The awful truth about CDs, do they have the same shelve life as LP's ?


The answer is properly not. Recent studies have shown that the chemicals used in their manufacture of CDs have reduced their life expectancy to ten years, not all but many, as per Paul Mcgowans email. The suggestion was given that if you have suspect CD's they should be re-copied. But my question is how do you identify these? I can tell you that I have a great deal of LPs and I can play anyone of these with great success and some are 40 years old. This no doubt would give some audiophiles another good reason to hold onto their belief that LPs are the way to go.
phd
    I have many CDs over 30 years old, and have not experienced any aging problems with them. 
I have ripped all my CDs to NAS redundant drives (and now wonder what to do with the boxes of CDs I have) and have hit  a double handful or so that won't read in part or in whole.

My sample size is currently 3,679 CDs.
I have to agree with many above.  I recently transferred my entire CD collection which I began in 1985.  Many treated with Armour All and Green marker on the edges!!!  Of the thousand or so CD's, I had trouble transferring exactly 1 track.  And to be fair, I was able to use a different CD drive and get through that one.  It is easily arguable that CDs are not "perfect sound forever", but certainly not gone in 3 decades!
It's quite possible Paul does not.  Sorry Paul.  If there are problems with polycarbonate plastics after 10 years then I suggest we should all think twice about getting in an airplane and driving our cars.

I have see discs that are not properly stored or have been mistreated (where the lacquer layer is compromised) in high humity climates/locations show signs of deterioration.  But like anything that you want to preserve its about storage and care.