2. misc-audio
  3. 1029031587

What will become of my beloved CDs?

I have nearly 2000 CDs (DVDA, SACD, etc) and am very fond of them, or at least the music that is on them. However, it seems that music distribution is going to someday soon be totally on-line through downloads (True? When?). So, when most all of the music on my CDs is available in higher-quality on-line downloads (with artwork, I'm sure), what will become of my CDs? Will they be the shiny-silver equivalent to 8-Track tapes? Or, will they become a novelty and collectable? Should I seel them ASAP?? Any economists here???
bday0000
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,786 posts
 
@glupson - If you're buying a new player, for the long term, make sure to purchase a spare laser mechanism or two.
glupson
7,842 posts
 
dweller,

You are absolutely right. I wonder how much do spare ones even cost. Must be a big chunk of the whole machine. I do not see myself using it that much so I was hoping it would last as long as my ears will. So a few decades, give or take. Do lasers and whole mechanisms deteriorate even when not used? Some sort of "death chip"? I was thinking about one of Luxman SACD players. 
muzikcosc
1 posts
 
Chord DAVE plus Blu2. Your CDs will be reborn!
inna
7,296 posts
 
Streaming is not owning, consumer grade computers are junk and break often. This is not currently a hardware for audiophiles. One day, probably. How long are you going to live ? Keep all the discs you like, and records and tapes and 78s and 8 tracks and whatever. You do need great digital front end to make them sound, well, not bad.
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,786 posts
 
@glupson - A new Laser mechanism will be in the $50-$100 range (just don't buy an Esoteric drive -you're talking real money with these). With average use (2-3 hours a day), a Laser will last 10 years or so. The problem is, they may not be available in ten years.
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