What will become of my beloved CDs?

In the future, you won't own recordings at all. You'll subscribe to a service that allows you to download any music you want, at any resolution you want, any time you want.

As for your CDs, there will always be players around, but don't expect much of a market for vintage CDs the way there is (or was, since the market is changing) for vintage vinyl. There is nothing about an old CD that will make it more desirable than a download. (Excepting, of course, those inevitable rarities that aren't available for download.)

As for that hard drive, you can plug a 20-gig iPod into your car stereo already. However much disk space you need, you will have some day.

bomarc,

If you, by any chance, still roam Audiogon forest please read this thread again. Pay special attention to your post from, to the day, 16 years ago. What a vision.

+1 pbb! Physical media will always have some future value! Even ancient 78's have their fan collectors! I'm keeping and using my CD's. I refuse to believe the hype that Hi-Rez streaming is better! Redbook recording and playback fully satisfies the Nyquist theorem!

The capacity of humans for self-delusion is unlimited - Mr.Spock

On Friday I won at auction from Amoeba in LA 13 CD's for $8.90 + shipping! Including a Miles Davis Birth Of The Cool RVG for $1.80!!! All from my home via my smartphone!