Analog a dying breed

Eldragon- I can clearly not say for sure but it seems hard to believe LP sales outnumbered CD sales- unless you included used and even then used cd sales is a HUGE business now too. Could someone provide a link with facts on the issue about sales of LP's vs CD.

In regards to the topic at hand, I feel the dealer is right on- sure there will be a cult following who will be vinyl heads till death. I am a younger audiophile and I don't see an analog rig in my system in the future ever, I like to think I am pretty serious about this hobby fwiw. If an enthusiast like myself can not see taking the plunge(I am sure some younger audiophiles are into analog or will be in the future) I don't see how it will have even following it does today in ten years from now. This may turn into the infamous analog vs digital debate and that horse has been beaten dead for years, the lines have been drawn and we know who sits on which side- so lets not bring this discussion to that level, though I think its already heading in that direction (e=mc²)

Yes, I can't see analog dying either. I sometimes wonder if SACD is not destined for a short life, instead.

Lots of the people I play music for have heard that "vinyl is better" and are pleased to have it proved to them in my living room. That doesn't necessarily translate into sales of music or equipment, of course, but it's interesting. I have heard some very nice CD playback in the last couple of years, much better than I once thought the medium could provide; I have not yet heard a demo of SACD that I thought was much better.

Sometimes I wonder too if the new formats are not being supported by the companies mainly because they see their patents on CD running out.

To support analog, for a dealer, is to work against the current today. He has to have heard it sound better than digital, be able to demo that, work to sell his conviction and then support the lonely analog buff afterward. It's a big commitment.

That`s funny I wonder if he has seen the equ being manufactured by many different companies. Price`s between .5K to 70K (Rockport Tech) with that said there is a price point for everyone interested. And look at record`s 120gr, 180gr, 200gr, 45RPM, 1/2 speed remasters I personaly feel it is stonger than ever. David

Vinyl sales are up worldwide this year compared to last year. Still tiny compared to CDs of course.

Speaking as someone who actually purchased a turntable today (a cheap Technics for my dad for Xmas), I'd say your dealer is half-right. Most of what's keeping turntable manufacturers going these days is boomers (and older, like my dad) who have record collections they want to play, and that market is going to shrink over time, for obvious if sad reasons. OTOH, there will always be an audiophile niche, and companies willing to fill that niche.