Ever since I got my Michael Jackson Thriller CD, I’ve been thinking, I have started to prefer physical releases more when it comes to films and music, because it’s nice to have something you own in your hands, lend to a neighbour, and rip to your devices.
With streaming, I’ve cut off some services as I got tieed with the price hikes and removals of specific titles, sure, your music might be lost if you lose your phone and you can just resign in with your account on say, Spotify.
But even those have issues where they can remove the track, with CDs and Blu Ray, it ain’t going away if you keep looking after it.
What are your thoughts on this? Are you big into streaming due to convenience, or do you go physical? Or maybe a bit of both?
Let me know in yer comments!
I’m an old fart, and the minute I can digitize something, I do it. I’ve had thousands of 45s, LPs, CDs, etc, over the years, but most have gone by the wayside.
I still buy physical media, often at gigs, or online, but once it’s ripped it collects dust, seldom to be handled again.
I got caught up in the vinyl revival, so I enjoy collecting that media. But even then, I consider it more of a novelty.
Generally speaking though, I prefer locally stored digital media without DRM over physical media. It’s just more practical.
That being said, I’m glad that physical media exists and hope it continues to be made. Choice is good.
As long as the record is in good condition, I find the sound comperable. I’ve played the same song on a high bitrate digital audio file and on vinyl and I found both equally pleasing to listen to.
I have a Fluance RT80 turntable, and am using the built in preamp. It’s connected to a home audio receiver (Sony STRDH590) with a 2.1 speaker setup (Polk Audio Monitor 60 Series II Floorstanding Speakers and a Polk Audio PSW10 10" Powered Subwoofer). A pretty midrange setup in others words. And I’m no audiophile, so weigh accordingly.
Edit: I realized you asked specifically about streaming. This link https://support.spotify.com/us/artists/article/audio-file-formats/ indicates that Spotify does up to OGG 320kbps/AC3 256kbps which is comparable to my personal audio library. So, statement holds.
Its the best when you buy an LP and get a download code for the album as well.
I listen to LPs mostly when I want music to be the primary thing im doing. There is a whole ritual involved with putting a record on. Whereas, sometimes I just want to listen to something while I’m doing dishes or driving, and then playing an MP3 over a Bluetooth speaker from my phone is just infinitely more convenient.
Nowadays I buy digital music (mostly via Bandcamp but there’s also HDTracks, Qobuz, etc.) & play the music that way. Can also stream my own music library if I want via Jellyfin or other applications.
re: physical CDs, yes I’ve got a ton of those too from before you could buy digital music but have already ripped them. Haven’t had a need to touch the physical discs in years but still keep them in CD binders just in case.
Also not sure if it matters but for me I’m always living in small apartments/rooms so I absolutely avoid collecting physical items, there’s just no space for that.
Physical media can have certain bonuses that digital content cant/wont. Album art, bonus features, easter eggs, etc, but also the analog sound of vinyl.
The main thing I see these days though, is that the content cant be edited, censored, or modified in any way. Locally owned digital content also benefits from this.
I rip physical media and then store it for legal reasons. my nas is much better than trying to find whatener disc.
