The cost of LP's and CD's - an observation


Back just before CD's, Albums were usually around $6-8.00, cutout less, double albums a bit more. When CD's first came out they were 'premium' items and cost $10-15.00, slowly the prices for CD's came down and records slowly all went down to a buck or two then disappeared. Now it's reversed, CD's are a few bucks, new Albums are usually around $15 to 25.00. (I didn't figure out the inflation rate, someone else can add that in) . And those cutouts can now be worth a small fortune. I just thought this reversal was interesting. Of course with Streaming, music of any quality is very cheap.


128x128deadhead1000
bimmerman 1000% with you, nicely said!

glupson, yes there actually has been a more fun year than 1983 or 1984, that would be 1985 actually:)

Great topic and great discussion. This just personally hit home for me as I just got my hands on an old Pioneer PD-F908 101 disc cd carousel. Back in the day this exact unit is how I listened to music. I needed the carousel as I have a very wide range of taste so multi disc storage and playback is a necessity! after a 15 year hiatus (divorce forced me to sell all my gear) I just got back into it. So I started as close to where I left off as I could (in my current system Dynaudio Audience has been replaced by Evoke, Rotel RMB1095 has been replaced with Simaudio Moon Titan 5 channel). However they don't make carousels anymore. So my cd collection did me no good. Streaming just isn't for me, so I used my iPhone connected to Audioquest Cobalt to try to get "cd quality" sound. It was great sound but not like I remembered. Could the difference be the cd player, could that be what was missing? YES!!! Since connecting this unit it has brought back what was missing! I am smiling like a little boy every time I listen to all my old cd's (and some new ones)! So for me I don't care what any new piece of gear states the only way to get "cd quality" sound is with a cd player!!!
I tried playing vinyl in my car, but every speed bump I hit or hard braking I had to do caused the tonearm to jump around wildly. Never again. CDs only in the car, which makes them much more useful than vinyl. 
I have been buying CD's on that auction site for a few months. It is my observation that CD prices are now slowly ascending. The price of vinyl is pulling them up. Slowly, but surely.
This was my exact thought in Best Buy the other day. When cd’s first came out I was still buying albums due the cost difference. Now it has done a 180 and don’t know why. IMO the industry must feel that us old farts who still have turntables must have money and will just pay up. I will guarantee you that not a single person under the age of 50 is buying albums. This is obvious when you look at the titles they are putting to vinyl. I will continue to look through the bins at the antique shops. Still searching for “eat a peach” in good condition.
Check out this graph sgreg1. A lot of younger people do buy vinyl, but keep in mind this graph is bought at least 1 album, not the total bought.  Over 55 are buying more than ever, perhaps a grasp at youth :-).   The group 45-54 bought less in 2019 than 2018.  This would be the first group who grew up with vinyl, but quickly replaced it early into adulthood. They don't have quite the attachment. Younger buyer are buying, but no real growth.


https://www.statista.com/statistics/1008779/vinyl-record-buyers-us-by-age/