The cost of LP's and CD's - an observation


Back just before CD's, Albums were usually around $6-8.00, cutout less, double albums a bit more. When CD's first came out they were 'premium' items and cost $10-15.00, slowly the prices for CD's came down and records slowly all went down to a buck or two then disappeared. Now it's reversed, CD's are a few bucks, new Albums are usually around $15 to 25.00. (I didn't figure out the inflation rate, someone else can add that in) . And those cutouts can now be worth a small fortune. I just thought this reversal was interesting. Of course with Streaming, music of any quality is very cheap.


128x128deadhead1000

Showing 7 responses by audio2design

How can you be price gouged on a non essential discretionary spend?  MFG cost for intellectual property is meaningless.

Consumers were price gauged with the cost of a CD. It cost the label about $1.50 to manufacture a disc including packaging.

At least with streaming the artist may see some money. A used CD confers 0 money to the artist.
They may have "started" in the 70's but they made their mark and the bulk of their music in the 80's.  The Police and U2 are very much "epic".  Prince? Doesn't get much more epic than that. Iron Maiden? Many consider Depeche Mode even today a lot more epic than many other groups. REM? .... People will be listening to Jackson for decades, probably Madonna. Whitney Houston not so much.  Others like Bowie reinvented themselves for the era. 
Check out this graph sgreg1. A lot of younger people do buy vinyl, but keep in mind this graph is bought at least 1 album, not the total bought.  Over 55 are buying more than ever, perhaps a grasp at youth :-).   The group 45-54 bought less in 2019 than 2018.  This would be the first group who grew up with vinyl, but quickly replaced it early into adulthood. They don't have quite the attachment. Younger buyer are buying, but no real growth.


https://www.statista.com/statistics/1008779/vinyl-record-buyers-us-by-age/


As most of us have streaming (not all I realize) I don't see the advantage of a used CD.  It won't sound better. It is not convenient. The artist sees even less revenue than streaming.  I guess if you are attached to physical media, but I long ago let that go.
No, you think it sounds better to you. That is completely meaningless to other people..
We are speaking of made up terms and euphonics.

When we are talking about "High end analog" as compared to routine CD, it sounds better to most people.

A bunched of aged audiophiles who grew up with vinyl is not "most people". (I fall somewhat into that group).

Presented with well mastered versions of both, most who did not grow up on vinyl will take the digital version.