CDs are in every way better than vinyl records. They are smaller, much higher quality audio, lower noise floor and don’t wear out by being played. The fact that CD sales are behind vinyl is a sign that the world has gone mad. The fact you can rip and stream your own CD media is fantastic because generally remasters are not good and streaming services typically only have remastered versions, not originals. You have no control on streaming services about what version of an album you’re served or whether it’ll still be there tomorrow. Not an issue with physical media.
The vast majority of people listen to music using equipment that produces audio of poor quality, especially those that stream using ear buds. It makes me very sad when people don’t care that what they’re listening to could sound so much better, especially if played through a hifi from a CD player, or using half decent (not beats) headphones.
There’s plenty of good sounding and well produced music out there, but it’s typically played back through the equivalent of two cans and some string. I’m not sure people remember how good good music can sound when played back through good kit.
Vinyl is the best at being vinyl, and if you value that CD’s don’t work for you. If you value CD’s for audio quality, you may as well just get the music digitally. There is no advantage to listening to a CD over the digital file that would be burned on said CD. If you’re into jewel cases/inserts/using CD players then you do you, some folks just enjoy that!
Vinyl is a multiple-step experience that some people value. It’s more visual, takes more time and care, and is overall just a more comprehensive hobby. For some people this is just work, so to them I say “don’t buy vinyl,” because it’s not for them.
Anyone who argues about “quality” and holds vinyl at the top is ignorant about file formats. But vinyl has a distinct sound and process that is unique to the medium. You can’t duplicate it, it has to be vinyl to experience it.
Want me to really piss everyone in this thread off? Any time I get a new record, I clean it thoroughly and then digitize it. I then cut it into “sides“ to host on my Plex server so I can listen to my records in my car/on the move in general.
If it’s a matter of ownership, CDs physically smaller and less fragile, but the digital bits seem to rot over time… does vinyl have a similar problem with longevity if stored properly?