Do You Still Play Compact Discs?

Do You Still Play Compact Discs?

  • Yes

    Votes: 132 71.7%
  • No

    Votes: 52 28.3%

  • Total voters
    184

Lampie519

Well-Known Member
Mar 14, 2021
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Hoofddorp, Holland
All CD players use some memory to store data, but not sure if these are effected in the same way.
 

wil

Well-Known Member
Jul 22, 2015
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Hehe sure, Milan, but it's not just the current crop of WBF audiophiles now vs then, but I made my observation also taking into account older discussions on WBF and on other forums, maybe with other participants as well. Ten or even five years ago the analog vs digital debate was able to stir up much more heat than it does now.

Perhaps it's also the fact that digital has gotten better. In the view of analog lovers possibly still not as good as they would like, but good enough to not elicit instant hate anymore ;) -- and good enough even to be used by some of them as an indispensable secondary medium.
In my view, a digital/audio comparison or superiority/inferiority debate is pretty much meaningless and usually prompted by someone needing to belittle digital to further fortify his analog-superior world view. This person's digital audio listening experience is often limited to what he heard at some show 5 years ago, which no doubt was sounding crappy, and all the better to reinforce his tiny world view.

Unless you're listening to the best digital playback has to offer, (which is changing and improving, dare I say, at a far faster rate than analog) you're opinion of digital playback is stuck in the past.

I respect the opinions of people who own, or have heard, both at their best. And what I usually hear from them is that the best analog is still more compelling, but not by that much, and that the delta is often more about "different" rather than "better." And, don't forget, when analog is better, it is often due to the source material not the playback technology.
 

thedudeabides

Well-Known Member
Jan 16, 2011
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Alto, NM
To answer the question if CD sounds better then vinyl we should open a new thread as this will start a big discussion.
There are thousands of posts on this forum on this topic. I assume you are being facetious.
 

microstrip

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May 30, 2010
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Nice observation Al.

Not sure if it’s evidence of some growing maturation and acceptance of a growing more respectful take on the world of differences between us (and or our wisdom in just letting a few of the sleeping dogs lay) or if it’s just of a group tiring of another inevitable groundhog’s day scenario of subjective thoughts and the repetitive senseless wordy brutality of it all :rolleyes:... perhaps there are just some questions that we should not pose ourselves or indeed ask of others :eek:
Surely a little of everything you refer, but I hope mostly because people are slowly understanding that unless they accept to discuss the subject beyond their individual preference there is little to add to the subject.

IMHO we should pose and answer all questions concerning our hobby, as long as it is done in a civilized and respectful way. Unfortunately too many subjects are still taboo in this forum.
 

Al M.

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Sep 10, 2013
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Unfortunately too many subjects are still taboo in this forum.

Like the inadequacy of system videos to show absolute sound quality ;) ?

(Al ducks for cover)
 

rbbert

Well-Known Member
Dec 12, 2010
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Like the inadequacy of system videos to show absolute sound quality ;) ?

(Al ducks for cover)
Or really much of anything about sound quality at all. And that's not even considering the logical fallacies involved.
 

PeterA

Well-Known Member
Dec 6, 2011
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Like the inadequacy of system videos to show absolute sound quality ;) ?

(Al ducks for cover)

Al, That’s pretty funny. Francisco was talking about subjects that are too taboo to discuss. The value of system videos is freely discussed both by the people who appreciate their value and by the people who shout that videos suck. No one claims that system videos demonstrate absolute sound quality. That is a mischaracterization of the position.. It is not a taboo subject which was the point of Francisco‘s comment.
 
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Al M.

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Sep 10, 2013
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No one claims that system videos demonstrate absolute sound quality. That is a mischaracterization of the position.

I know that you haven't taken that position, Peter, but I have seen some wild claims on this forum :oops:.

So which are taboo subjects then?
 

Lagonda

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Feb 3, 2014
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I have no idea. That was another one of Francico’s assertions. I have no idea what he is talking about. You should direct you question to him.

The only taboo subject of which I am aware is politics.
Don't forget sex, religion and covid ! ;) We constantly have to be reminded not to talk about sex ! ;) I could be wrong, maybe it was Tango ! :p Could have been me too !:rolleyes:
 
Last edited:

tima

Industry Expert
Mar 3, 2014
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In my view, a digital/audio comparison or superiority/inferiority debate is pretty much meaningless and usually prompted by someone needing to belittle digital to further fortify his analog-superior world view. This person's digital audio listening experience is often limited to what he heard at some show 5 years ago, which no doubt was sounding crappy, and all the better to reinforce his tiny world view.

No offense but some of this sounds a bit insecure or defensive.

I don't see much here claiming analog is superior nor do I see a reason to denigrate people who enjoy vinyl or digital. Maybe you are getting this from some other audio forum? I have a pretty large cd/sacd collection but for the last few years choose to play vinyl exclusively because I cannot do both media at a high level. I made my choice. I never sold off my vinyl collection when Sony- Philips came along proclaiming perfect sound forever and continue to enjoy playing it. When I do that I don't find myself thinking about other formats or being thankful that I'm not listening to something inferior. Digital is neither something I concern myself about - honestly I don't care about it - nor do I need to proclaim my listening enjoyment superior to another's.
 
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thedudeabides

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Jan 16, 2011
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Digital is neither something I concern myself about - honestly I don't care about it - nor do I need to proclaim my listening enjoyment superior to another's.
Just an observation.. I feel the same about analogue. And I agree with the second part of the above. Best.
 
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rbbert

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Dec 12, 2010
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Al, That’s pretty funny. Francisco was talking about subjects that are too taboo to discuss. The value of system videos is freely discussed both by the people who appreciate their value and by the people who shout that videos suck. No one claims that system videos demonstrate absolute sound quality. That is a mischaracterization of the position.. It is not a taboo subject which was the point of Francisco‘s comment.
Where is the value of system videos discussed? I’m curious because I have yet to watch one that has any useful information. I suppose it is possible that using high quality cameras and microphones one might get an inkling about sound even with YouTube’s 128k or 256k sound, but the typical phone recording is absolutely meaningless re: sound quality (IME and IMO)
 

Lampie519

Well-Known Member
Mar 14, 2021
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Hoofddorp, Holland
It can only be intesting if it is explained why the choices are made and what they think about the pro's and con's of the system at hand. If this person then offered multiple sessions we can then decide to "trust" this info given or not.
 
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wil

Well-Known Member
Jul 22, 2015
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No offense but some of this sounds a bit insecure or defensive.

I don't see much here claiming analog is superior nor do I see a reason to denigrate people who enjoy vinyl or digital. Maybe you are getting this from some other audio forum? I have a pretty large cd/sacd collection but for the last few years choose to play vinyl exclusively because I cannot do both media at a high level. I made my choice. I never sold off my vinyl collection when Sony- Philips came along proclaiming perfect sound forever and continue to enjoy playing it. When I do that I don't find myself thinking about other formats or being thankful that I'm not listening to something inferior. Digital is neither something I concern myself about - honestly I don't care about it - nor do I need to proclaim my listening enjoyment superior to another's.
No offense at all. I probably am a little annoyed and triggered when I come across some attitudes (such as from M. Fremer, for example, who seems absolutely obsessed with a superiority/inferiority world view.). I've also lived through a digital/analog parallel in my professional world of photography that actually had potential economic implications. So, color me sensitive! But, like you, I'm enjoying the deep dive into the music (without thinking about the format.)
 

rbbert

Well-Known Member
Dec 12, 2010
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Reno, NV
No offense at all. I probably am a little annoyed and triggered when I come across some attitudes (such as from M. Fremer, for example, who seems absolutely obsessed with a superiority/inferiority world view.). I've also lived through a digital/analog parallel in my professional world of photography that actually had potential economic implications. So, color me sensitive! But, like you, I'm enjoying the deep dive into the music (without thinking about the format.)
Fremer's public persona (YouTube, Analog Corner, etc) is just that, a persona. When I have spoken with him without an audience present he is much less didactic and opinionated, and has many interesting observations about sound, music and the audiophile world that he would never allow "into print". Remember he has a product to market, and that product is basically himself.
 
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loki1957

Well-Known Member
Sep 19, 2012
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I still play cd's. How else would I be able to listen to Billy Joe Shaver?
 

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