To CD or not to CD, that is the question.

[Nazi NecroPhile]

You may vote twice but never thrice.

* are either of these even being made any longer?


I prefer to buy CDs; that way I can rip it into whatever format I please, I have a physical backup in case of hard drive implosion, and I have something real that I can hold in my hands.  How 'bout you?

[jperryss]

I don't buy much music anymore, but I go the CD route like you. CD gets ripped to Apple Lossless, CD goes in the 450-disc binder.

[Raizen1984]

CD's, without a doubt.  In fact, I've decided never to download again, as my hard drive recently crashed and all the iTunes shit I paid for vanished.  Seriously, why doesn't Apple just allow you to re-download lost files?  It's not like they don't retain the records of what you bought 

[Nazi NecroPhile]

Seriously, why doesn't Apple just allow you to re-download lost files?

They reportedly do have a way for you to re-download previous purchases, but you first need to fill out a form with their technical support and jump through some iHoops.  Expect chastisement for failing to make backups, which you wouldn't need if you were using a Mac. 

[SignOfZeta]

My preference, when possible, is the LP with a coupon for high quality downloads of the tracks from the label's website. This is getting more common, but its still a choice maybe %10 of the time, and often the coupons expire. When I can get it, its the ultimate choice. CDs are my 2nd choice, and iTunes my third. I usually only do the iTunes thing when I want the track NOW and I know I'm never going to care about what's in the liner notes. So, a remix or something. If its a new Gift of Gab album or something like that I want the CD so I can read all the stuff inside.

[jperryss]

Expect chastisement for failing to make backups, which you wouldn't need if you were using a Mac. 

Is there something magical about a Mac that makes it impervious to HDD crashes? Please share!

[Joe Redifer]

All computers crash, Macs included.

Anyway, I like CDs.  But you forgot MiniDiscs!!!!!!!

[Nazi NecroPhile]

Is there something magical about a Mac that makes it impervious to HDD crashes? Please share!

Advanced marketing hype makes 'em infallible.  They just work, dammit! 

[JoshTurboTrollX]

I like CD's but I only buy them used.  Best if around $3-$5.  Only shitty thing is its harder and harder to find used CD stores... :S

[Arkhan Asylum]

I lub me some vinyls.  Sounds better than CD's if you have a good setup.

and then I like CDs too, cause you cant put vinyls in a car.  I sure wish you could though. 



I would've voted tape if those were like still for sale alot.

[jperryss]

Is there something magical about a Mac that makes it impervious to HDD crashes? Please share!

Advanced marketing hype makes 'em infallible.  They just work, dammit! 

[Tatsujin]

CD or DL. In the good days it would have been still the vinyl.

[Turbo D]

I like vinyl best, but c.d.s are more convenient for ripping. It is very hard to get music on vinyl these days. If anyone cares, I have technics sl1200's w/ sure m44-7's w00t

[Sparky]

CD for me.... but i dont like spending any more than $5 on them... if only i took better care of them in my car.. they are in the back seat free floating around with every shape turn or hard brake.... <<blush>>

[termis]

When I used to buy any music, actual CDs -- though I also never bought new anymore -- used shops or half.com.

But like I said, I haven't really bought music in a long time.  Not unlike video games, I find that I have plenty of material already, and it's rare that I need new stuff.

[CrackTiger]

I prefer CDs to everything else. I have a decent set of ear phones that I use to listen to music on a discman when I'm at home and want 'full quality'. I use an mp3 player in my car most of the time now for convenience. But a big factor in that is my car's factory speakers level out the perceivable difference between mp3s and CDs.

I love having a hardcopy I can keep on a shelf with the rest of a band's releases and I love manuals and cover art. I also like to support the bands I'm into (mostly death metal) and the community as well. It's for the same reasons I prefer complete authentic game discs instead of just downloading a bunch of isos.