Coping in an Age of Uncertainty

it is both gratifying and frustrating to see that the thread i started in february 2001 remains relevant. for me: i've yet to invest in anything other than redbook and lp frontends, deciding to wait for the inevitable migration of high quality audio media to hard disk. if i live long enough.

I pondered this briefly last year and decided that it's going to take so long for Sony or whomever to successfully launch a new format, it's safe to upgrade your CD player. I was more than satisfied in buying a McIntosh CD player, which make CDs sound like records.

Why does one format have to win? When I upgraded my CD player 2 years ago I was dying to buy a high-end universal player, LINN, MF, SIM, etc were all getting ready to blow me away. Unfortunately, for the most part all I could buy was re-masters of many of the titles I already owned. Without the music I want what is the point in a new format?

I decided to spend 2K on a nice redbook player and 500 on the dreaded iPod. Now two years later I would still do the same. I travel for work and I've gotten huge enjoyment out of having a big percentage of my favorite titles in my collection anywhere in the world anytime I want it. I've tried both ACC and loss less encoding. Given that I listen to my ipod on planes, trains, and automobiles, any loss in quality by going to ACC is indiscernible given the environment I use it in. Should I set a turntable up on my lap in 22C with a packed plane? With the way it's going the needle is probably considered weapon in the security line :^) Do I use ACC at home? Well yes.. not in my listening room but in my workshop, at the pool, and in the kitchen.

The point is that in today's world there is no one "right answer" we are far too mobile. I have two cars, each is for an entirely different purpose and do their job well. Why should one music format be enough?

It's no mystery... the titles will follow the mass market. In the 50's HiFi was the hot new thing, today it's HDTV and soon "HD" DVD. In the 50's people worked till 5 had dinner at 5:30, watched 1 or 2 shows on a regular basis and read a book or the "high tech people" listened to the stereo.

Today, most people are looking for convenience in the audio not higher res. Alternative to the mass market will alway be there, the choices will just be more limited. In the end all formats are good for what for what they do well... Embrace all the ones that work for you.

For me, the nature of the uncertainty has shifted. After investing good money to have my SACD player modded, I now feel that what I really want to accomodate in my system is a hard drive as a source. This may have me going back to a separate DAC, which I'd really prefer not to do. I'd like to see some of the new breed of universal players support digital in, so that they not only play all discs but can handle hard disk input. Now *that* would be universal.

I think the hard disk as a source is an absolute freight train, which the high end needs to embrace.

Some goners are saying get SACD, a top player is only $1500 and it will sound as good as a Wadia 850

the SACD players are going to get better and a lot cheaper because Sony are not trying to make money out of selling you the player, the real prize is your music collection,

Its 25 thousand dollars to convert your existing 1000 cd collection to SACD but more importantly you are locked into their new format for all your future music purchases.

Look at how many people ditched vinyl and over the years have gradually replaced titles they used to own with inferior cd copies,this is what the new format companies want you to do again.

I havent owned a record player for 25 years but I got one recently because there is so much music available for only a few dollars a copy

Imo it might be less than 5 years before music can be downloaded and replayed at the quality levels we have from todays formats and new cds SACD or whatever will go into decline but imagine how many cheap cds there will be when everyone switches to the new format.

The Major music companies have done nothing in the past to endear themselves (quite the opposite)so I for one will not be buying into their latest formats for a very long time,my only regret is for the artists ( but did they get a good deal? )
So for me its spend aprox 3000 on a cd player or dac transport get SACD quality playback from my existing redbboook collection and keep collecting vinyl and CD
As was said previously only when I go to the record shop and the vast majority of music is not available is it time to switch formats but then bricks and morter stores will also be obsolete,Tupperware style music parties anyone ?