@jimmyblues1959 "Vinyl and CD are more popular than ever????" Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, just the opposite of what you stated is true. Yes, vinyl and CD may still be popular with old farts like us, for all the reasons you so explicitly stated. However, amongst the young, say, ages 18-40, vinyl and CD are virtually nonexistent. In today’s world, the vast majority of those who represent the future of high end audio, or, music listening in general, stream their music exclusively. Yes, I’m afraid that todays world of high end audio has become more like an exclusive club for more well-heeled senior citizens like us who grew up with and are still clinging onto the old technologies that we still hold so dear to our hearts. And that, in a nutshell is what today’s high end audio represents. High end audio seems to be becoming a dying breeds, perhaps because of it’s inability to embrace and promote the new digital technologies, instead of allowing itself to become dominated by the old and antiquated. Go take a visit to your local high end audio shop, or go out and attend one of the big audio shows, you’d think you were at an old folks convention for the middle age and beyond, Lol. Sad, considering how beautiful and vibrant the world of high end audio was in years past. If there is to be a long term future for high end audio, it must embrace the new digital world, or else it will eventually fade away along with all us old farts. Happy listening.
I Sold my CD Player!!! Streaming sounds so incredible!!!
Several years ago, was the very first time I had the opportunity to hear a very high end, high quality, streaming audio system. Once I heard it, I was smitten, and I knew right then and there that this was me all the way!!! I was absolutely blown away by the handy convenience of the little iPad (or cell phone) used as remotes to control the otherworldly access to a virtual ocean of music via Tidal, Qobuz or downloads. I immediately recognized this new technology as the future of my own audio system, especially with all the new hi rez stuff out there that was now made available. I gave up vinyl when CD came on the scene (yes, I'm an old guy), and, now, perhaps, it would be finally time to retire my beloved CD player. Long story short: What put my streaming audio system over the top, as far as sound quality is concerned, was the assemblage of these core streaming devices-----( #1) A superb DAC, by Ayre Acoustics QX-5 Twenty streaming DAC (#2) An outstanding music server, by Roon Nucleus Plus (#3) An outstanding Audio Switch, by Pakedge Devices (#4) Excellent Ethernet Cables, by Shunyata Sigma. I also utilize numerous other tweaks and filters that further purify the streaming audio signal within my room and audio system. At this juncture in life, I am just mesmerized by the combination of sound quality and convenience that I get through my streaming audio system. I'm also happy and pleased to report that, I don't miss my old beloved CD player one bit. Happy listening.
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Really? Sounds like rationalizing to me.
Here's a way to deal with proper compensation for artists but some will complain about having to pay more for the service by raising each stream to a whole penny! Don't forget that Sean Parker started it all with Napster as a way to steal royalties from musicians and is celebrated as a hero for doing so. We've become so accustomed to this model that it's accepted as normal, which would explain a lot of things. Whenever I browse and come across something I like, I buy a CD, which the artists really appreciate. All the best,
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In the real world, working musicians have to market their own CDs (or vinyl) at shows or on sites to justify the cost of those things, and nobody (or nearly nobody) makes much money selling physical product. The value of streaming is to advertise yourself and maybe entice somebody to come to a show. If you're actually good (many aren't) you better hit the road hard and long until you can sell out little room and get some actual bucks. Recording deals just ain't the way as they generally saddle you with huge expenses and often take your control away. That's simply how it is. |
Music streaming = 84% of music industry revenue Spotify subscriber count = 700+ Million Apple music subscriber count = 200+ million Bandcamp: 180+ million Soundcloud: 140+ million Youtube music = 100+ million Amazon music: 82+ million Sirius XM: 33+ million Deezer: 10+ million Pandora: 6+ million Napster: 5 million Tidal = 2 million Qobuz = 200k etc Number of vinyl records sold in 2023: 49 million Number of CDs sold in 2023: 38 million
Such is life, it appears.
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@wolf_garcia +1 I can agree that many artists receive too little compensation. But lets imagine a world without streaming where record companies control the marketing and promotion of artists they chose to work with. So, you're a beginning artist, who's going to market, promote, press hard copy for you! Nope, you better have big bucks behind you if you're independent of the record companies.
Don't delude yourself there was some golden age for artists in this country. Just last night I was listening to Randy Burns, acid folk artist from NYC from back in the 60's, in the vein of Pearls Before Swine, both on the legendary indie label ESP. These guys never made a buck, were hardly heard, sad, sad, sad. And I can say this about tons of both old and contemporary artists I've only found because of streaming. Did all those bebop jazz and blues musicians benefit from the old ways, nope. And how about all the musicians who couldn't even get signed to any label, they die and/or leave music without anyone other than a few close friends getting to hear their music.
I mostly despise hard copy business model these days, how about the thousandth release of some Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan or any of a hundred old artists, albums selling for high dollars. Just how much money do you think average consumers have to spend on music, their entire monthly budget could be used up on a single album. The hard copy way of doing business is obsolete, only a few artists benefit at all.
Streaming and live performance/marketing will be the only business model going forward for vast majority of artists. It will be up to artists and consumers which way it goes in regard to remuneration.
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