Where do you believe it is all going? The other recent thread here touches on this issue and seems to generate quite large interest but discusses it with relation to the support for the artist. But where do you see these formats going in the future?
Of a particular interest to me is the fate of the CD format. I own a quite extensive collection of CDs and to a smaller extent collection of vinyls, the latter mostly from the pre-CD era. Do not think I will ever get rid of these. I view the CD format as a perfect medium for the progressive type of music, where even graphics plays important role in the total perception of the album. The graphics part certainly applies (perhaps even more so) to vinyls but when it comes to music, the length, extras ... and yes remasters (!?) CD format (including DVDs and Blu-rays) have no equals. Esoteric reissues and S. Wilson's remasters are perfect examples of this ... even if I am not even sure how many different CD versions I have of KC's - In the Court of the Crimson King ... 4 or 5 plus the vinyl?
The collector in me loves to have the ability to touch, see and feel the physical media. At the time it was quite a feat to move away from vinyls to the new medium which was CD. What year was it, 1985 and Tubular Bells? These many years later still love the format, albeit, absorbing all of the improvements it had gone through sound wise (higher bits and bit rates / remasters) and packaging (digipack, mini LP formats). The latter plays also a role in saving the space required for these.
A lot of people seem to embrace back the vinyl format. Frankly I do not get that. Why would you pay almost a double price for a vinyl of the same (and often more with extras) on CD? Was raised on vinyl and was glad to move away from it. It seems the trend is in reverse right now. Is it nostalgia for older folks or a sort of "nobilitation" for younger people?
The digital format offers a good sound and all but it seems to me almost like a half of experience I get with a CD or vinyl. Not shying away from it and use downloads whenever it is the only option to get the music but certainly it is not my preferred medium.
Your thoughts?
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