Why redbook over SACD?

@billstevenson  I neglected to mention the stats I cited including the 22% decline in CD sales was through the first half of 2025, and in all likelihood this will continue and whatever rebound was what we call in the investment world a “dead cat bounce.”  CDs will be nothing more than a declining niche going forward, and it’s likely only a matter of time before the larger manufacturers stop producing them altogether as it makes no financial sense to do so although I expect some boutique brands will soldier on.  Hell if they still make cassette tapes…

@billstevenson 

I am heavy consumer of both vinyl and cds.  My streamer gathers dust. Sort of a flat earther type I guess.

You are not alone. 

@billstevenson  @stuartk 

Guys, I was the same way.  Vinyl, SACD, & CD.... , but, this year I upgraded my front end for streaming - both my ethernet, streamer, cables, etc....  Then, the game changer was subscribing to Qobuz.  Within a few months, I had a 1000 song playlist that was different from my 10,000+ songs coming form SACD & CD.  I have all my CDs & SACDs ripped (.wav & .dsf files) and I now stream my new Qobuz playlist and also play my .wav & .dsf files at the same session. Qobuz has lots of Hi-Rez  and CD quality songs that sound fantastic.  It really was a game changer for me, and I do not think I can do a blind A/B test and tell the difference between Qobuz Streaming and a CD of the same resolution. 

I’ve also noticed lately a number of Jazz albums only being available as a download, no CD or LP and not available for streaming … I do worry about the financial effects of streaming on non mainstream artists and music forms …

(Sarcasm alert…with a touch of irony and truth…)

“The two things that really drew me to vinyl (or interchange with SACD) were the expense and the inconvenience.” Alex Gregory