So, What is the Verdict on the Beatles Box Sets?

I can't wait for hi-re downloads. That'll make used cds cheap as dirt!

Untill ss hard drives have greater capacity and lower costs, I'll stick with CD's. I've just had another hard drive crash, that's 3 in the last 2 years.

SS drives also have a limited lifetime and a certain percentage will fail. There is no free lunch.

Hard drives continue to drop in price, currently around $100 for a Terabyte. I spend that much when I take my wife out to dinner. Personally I don't care if one crashes occasionally. I have backups and it is too cheap to worry about.

I agree with Herman. The cost is so low that putting together large HD's with Raid controlers for auto backup is easy.

These new releases are great-sounding. The stereo sounds artificial on the ones I've listened to so far, with instruments on one side and voices on the other. It's tempting to put my preamp in mono mode to listen to them.

But the clarity of the instrumental and voice lines is something to hear. Makes the Beatles sound like the fine musicians they were. Well worth it IMHO, it's a trip.