Why Do ~You~ Still Play CDs?


I'm curious why you still play CDs in the age of streaming. I recently got back into CD listening and I'm curious if your reasons align with mine, which are:

  • Enjoying the physical medium—the tactile nature of the case, the disc, the booklet, etc.
  • Forcing myself to actually listen to an album, versus being easily distracted by an algorithm, or "what's next" in my playlist.
  • Actually owning the music I purchase, versus being stuck with yet another monthly subscription.

Others? 

itanibro

Showing 3 responses by upstateaudiophile

I personally find that my CD's sound better than the exact album on Tidal streamed directly through a high-end computer into the same DAC as the CD player. I also spend too much time in front of screens and computers for work, so it is nice to keep that out of my listening room. I like owning the album and the tactile nature of a CD. 

@soix im not sure i fully buy the noise argument. Along those same lines, what about noise from signal transmission within servers at Tidal, transmission to my house etc? The McIntosh CD transport is the shortest and least tampered-with signal IMO. I’ve heard plenty of streamers including on my own speakers (Wilson Audio) at the dealer and to my ears, it’s inferior to CD and vinyl.

I’m surprised more haven’t said CD to avoid additional tech and screens in their listening rooms. Gen Y is now the biggest buyers of CD. For myself, it is so nice to enjoy that time away from phone/computer/tablet and just listen to music. I like to look at the booklet and lyrics on paper too. I’m a millennial fwiw. Too much tech all day for work.