I'm glad because I just found 50 albums in the basement I didn't know I still had. It gives me some place to dump them. 30 years ago they were virtually worthless. |
As a side note, I'm a big St. Vincent fan and she's selling her new album on CD, Vinyl, Cassette, AND 8-track! |
No, not dumb at all, bjp9738. I think a lot of people do exactly that. I've listened to a lot of music for the first time through my streamer and then hunted it down on cd and vinyl. The streamer sounds great, and I won't get into an argument about "what sounds better/best," but there is something about ownership, and about the tactile and very visceral experience of going through a collection, removing the disc, and playing it. We're not just ears, and that physical connection you mentioned is, for me and many others, a vital part of enjoying the music. The vinyl revival is at least in part of renewing or establishing for the first time that connection. |
@grannyring “In the end I stopped spinning CDs because I am enjoying all the new music I would have missed if not for streaming. Such a Joy!”
100%. This is the greatest benefit of streaming. I signed up with Rhapsody (now Napster) about 20 years ago when it was one of the first on-demand streaming services launched. Streaming has come a LONG way since then, but what’s remained constant is the exposure to tons of artists and musical genres I didn’t even know existed.
This might seem dumb to some, but often when I find a “new to me artist” on a streaming service, I then start searching to find if any of their titles were released on vinyl. I just like owning something physical, I guess. Makes me feel more connected, invested when I have this chunk of plastic in my hands versus a disk drive of 1’s and 0’s. |
Funny how folks just argue for the medium they are most comfortable with. They all can sound great when optimized. Just enjoy your music in the manner that you are most comfortable with. I happen to stream because today’s streaming gear and technology makes the experience far from computer like. Much real innovation is being poured into this technology right now and the sound quality can be just wonderful. No doubt. Every month innovation is helping to deliver great sound with streaming.
In the end I stopped spinning CDs because I am enjoying all the new music I would have missed if not for streaming. Such a Joy! |
Physical media, lp’s and cd’s are better than streaming any day of the week. You at least own the music, it is all yours forever. Plus, imo, it plain sounds better. Please show me the tubey magic contained in a stream! I’ve listened, its NOT there! Nothing can compare to an all analog lp from yesteryear recorded on tube equipment, its all there, a feast for the ears. I almost forgot cassettes! They can and do sound terrific on the right machine. Play mine on my vintage and mint Aiwa AD F-770 micro-grain dual capstan 3 head cassette deck. A futuristic deck made in 1983....heaven. I even still have and use a mint kenwood minidisc recorder! Lots of fun! Oh, and we must not forget the 5 analog tuners still in use, remember those? Sound fantastic! |
We r spoiled here in developed countries.... most of the world doesn’t have streaming services at all, even countries with good working internet.... of course physical media will be in use and the reason is not it’s better somehow. |
Well I personally love it all. Vinyl is my favorite for the sound and the media but CDs and especially SACDs sound great also in the right set up. And CDs can be had dirt cheap as many are selling them off to go to streaming for 25 to 50 cents for a great title. So they are bargains. I have over 1 TB of lossless music on my computer that I have created from my CDs and other sources. Kind of nice just to put the computer on shuffle when you feel like it. And steaming I do the least but is great for discovering new artists. And I still have a large cassette collection and a Nak for the rough analogue sound for flashback evenings. I did give away all my 8 tracks. But I have been eyeing up some nice reel to reel units lately. So I definitely support diversity of sources as I feed my addiction.
|
@inna6
"
Computers have no substance really " ,, but your using it right now and connecting with like minded people. That has so much value added.
Ya, I'm tire of the "computer" life too but, my world is now surrounded by it so, I embrace it. Now if only I could figure out how to get out of this chair. |
It has been growing for quite some time now and i know why there is no personal relationship with a collection of music on a computer, or streamer, or hard drive, or ipod, or mp3 player. It is just not fun like analog and vinyl is.
|
That's good. I also think people are getting tired of computers everywhere. Computers have no substance really. |
@bjp9738 - I live within a mile of two small shops that are mostly empty mid day so I’ve been hitting them up weekly but I can’t wait to venture further out to see more stores. I live in the Bay Area of CA and there are dozens of shops to see. Soon I hope! |
@varchard - my journey was very similar to yours. I was hooked after my first visit to a local record shop a few years ago. The thrill of digging through the used bins for hidden gems. I’m still blown away that I can find an LP that was pressed 50+ years ago that still sounds amazing today. Pre-covid I was in a record shop about every weekend, sought out local shops when on vacation. Haven’t physically been in a shop in almost a year now and I really miss it. Hopefully again soon. |
I’m one of these people. I’m mid 40s and had records as a kid, then tapes, cds, then pirating mp3s, then buying digital from apple, then Spotify, then Spotify AND Tidal, and finally back to Vinyl.
Coming back to physical analog media feels so good right now. Watching my music collection grow again is so rewarding. I’ve fallen in love with Jazz and I don’t think that would have happened just by streaming. I love going to my local record shops and searching for treasure. I usually buy an arm full of records that I’ve never heard and come home and listen to each album in its entirety. I’m in heaven these days! |
Discovered Disccogs this past year. So far so good. I have had tremendous luck purchasing vinyl from all over the world. Nice way to expand your library. Oh yeah.... Cds as well. Considering the pandemic just about all I purchased was delivered in record time. Nice alternative to "used available from these sellers" |
@anotherbob, "potential sound quality". Now there’s a freighted assertion.
Two things:
- a lot of music remains unavailable on streaming. A lot
- streaming barely pays artist. We need artists. |
Very interesting that many are still utilizing vinyl and/or CD's. I'm sure most know it doesn't compare to streaming use in sheer numbers and potential sound quality, but still give credit where it's due. Along with it I'm sure there's strong sales in analog related hardware, too. All good for the economy. Bravo. |
Good! The market remains strong for physical media! |
Thanks. I've noticed a price hike on used records this year.
|
|
