Rumors of CD Demise Exagerated? New Hegel

@tony1954 -- I think it's quite relevant to look at where things were in the past and how they've evolved. Today we have streaming as the primary way of listening to music. The music industry now gets 84% of its revenue from streaming. 82 million Americans have paid music subscriptions and they listen an average of 75 minutes a day (per Midia statistics.) 

And, even in 1977, lots of people just listened to music on the radio which provided a constant flow of hits. In fact, FM was still relatively new at that point and gave better sound quality than AM. I think you also had a lot more music stations to choose from in those days versus all of the talk radio, sports stations and like that fill the radio spectrum these days. 

I'm perfectly happy that CDs and LPs are still available and hope they continue to be so for those who prefer those formats. But, it is also unlikely that either format will return to its former dominance even if they continue to grow. 

By a country mile streaming is the way to go , Non  Wifi 

the key is addressing everythjng from the start , I cannot believe anyone still has a separate modem-router that’s horrible , buy a new combo 

like the Motorola 8702 which has docsis 3.1 the older 3.0 not even close the 3.1 has very good wifi stronger signal ,much bigger processor ,and buffer much faster .

the key is ,ifyou are serious about your digital is buy ,most are 12 v around 4 amp .

on a budget buy little green computer add a decent  5amp T fuse A linear power supply is a must to the router .the best outthere bar none for$750 a steal ,and comes with-a excellent DC cable others are charging $150 inside it has excellent build quality and nothing at $1200 is as as good ,which wehave compared abunch against it . Also a very good Ethernet hub for $600 no brainer the SW 8 

thathas a Talema LPS, a OCXO over controlled clock, low noise regulators , and truly cleans things up .i should add a quality fuse at least a Hifi tuning supreme Copper fuse ,and a decent power cord like the Pangea sig MK-2  around $200,excellent value and fine for a router,and Ethernet hub. For sure Donot go cheap onthe Ethernet cables, or USB , then you buy the best dac you can afford.

I have heard-a bunch ,the T+A 200dac is by far the best dac at $7k a great value I am still saving a few more months I know 8 people online and locally that own one .

leaves the Holo May ,and terminator+ 12th with not much trouble ,and they are very respectable dacs. , we have not found anything even 2 x the cost that was this well balanced, a must audition if it’s in your price range ,and for sure deserves a $1k  power cord . If you want reference streaming ,just like with a turntable you have to go all out to get it right.

It’s called the Viking and I’m pretty sure it only does Redbook CD’s,  but no I haven’t listened to it.

All the best.

A Schiit Urd is on my short list. 

About 10 years ago I walked into a record store in San Francisco (it may have been Virgin but now gone) and asked why there were no CD's there.  The sales guy told me that CD's were dead and that all music was to be downloaded or streamed.   Since then I have purchased the Oppo 193, 203, 205, a Bryston CD-3, an Ayre 5-x (used) and most recently a Nagra CD payer (used) and a McIntosh MCD 350 SACD/CD player (used).  Jay's Audio, Pro-Ject and other more high end manufacturers  have come out with CD transports. I now by my CD's from Amazon, no problem.  I ain't worried.