The CD player is dead.......

Pettyofficer - I don't know if music or computer industries are going to do anything with CD format. My impression is that they don't care. I like CDs and buy them but use computer server just for the convenience. I use Apple Lossless format (ALAC) and program that can convert any existing format (except SACD) and most likely future formats. I have two backups and they tend not to fail when in storage.

No matter how loud we scream for quality - nobody listens. CD sales are lower since CDs are way too expensive. Many people buy MP3 downloads instead for less. Also, as I said before, 90% of customers don't care about quality. I don't like it - just stating the fact. Even mixing and music compression suggests targeting boom boxes or small stereos. My small radio at work has hard time playing piano when it brings energy in lower registers. Can you imagine what would happen if they would record it without compression (piano has about 96dB dynamics). It almost calls for two separate formats - one for popular use and one for audiophiles - or if compression is necessary why it is not built into radios or TV sets. I had big hopes for SACD but they killed it.

I don't know what's going to happen but I suspect that they not going to make 24/192 Master Tapes available for downloading in view of extended piracy in many countries. CD player won't die - just computer playback of CDs will be more popular.

Funny, I was just wondering what happened to PettyOfficer. Back, and in good form! :) John

Onetwothreego: A well designed dac will not have jitter issues either.

I would put it that a dac that has extremely good jitter REJECTION capability will not have jitter issues.

An example being the Benchmark dacs, which are pretty much immune to jitter that may be introduced by the source component or by the interface between the two components. However, not everyone likes their sound.

Alternatively, if the design of the dac does not provide essentially complete rejection of jitter on the incoming signal (and most designs do not), then impedance matching, cable selection, cable length, the noise environment, the risetime and falltime of the output of the source component, the inherent jitter levels of the source component, and various other factors all become significant.

None of those factors are relevant with a one-box cdp.

Regards,
-- Al

Kijanki-I don't know what it is with Computer Music Storage types. This complete obsession over 90% of Customers don't care about quality. What is it with this compulsion of many people buy MP3 Downloads for less? What is it with the desperate behavior of praying for the demise of the CD? What the hell did the CD ever do to you, were you rapped as a child by a CD? Anytime anyone challenges your 90% premise, it's like hitting a nerve on a rabid dog! Why should I CARE about those who DON'T CARE about Sound Quality? What makes these people experts on when and what Formats should be embraced or eliminated?
If they had two brain cells to rub together, they would keep BOTH Formats available to keep their options open. I thought we used to use re-writable optical Disks AS back-up! Lets follow the ultimate conclusion of the logic and reason of this 90%, shall we? Someone comes out with a new Format next year with half of the performance of MP3, but it Downloads faster thereby more convenient. The following year a new Format that halves the performance again, but still faster and more convenient Downloads. Price remains the same for each, cost to manufacture goes down, Profits Skyrocket, and performance goes further in the toilet if that is even possible. You say that I should follow these clever 90% People over a cliff because it is a fact of life! I say hand them a Darwin award, and tell them that they are on their own. Trust me, no-one is even going to miss their apathetic ass! Do I care what 90% are doing, I have been living in the 10% High End percentile for decades figuring live and let live. Now this 90% THINKS they have the right to cross a line and tell me what Formats I should be listening to. They are clueless, part of a herd mentality, the only thing that they are good for is mass suicide. I, on the other hand, have an instinct for self preservation because I am funny that way. I didn't really want to say this and offend so many People, but you have left me no choice. I do have a tendency to try and get along with people, ah..those that aren't persistent on dragging me over a cliff with them. If I have offended those I apologize. Trust me, your offense will be short lived, so don't worry. The real joke is the Industry that is leading you over a cliff, is placing bets on who goes over first. They call it Profit. You call them your best friends forever. This too will be short lived. Those are the facts! Who do you think you are selling your soul to the Devil, and thinking you don't have to pay up! Wake-up!

Just curious, PO, what recording have you tried to buy that hasn't been available in your desired CD format?

You seem irritated that something has been taken away from you but in spite of your verbosity, I'm not sure what that is.