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What am I missing?

When discussing streaming we often hear the quality achieved by streaming compared to "cd quality". "Cd quality" seems often to be the standard by which streaming is favorably compared while cds have at the same widely fallen into disfavor as a medium. If "cd quality" continues to be a quality standard by which we judge streaming services -which it appears to be- why exactly do we hold cds in such disfavor? More sophisticated dacs can always be employed with cd transports as they are with streaming. I understand the convenience and storage issues with cds but I also understand that with streaming you will never own the music which you do with cds. This becomes even more unclear to me when considering the resurgence of vinyl and the storage and convenience issues involved with this medium. I don't believe the music industry ever wanted us to own the music we listen to but rather preferred we only rent and pay for that music each time.

128x128pmiller115
bigtwin's avatar
bigtwin
1,205 posts
 

There is a very good 6 part (?) series about the creation of Spotify called The Playlist.  Well worth watching.  Sheds a lot of light on how streaming came to be, where the money actaully goes and how little the artist is being compensated.  Check it out.  

nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,885 posts
 

It all boils down to how you run your business. I've bought CDs from European labels that charge around €12-15, and about €9 for the digital download version and some even have a MP3 category for less, along with an album version, usually for around €19-21. So, yes, the artist still can make money the old fashioned way as it all depends on one's morals and ethics, and for some artists, this is their only avenue for getting their music out and they count their blessings as the major labels won't touch them. It's kind of like buying things on Etsy instead of Amazon.

If all artists demanded it, then things could change but all the world is doing is saying goodbye to the old boss and hello to the new one and depending on country of origin, they are stuck with the goofs in charge.

The more successful artists can tour to make old fashioned killer earnings but then the fans have to deal with jackholes like Ticketmaster. Not every artist can do that. 

All the best,
Nonoise

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,767 posts
 

I have about 1600 CD’s and about 1700 ripped CD’s on a NAS. There is a convenience in using the NAS, but the sound is about the same. I just started streaming 6 months ago and am currently using Amazon Music HD. The quality of their music is all over the place! Some tunes that they say are in high res sound horrible when compared to the CDs that I have.

After the holidays, I’m going to do the Qobux and Tidal trials and see/hear what the difference is.

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,767 posts
 

@jerryg123 

I am enjoying the heck out of the cheap prices on CD's

Last year went to a multi family garage sale. They had boxes and milk crates of CD’s. After I started looking through the third box, the guy comes up to me and asked me if I’d buy them all. I asked “How much” and he said $150. After a few more minutes I bought the lot. 1100 CD’s.I kept around 100 and gave the rest away. So I ended up paying $1.50 a disk!

jtcf's avatar
jtcf
1,620 posts
 

I've got some MOFI and AP discs that are selling for $100 apiece now..I think I'll hang on to mine and probably acquire more at garage sales too:-)

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