How long have we got?

[Haselsh1]

I think all formats of music will be around as long as there are folk who want, and value diversity.

So well spoken and accurate. Diversity is at the very heart of what we listen to and how we listen to it. Off to the chippy now

[Gaz]

I personally think that rather than get worked up and anxious about audio formats we should be more worried about the future of the hi-fi industry and the lack of interest these days from up and coming potential customers. Looking back to 1983 I remember a huge market for hi-fi, I don't see that market anymore.

Very true.

Very few "younger" people listen on anything other than Bluetooth speakers or headphones and many "older" hifi buffs are switching to Sonos type systems for convenience.
I too wonder what future there is for multi-box hifi, it will probably become an even more niche market the cost of which will be prohibitive to newcomers?

[Haselsh1]

Very true.

Very few "younger" people listen on anything other than Bluetooth speakers or headphones and many "older" hifi buffs are switching to Sonos type systems for convenience.
I too wonder what future there is for multi-box hifi, it will probably become an even more niche market the cost of which will be prohibitive to newcomers?

Yes Gary, take a look at the housing market which is pretty much essential and hardly a luxury. If the cost of housing is so extreme, what hope is there for unnecessary items like audio..?

[Macca]

Houses are so expensive because there aren't enough of them. You can't really say the same thing about hi-fi equipment.

[Barry]

I had a three hour music session last night playing nothing but CD's (Dire Straits' white album and Shpongle's Museum of Consciousness).

Funnily enough I had a six hour session yesterday, playing all nine Beethoven symphonies. These were mono recordings made in the late 40s, early 50s, and remastered to CD. So a delightful mix of technology - and yes they sounded great; I became really engaged and engrossed with the performances (otherwise I wouldn't have spent so much time listening to them).

[Gaz]

Houses are so expensive because there aren't enough of them. You can't really say the same thing about hi-fi equipment.

True, that's expensive because people are prepared to pay high prices.

[paulf-2007]

I had a three hour music session last night playing nothing but CD's (Dire Straits' white album and Shpongle's Museum of Consciousness).

And your point is?
I find cd much the same as streaming so cd is an inconvenience having to get up and change discs. Vinyl is a more worthwhile inconvenience.

[GrahamS]

My vinyl only runs to about 330 now, but its value is nearly 7k. realistically I wont get that of course, but i will have cost more to buy. You can see it quickly adds up. I certainly wouldnt be starting again seriously with it unless i was in a strong financial position. But there is no doubt there is nothing like it when done well. Especially if you like classical as you can pick up nice stuff cheap in secondhand shops still as its not popular.

Same here. But my vinyl only has monetary value if I sell it or lose it. I could never replace it.

[Stratmangler]

And your point is?
I find cd much the same as streaming so cd is an inconvenience having to get up and change discs. Vinyl is a more worthwhile inconvenience.

Don't forget all the additional exercise as a plus point

[Barry]

And your point is?
I find cd much the same as streaming so cd is an inconvenience having to get up and change discs. Vinyl is a more worthwhile inconvenience.

Yes, you have to get up every 20 minutes to turn the record over, re-fit the record clamp,clean the surface with a record brush, check the stylus is clean and cue the pickup arm. Whereas with a CD, you just pop it in the drawer and press 'play' - and you only need do that every 60 minutes or so.