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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
audio2design
1,351 posts
 
How can you be price gouged on a non essential discretionary spend?  MFG cost for intellectual property is meaningless.

Consumers were price gauged with the cost of a CD. It cost the label about $1.50 to manufacture a disc including packaging.

jpwarren58
618 posts
 
Comparing the music of the last 60 years to "Classical" is a bit disingeous. Music survives due its inherent quality not the quality of its recording.
My question is the hybrid solution to digital "sound" the introduction of tubes in the pathway? 
Vinyl cannot be the end all technology, despite its recent resurgence. Plus not sure most vinyl users get the same experience as those with uber systems. My vintage Thorens needs some upgrades to possibly equal my Tidal experience.
jchiappinelli's avatar
jchiappinelli
116 posts
 
I have been adding to my CD collection by going to thrift shops, flea markets, and bookstores that carry used CD's. It's kind of like treasure hunting. I almost always return with 10 or more jazz CDs from top flight labels like ECM, Verve, Blue Note, etc and rarely pay more than $2-$3 each. Nice thing about CDs is that I have never had one that was unplayable because of condition. 

J.Chip
audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85
2,017 posts
 
I have records bought in early eighties as a young man and none of them have developed more pops and clicks, that is a bunch of bull. It is all in how they are stored and cared for....those records are as pristine as when I bought them all those years ago. 
scott22
242 posts
 
Well I just bought 650 CDs in pristine condition for.30 each Telarc, Sony Classic, Deutch Gramophone, London, recordings of all the classical big guns performed by the big guns.
I Have had a similar event with Jazz CDs picked up 100 CDs at a dollar each from a guy who owned a music store.
All I know the CDs sound great to me. Some day I'll get into streaming not yet I gotta catch the "A train".  
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