassette couldn't achieve due to sound degradation), and because they're really, really cheap to make. There's more bang-for-the-buck there than in any other format right now, and it'll probably be that way for years to come (if not decades).
Even if CD were to fall as the medium-of-choice in the US and other advanced economies, it would still be a medium-of-choice in developing economies for years, even decades. It's only been within the last 5-10 years that CDs have even become available in most African markets, and cassettes are still the medium-of-choice in many emerging Central and East Asian markets.
I have no illusions that eventually the American and European markets will hit a tipping point and arrive at a medium-less mass market for musical and video product consumption. But even at that point, the CD will be far from dead, because it's so inexpensive and convenient.
The other thing that will have to evolve is the issue of transactions and payment as relates to licenses. Specifically, look at the cumbersome issues that Google and Apple are dealing with in order to launch their so-called cloud media services; lawsuits are lining up from labels, artists, and individuals regarding the mechanisms and regulations for how they get their share of the licensing pie. CDs, cassettes, and LPs are physical products so tracking--and paying for--each licensed copy is easy and is also the foundation of a huge financial market. Digital copies, and how you ascribe licensing rights for selling, duplicating/copying, and playback are murky law right now. Commercial law around these issues is still rooted in the media of the 1990s, and hasn't really even caught up with the whole Napster-era issues, much less HD downloading. You know how much fun it is trying to move music around different devices in iTunes, even when you own the original CD; no media delivery company (i.e. cloud service) has any substantial caselaw built up around how to define "license" when existing caselaw still largely ties license to a physical piece of media (one CD, one license, one person). By the strictest definition of existing law, you and I are breaking copyright law every time we upload a CD into iTunes, because by the technical definitions of the law, we're creating a new and essentially perfect copy without paying an additional license to the companies and artists who own the original work of art. No one prosecutes that level of the law anymore, but it was an issue no less than 30 years ago when the major labels sued Sony for creating blank/recordable cassettes, the logic being that copying from vinyl to cassette was illegal copying and that the record companies were owed for each tape copy of a vinyl record. It wasn't until the late 1980s that the court decisions established interpretations of licensing law regarding personal use of a particular licensed CD/LP/cassette. However, those licensing concepts are *still* the underpinning of today's media laws. CDs will become niche media, but I've not seen an argument yet that convinces it's a dying format..."
Heath and I have been close friends for 20 years. He has written extensively as a freelance talent for magazines like NME and others. |
Bit perfect downloads are the future and the future is here. Everyone seems to make the assumption that the decline curve of the cd will mirror that of the LP and settle at some predetermined flat line. I don't believe that assumption will play out and further I believe that the cd is essentially a cassete tape:a medium conducive to sharing or taking on the go for the car.....for now. So many new cars now have iPod/iPad adapters and/or USB inputs for thumb drives etc.
If you believe that the physical player will fade away gracefully you need only to look at the high Rez material becoming widely available....you can even download DSD!!!!
The key issue in my opinion is that the artist will actually be able to bypass the corporate music moguls....and take it straight to the people. All they need to do is male a good recording, build a good website and sell their own music direct to the consumer. Instead of making $1-1.50 per unit they will be able to make 10 times more money and still deliver the music to the people for less than we were paying at a brick and mortar store. No one will ever be out of stock and hard to find recordings will no longer be so. Think of all of the terrific musicians who will finally be able to make a fair living! Touring will also return as that will be a material differentiator and marketing tool for the future. I'll bet really good recording studios will actually begin to sprout up as musicians will no longer require major labels to get their product to market. Check out Blue Coast Records.....I had never heard of them and discovered they offer some pretty cool recordings and sell High Rez downloads all the up to DSD quality. Prices will fall just like always but if the world goes high Rez download can you imagine the bandwidth requirements? Wow! |
I can buy cd's 0n Amazon for $2.99 up to $7.99 and play them on my Wadia GNSC S7i and also use it's USB and digital inputs to listen to hi-rez. I have the best of both worlds. |
Funny, I thought cd's were already dead |
CD is the VHS that is now replaced by DVD(putting digital vs. analog aside). If you want to compare, barely anybody will buy the VHS anymore so it is what it is just taking up space with the other very simple and higher quality solutions available today.
We could argue the legal issues are what they are all day and night, but does that mean the 1000 free vinyls I got in mint condition at one point was illegal too? Or just paying a Dollar for a Vinyl is illegal as well?
Copies are everywhere period, but the bottom line only reason CD is "Dead" so to speak or at the end of its days is not my opinion or anyone else, its simply that we can all wake up tomorrow and have easy replacement formats that work as or more efficiently in the ultimate scheme of things, just like flat panel TV's vs. the old ones, nobody is collecting the old ones are they? Of course not when cost and technology plus convenience overtake something like this.
Comparing any of this to vinyl is silly. Its not in the same league as its more a nostalgia play and sound quality issue, Cassette would have been vinyls replacement, but it just is not better, nor while sitting at the house does it matter when it takes an extra 30 seconds to flip a vinyl vs. CD or Auto tape deck reverse play. Plus Vinyl is like a classic car, or a Harley. CD is a cheap mid 80's honda nobody really cares about or will go out of their way to find.
So truth is it comes down to music and where you want it?
In the car, forget CD all together, I don't know one person carrying them around anymore, you have 1000 albums at a finger touch with a Dock in the car now and a full digital backup at home. And back in the day have 100 cd's laying on the seat melting was not that fun anyway!
I still have CD's, but its one in 20 times I might put a CD on because I can hear it in the car anytime. And mostly all my digital at home consists of Hi def Bluray concerts etc...
Beyond that I have no use for the CD plastic itself, accept I will buy it if its cheap enough to convert over to the Ipod or server anyway if its something I don't have or can't have on Vinyl.
Technically its dead, Fundamentally it just does not know it yet. |
