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Can Redbook CD Be Saved

This type of thread has been discussed in various OPs elsewhere in one form or another. Some have said that the future belongs to one type of hi rez format or another, or maybe even various types of formats. Well, redbook CD has been around for three decades and many of us "old heads" have made significant investments in our CDPs and redbook CD collections based on 16 bit/44.1 kHz technology.

So I ask those knowledgeable in digital formats whether it is possible that redbook CD technology can be improved to the point that it could be substantially comparable to the various so called "cutting edge" hi rez formats coming down the pike? Maybe the improvements would have to start at the recording studio. Dunno?? But I would appreciate learning whether redbook CD equipment and CDs are headed the way of the 8-track?

Thanks
bifwynne
schipo
1,267 posts
 
I go to a used LP&CD store at least once a week in my area.If CD is dead?I must be in a George Romero film...its butts to elbow and almost impossible to maneuver. Taking physical possession of a lost treasure is more rewarding to me then downloading.
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
I don't get it (as usual). If you enjoy your CDs played back on your rig, you enjoy them. Newer formats will not make them sound any worse. So what does it matter? It seems that buying new music is always a better investment than replacing music that you already own.

As far as reissues goes, analog tape degrades over time, and reissues of 30+ old material may very well sound worse when released in more modern media, simply because the tapes have degraded so badly. Garbage in, garbage out.
bombaywalla's avatar
bombaywalla
1,957 posts
 
more fodder for all of you in this parallel thread: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ymisc&1311979002&&&/Are-the-CD-S-days-numbered-
timlub
1,649 posts
 
I truly believe that Cd's will be saved.... on hard drives.
Plus you have the ability to try several different dac's to fine tune to your liking.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Just rip it with DBpoweramp to a hard disk on a computer and play it back through a decent USB DAC. CD player is not even close. Use Mac with SSD and its even better.

The CD player is dead, but the music is not. It just keeps getting better and better.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
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