Do you still buy CDs / have you gotten rid of them?
#26
DVD Talk Reviewer & TOAT Winner
Re: Do you still buy CDs / have you gotten rid of them?
I used to buy a ton every month (roughly 1989 through 1995) but the rising prices turned me off, then DVDs came around and my interest in CDs hasn't come back since, even though I've seen some decent prices on them recently. I mainly don't have as much time to listen to them anymore, but it's also a case of having pretty much everything I want and not being into too much new music.
Haven't bought a single MP3 ever, I'd still rather buy a CD- last CD I bought was the new Depeche Mode (on sale for $9.99, an unheard of low price for a new release just a few years ago) though I haven't had time to listen to it- in fact I bought their previous album and haven't even listened to that yet! Music Blu-Rays with multi-channel sound and 3D visuals are FAR more appealing to me right now.
Haven't bought a single MP3 ever, I'd still rather buy a CD- last CD I bought was the new Depeche Mode (on sale for $9.99, an unheard of low price for a new release just a few years ago) though I haven't had time to listen to it- in fact I bought their previous album and haven't even listened to that yet! Music Blu-Rays with multi-channel sound and 3D visuals are FAR more appealing to me right now.
#27
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Do you still buy CDs / have you gotten rid of them?
The only time I buy a CD is if Amazon's wonky pricing makes it cheaper to buy it & get the free auto rip. For example the new Old 97's is $9.49 for the MP3 version. But the CD with free MP3 version is $7.40. Weird.
#29
DVD Talk Godfather
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Home of 2013 NFL champion Seahawks
Posts: 52,456
Received 987 Likes
on
818 Posts
Re: Do you still buy CDs / have you gotten rid of them?
New releases I'll go either way depending on the price. Catalog I tend to go digital except, as mentioned, when the CD is auto-rip and priced lower.
I like some CD packaging but often don't even open it and just use the auto-rip, and that way it's in my Amazon library for use with my Sonos or Alexa. I use Spotify but don't pay for premium so can't use it with those services.
I like some CD packaging but often don't even open it and just use the auto-rip, and that way it's in my Amazon library for use with my Sonos or Alexa. I use Spotify but don't pay for premium so can't use it with those services.
#30
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Do you still buy CDs / have you gotten rid of them?
I think the last 15 or so CDs I bought were like this. Last year around this time I bought a bunch of Iggy Pop and Sonic Youth CDs for about $3.99 a pop and they all had auto-rip, meanwhile just buying the MP3s alone would have been the $9.49 per album.
#31
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Do you still buy CDs / have you gotten rid of them?
I've got several thousand. All catalogued and shelved alphabetically and by genre. I've been at this almost 50 years though. Everything from Christmas to movie soundtracks to Black Sabbath to Sons of the Pioneers. If you ever listened to Theme Time Radio Hour with Bob Dylan my collection is as varied as the show. I probably buy about 100 a year now. I used to buy as many as 10 a week.
This is a lifetime collection. Back in the 70s and 80s I would tape all the King Biscuit and BBC Live shows, simulcasts, etc. When MTV and VHS came along, I ran the audio from cable box to cassette recorder and recorded all the MTV Saturday concerts. Later transferred everything to cd.
I'll select a cd, like you select a movie, and just sit and listen from beginning to end not doing anything else.
This is a lifetime collection. Back in the 70s and 80s I would tape all the King Biscuit and BBC Live shows, simulcasts, etc. When MTV and VHS came along, I ran the audio from cable box to cassette recorder and recorded all the MTV Saturday concerts. Later transferred everything to cd.
I'll select a cd, like you select a movie, and just sit and listen from beginning to end not doing anything else.
#32
DVD Talk Legend
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Palm Springs and Los Angeles
Posts: 23,154
Received 106 Likes
on
95 Posts
Re: Do you still buy CDs / have you gotten rid of them?
After getting a divorce and selling our house, I decluttered, staring at the enormous pile of CDs, I was like nope. Not going to move these- Which I don't really regret. 5% regret. but just not worth the hassle
#33
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Do you still buy CDs / have you gotten rid of them?
My CD purchasing/collecting has exploded over the last year and a half. Primarily movie soundtracks which was my main musical love as a kid.
As is the case with a lot of things that are geared towards adult collectors now, the people producing them are grown up fans of the format and material as opposed to just corporate drones putting out product. The care, passion, and attention to detail that goes into producing these release are clearly evident, and that's gotten me hooked.
I went from buying maybe one CD every several years to well over 300 in just the last 18 months. I just got off another large order (17 discs) with Intrada and will probably place yet another smaller order before their current sale is up.
As far as collecting them goes- there are a few favorite titles that I want to keep around even though I will probably never need to touch the physical disc ever again. But the packages are just too damn nice. They almost always use iconic key art, as well as including extensive liner notes in well illustrated booklets. For a film I love, it's just a compact, beautiful little package to have.
However I would like to narrow down that core collection to a specific number, just so I don't start hoarding again. Maybe limit it to 100 titles and then cull from those if/when I add anything new. Most of the stuff I pick up at this point is destined for the sell pile after I rip it. And to hit on another question from the OP- I would much rather have the physical disc and rip it myself, than to just take a download. On good gear I do feel like I can hear a slight uptick in quality. Not large, but it is there (to my ears). For most stuff, if I can get a good rip and then sell off the disc, I've essentially gotten a high quality download for slightly less than the going rate (after you factor in the usual slight loss from the resale). The majority of stuff I really don't feel a need to own physically- but I do want a high quality copy of it.
And that's another great thing about CDs now, as opposed to BD/DVDs- Amazon hasn't changed the rules yet on reselling them. General music might be a tougher proposition, but soundtracks are still quite niche and appeal to an older demographic that isn't as hung up on downloading- so selling them off is still somewhat of a viable way to subsidize new purchases.
As is the case with a lot of things that are geared towards adult collectors now, the people producing them are grown up fans of the format and material as opposed to just corporate drones putting out product. The care, passion, and attention to detail that goes into producing these release are clearly evident, and that's gotten me hooked.
I went from buying maybe one CD every several years to well over 300 in just the last 18 months. I just got off another large order (17 discs) with Intrada and will probably place yet another smaller order before their current sale is up.
As far as collecting them goes- there are a few favorite titles that I want to keep around even though I will probably never need to touch the physical disc ever again. But the packages are just too damn nice. They almost always use iconic key art, as well as including extensive liner notes in well illustrated booklets. For a film I love, it's just a compact, beautiful little package to have.
However I would like to narrow down that core collection to a specific number, just so I don't start hoarding again. Maybe limit it to 100 titles and then cull from those if/when I add anything new. Most of the stuff I pick up at this point is destined for the sell pile after I rip it. And to hit on another question from the OP- I would much rather have the physical disc and rip it myself, than to just take a download. On good gear I do feel like I can hear a slight uptick in quality. Not large, but it is there (to my ears). For most stuff, if I can get a good rip and then sell off the disc, I've essentially gotten a high quality download for slightly less than the going rate (after you factor in the usual slight loss from the resale). The majority of stuff I really don't feel a need to own physically- but I do want a high quality copy of it.
And that's another great thing about CDs now, as opposed to BD/DVDs- Amazon hasn't changed the rules yet on reselling them. General music might be a tougher proposition, but soundtracks are still quite niche and appeal to an older demographic that isn't as hung up on downloading- so selling them off is still somewhat of a viable way to subsidize new purchases.
#34
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Do you still buy CDs / have you gotten rid of them?
I haven't bought a CD in, probably, five or more years.
I just don't give a shit about new music to want to spend money on them. Ten or more bucks for an album I might listen to once all teh way through just doesn't seem like a good deal. Very little released in the past twenty or so years holds my interest, and I keep going back to the stuff I loved as a kid through y college years.
I love Metallica, but I'd rather listen to KEA, RTL, or MOP again than HTSD.
Everything is up on youtube for free anyway, so if I want to check something out I'll just go there.
I just don't give a shit about new music to want to spend money on them. Ten or more bucks for an album I might listen to once all teh way through just doesn't seem like a good deal. Very little released in the past twenty or so years holds my interest, and I keep going back to the stuff I loved as a kid through y college years.
I love Metallica, but I'd rather listen to KEA, RTL, or MOP again than HTSD.
Everything is up on youtube for free anyway, so if I want to check something out I'll just go there.
#35
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Re: Do you still buy CDs / have you gotten rid of them?
Wife and I tend to go to the used CD store and buy either $1 titles (that tend to be the 80s/90s country that we both love) or buy blind bags of 10 CDs and pray for a couple good ones.
The only new music I'm into is country and country is still very singles oriented. I buy my one favorite band's new music on vinyl, then the rest I just throw the songs I like from SiriusXM onto a Youtube playlist.
The only new music I'm into is country and country is still very singles oriented. I buy my one favorite band's new music on vinyl, then the rest I just throw the songs I like from SiriusXM onto a Youtube playlist.
#36
Re: Do you still buy CDs / have you gotten rid of them?
I still buy CDs and I haven't got rid of any. I do buy songs every so often from iTunes, but going to the record store and sifting through all the different new and used CDs in different genres is the best.
#38
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Do you still buy CDs / have you gotten rid of them?
I just bought 4 today.
Dropped off three boxes of books and household stuff at the thrift store, and I always talk a look inside (usually looking for board games - they had none.)
But I got 4 CDs - three country and a Disney soundtrack - for .49 each.
Dropped off three boxes of books and household stuff at the thrift store, and I always talk a look inside (usually looking for board games - they had none.)
But I got 4 CDs - three country and a Disney soundtrack - for .49 each.
#39
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Do you still buy CDs / have you gotten rid of them?
I still listen to and buy CDs. I must have close to 2000 by now. I have a 6-disc CD player on my stereo and load it up to listen to while I work. (I work at home). Its great finding obscure classic stuff (rock, r&b, country) at my local Salvation Army every week for 50 cent to $1 each!
#40
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Do you still buy CDs / have you gotten rid of them?
Last CD I bought was by Frank Steiner Jr. ~ Touching Silk (new age), probably 7 or 8 years ago, it's the perfect cruising music. I've had that same music playing in my car since I bought it, made copies of it for my wife and me, we both enjoy it every time we go somewhere.
#43
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Do you still buy CDs / have you gotten rid of them?
I only buy CD's for the music I love so that's pretty much all I buy but some of my bands are now releasing digital copies only. New music is terrible these days and you know it is when the generation growing up with it agrees.
#44
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Do you still buy CDs / have you gotten rid of them?
I still buy CDs.
Storage is a pain, but the albums I buy tend to be albums that work best as a whole rather than a collection of songs, and more often than not, it's WAY cheaper than buying digitally, iTunes or whatever, and that's to say nothing of sound quality. I still have a CD player in my car (along with a USB port) so I can play whatever I want too.
I get why people don't want the physical items and would just rather stream everything through their devices, and it is tempting, but that shit just devalues the music to me, and I prefer CDs and vinyl, because I actually like my music and prefer it presented to me in the best manner possible, even if storing it might be a pain.
Storage is a pain, but the albums I buy tend to be albums that work best as a whole rather than a collection of songs, and more often than not, it's WAY cheaper than buying digitally, iTunes or whatever, and that's to say nothing of sound quality. I still have a CD player in my car (along with a USB port) so I can play whatever I want too.
I get why people don't want the physical items and would just rather stream everything through their devices, and it is tempting, but that shit just devalues the music to me, and I prefer CDs and vinyl, because I actually like my music and prefer it presented to me in the best manner possible, even if storing it might be a pain.
#45
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Do you still buy CDs / have you gotten rid of them?
I still buy CDs occasionally. The decision tree goes something like this for albums I want:
Buy the vinyl if it's available and isn't exorbitantly expensive.
If not vinyl, buy the CD if it's less expensive than the digital download and rip it immediately.
If not readily available on physical formats or is considerably less expensive digitally, buy the digital download.
I listen to MP3s/streams quite a bit, especially since my car supports MP3 via USB, but I don't really feel like I "have" an album if I only have the digital download so it is not my preferred format for purchasing. I am not the target market for subscription streaming as that feels even less like I'm engaging with an album in any kind of meaningful way.
Buy the vinyl if it's available and isn't exorbitantly expensive.
If not vinyl, buy the CD if it's less expensive than the digital download and rip it immediately.
If not readily available on physical formats or is considerably less expensive digitally, buy the digital download.
I listen to MP3s/streams quite a bit, especially since my car supports MP3 via USB, but I don't really feel like I "have" an album if I only have the digital download so it is not my preferred format for purchasing. I am not the target market for subscription streaming as that feels even less like I'm engaging with an album in any kind of meaningful way.
#46
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Do you still buy CDs / have you gotten rid of them?
New releases I'll go either way depending on the price. Catalog I tend to go digital except, as mentioned, when the CD is auto-rip and priced lower.
I like some CD packaging but often don't even open it and just use the auto-rip, and that way it's in my Amazon library for use with my Sonos or Alexa. I use Spotify but don't pay for premium so can't use it with those services.
I like some CD packaging but often don't even open it and just use the auto-rip, and that way it's in my Amazon library for use with my Sonos or Alexa. I use Spotify but don't pay for premium so can't use it with those services.
#47
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Do you still buy CDs / have you gotten rid of them?
I wonder if in 10-20 years CDs will make a resurgence like vinyl did, with people re-discovering their superior qualities of better sound, no background noise and durability? ...
#49
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Do you still buy CDs / have you gotten rid of them?
This is the golden age of cheap CDs and a dream for real music lovers if you know what you are doing. There is a lot of music that likely never escapes the format. Streaming services are terrible for out of print material and stray b-sides that often got released on deluxe CD editions.
The only thing I worry about is the availability of new albums on CD. Some younger-skewing acts are now skipping CD releases.
The only thing I worry about is the availability of new albums on CD. Some younger-skewing acts are now skipping CD releases.
#50
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Do you still buy CDs / have you gotten rid of them?
I've been trying to move a lot of my CDs onto my computer and into iTunes, and I've got all that I've done so far backed up on a jump drive.
My quandary is that some albums, like Pink Floyd's The Wall, for instance, segue all or certain songs together. When they're broken up into individual tracks, they start and end weirdly, and if I'm listening to the entire album sequentially, there are annoying pauses between the tracks that disrupt the intended flow of the music.
Does this not bother those of you who are going all digital, or have you found some miracle work-around so that this doesn't occur?
My quandary is that some albums, like Pink Floyd's The Wall, for instance, segue all or certain songs together. When they're broken up into individual tracks, they start and end weirdly, and if I'm listening to the entire album sequentially, there are annoying pauses between the tracks that disrupt the intended flow of the music.
Does this not bother those of you who are going all digital, or have you found some miracle work-around so that this doesn't occur?
Last edited by rbrown498; 04-18-17 at 03:35 AM.