The cost of LP's and CD's - an observation

@orpheus10 Its all good. I stream. I got CDs. I got CDs ripped on a server. No reason other than cash to limit ourselves. For me, cash and complexity are the barriers that keep me from vinyl. Not some notion that the other options are better or worse. Its all good.

"No, you think it sounds better to you. That is completely meaningless to other people.."


When we are talking about "High end analog" as compared to routine CD, it sounds better to most people.


In "high end analog" we are speaking of depth of "sound stage", we are speaking of "air" around the instruments, we are speaking of a "holographic sound stage"; that's what I'm speaking of that sounds better to most people, and not just me. But maybe that wouldn't sound better to you.

We are speaking of made up terms and euphonics.

When we are talking about "High end analog" as compared to routine CD, it sounds better to most people.

A bunched of aged audiophiles who grew up with vinyl is not "most people". (I fall somewhat into that group).

Presented with well mastered versions of both, most who did not grow up on vinyl will take the digital version.

But the truth is that most people, no matter their generation, simply don't care enough about fidelity to go further than a good sound bar. The idea of sitting down for a listening session without talking is the purview of what we do on this site, not the masses.

It's like a neighbor I once had who was completely into the video aspect of home theater and who was gushing about a new projector he had installed and interfaced with some complex software. I mean, i enjoyed watching movies and appreciated the picture at his place, but was just as content watching blue-ray on my home system.
Also, there are many, many millennials who have gotten into vinyl; however, even though many intro rigs sound decent, they're going to show their limits. And choosing between Spotify and a sub-$200 vinyl set-up thus becomes a no-brainer.

Speaking of which, how many people under 30 still buy cd's?

Many people, like me, still love their CDs and they can be had very cheaply. Used LPs are ridiculously expensive and prone to defects characteristics of vinyl. Many of the domestic LP pressings were simply awful (Westminster, Angel, Columbia, RCA, etc.) and back in the 70s and 80s we preferred imported pressings like DG, EMI and many exotic import labels. The remasters CDs of these old recordings are vastly superior played on a modern digital system. To me the LP popularity is based on pure nostalgia because messing with a Thorens TT, an SME arm, and a fine cartridge is very pleasurable. I know people who still swear by Telefunken 78s, and with good reason. I am trying to resist a Revox A77 open reel deck, which is really silly but they are great things to have. But digital rules, no question.