It Looks Like Streaming May Be The Future

Thanks gdnrbob. I’ll try that function but I’ll have to at least stand up every few songs.

@thepigdog ,
I disagee, Spotify has a cool 'Discover' tab that has listed composers and artists that I never would have discovered without it.
I often use Spotify to discover albums and search Tidal to see if they have a highrez version, usually it is the same sample rate.
B

I actually like changing the CD. I have discs that have not been played in years, it's always fun to discover my old treasures. I do occasionally use Spotify. I think it is a PIA to use. Get up out of your chair and change the physical media.

Streaming is just the latest attempt by the industry to achieve their holy grail- a monthly subscription service like cable tv. The problem is that the corporations don't always take care of the artists and once they have you locked into a subscription model, the next step is to start raising prices. Physical medium is simply more rewarding for the listener by offering a complete package of music, artwork, and lyrics to present a total concept to the consumer. Sure, streaming is a convenient way to sample artists, but it will never achieve the satisfaction of a tangible source. I am old enough to have gone through several cycles of this having given 8 "Peaches" crates worth of albums to a friend before I packed up and moved to New York. Then I started replacing my favorite albums in cd format because it supposedly had a better sound and was more convenient for storage. Now the industry wants me to replace my favorite cds by downloading them to a server spending money for the same product once again. I remember the first time I opened the Allman Bros. "Eat a Peach" album and admired the gatefold artwork which became the preferred platform for doobie rolling back in the day. Can't do that with a streaming service. I own an Oppo 205D and was disappointed to hear of Oppo discontinuing their product line because the product quality was a huge bang for your buck. There are simply too many cds in circulation to go away completely. I buy 4 or 5 a month paying $3 to $6 on average. I do burn them to a server in a secondary system mainly for decluttering/wife happiness purposes. However, on my main system, I am the geek that wants to see the art, read the lyrics, see who plays what, and who wrote the music.    

Oppo just announced they are ceasing production of disc players.
 I don't know a single person who still purchases CDs like I do.
It certainly appears that streaming will be the future of listening to music for the vast majority.
The times they are a-changin'.
Sigh...

I like streaming from Tidal hifi,and maybe qbuz sometime this year.
It’s a great way to discover new music,my latest quest is indie bands.

I own over 3TB of music that I locally stream also,a collection of many yrs that I will never give up.

Streaming from Tidal is great when I have somebody over and I may not own their favorite.

Kenny.

There are just some things that are right and some things that are wrong. Trying to describe the differences are futile. Maybe..because of the fact that..."some things are right and some things are wrong".

I think it is important to distinguish between downloading files like HiRez to your hard drive, and proper realtime streaming from the internet as with Spotify, Tidal or Qobuz.
I love streaming. For me it represents the difference between having your own small library of books and access to a large university library that has (almost) all that was ever published. One evening I may sit down for an evening of Bach cantatas, the next day for an evening of Chicago blues or 1960's British pop, or a playlist of music selected by my 19 year old son. It has seriously enriched my cultural experience.
Similarly, do not forget the benefits of internet radio. By now the sound quality of many stations is roughly equivalent to FM (or sometimes even rather better), but you can bring the world into your home. It allows me to listen to almost all Dutch stations, but also to BBC Radio 3, French radio, German radio, NPR from the US, jazz stations form New York, or what have you.

I’m not in this for monetary value, I’m in because I love music and have a kickass system that provides me with hours of listening enjoyment.

Cheers

“Physical media (tape, LP, CD) has monetary value”

LOL.... trying selling that physical media, pennies on the dollar. 

Streaming not only sound better than CD’s but it’s the way of the future and not to mention you can own your streams. Nothing cd quality will ever come close to Hi Rez, DSD or MQA IMHO. No jitter just absolutely crystal clear detailed music.

Cheers 

all things must pass

Good old George Harrison, may he rest in peace.

And, another artist that I have reconnected with through streaming services...
B

Right gdnrbob, no one is stopping anyone from buying anything, but with streaming you listen on your own system as many times as you want before you buy and you can sample so much more music.

The music industry has always had their hands on the throats of music buyers. They have always decided what you hear, what it sounds like and what it costs.

I am sure that I have more Lps, Cds and Cassette tapes than I will have time to listen to before I die. So, except for music that is really special, why should I keep piling up more?

I don’t trust the music industry either, but all things must pass, as some musician once said.  You should try streaming before you decide you don’t like it. You may be surprised.

@jafant .
But, you can sample recordings that you would never have known about and buy them if you really like them.
B

+1 slaw! Physical media (tape, LP, CD) has monetary value. Streaming has ZERO monetary worth to the user! Remember it is ILLEGAL to copy, sell or loan this digital content! Finally the music providers have their hands on the throats of the consumers! And they will make you pay and pay!

Streaming is just RENTING! The music content is just loaned to you. It is ILLEGAL to copy, sell or loan this content! I prefer ownership! Point 2: how can the provenance of the digital content be verified? Is it a first generation copy, a second generation, a third ... ? I would not give much credit to the streaming service providers for honesty! For the convenience of streaming too much is being given up!

Yeah gdnrbob, being able to listen to all those albums you would never buy and finding that some of them are really good is what has me hooked on streaming.  I can try any album without having to pay $10 - $15 for it.  If I don't like it, I just delete it.

Not me.............Never!

Once you get into it, CD's seem to lose their magic.
I never thought I would move to the digital side, but I did. Having an almost limitless catalog to choose from and not having to get up to flip an LP or change a CD, makes streaming so nice. 
Though some streaming companies aren't up to high def, I am sure it will change in the near future. At which point, I think it will be the dominant force. 
Though some will swear by vinyl, I grew up with it and really have no desire to return to warped records and having to get up every 30 minutes.
But, then I am getting old...
B