[canucks0]

Hello all

  Firstly, I'm a CD guy and only in the last few years took a leap to the McIntosh MS300 music server. I've burned 450 CD's in FLAC onto the unit and saved these files onto an external drive. From there I'll be using a thumb drive to access lists to go onto my BDP-1 in the months ahead. Now, for new music (my interest in continuing to buy CD's is waning) where is a FREE place to download reliable, high resolution music files from, so I can start building my library through downloads. I've seen HD tracks so far and though one could justify their price (which is essentially the price of a CD), their library is limited and I'm cheap(ish). Thanks to all of you. Dave.

[whanafi]

Really don't understand the point of your question. 

The CD is obsolete, and downloads are the way to go for now and into the future, I agree.  But music is music, regardless of the medium used to distribute it.  The artist only gets paid when the music is purchased. 

Why would you expect to find high quality digital downloads for free?  Who would be paying for the computers, disk, bandwidth and organization to give you a free service?

If you want to infringe copyright (it is not stealing by the way, that is an RIAA smoke screen), I would think you would do so in private.

If you can afford Bryston kit, you can certainly pay for your music.

[Phil A]

There are already threads dealing with where to go for downloads -  http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=80776.0

I'm not sure you will find many free things though.

[Napalm]

The CD is obsolete, [...]

We'll know that when all new cars will come with sound systems based on something else.

Nap.

[whanafi]

In 2007, my car came equipped with an iPod dock integrated to the vehicle management system.  The menu for the player is integrated with the dash display. While I am not thrilled with an Apple-only interface, there is also an auxiliary port for 3.5mm jacks, so any player can be used.

[Napalm]

In 2007, my car came equipped with an iPod dock integrated to the vehicle management system.  The menu for the player is integrated with the dash display. While I am not thrilled with an Apple-only interface, there is also an auxiliary port for 3.5mm jacks, so any player can be used.

But the CD player is still there.

What you're looking for is something similar to the moment when all cars came with CD players instead of cassette tape players.

And if the replacement for CDs will be iPods, I won't be impressed. Not that it can't happen. Hint for James: how about a Bryston iPod dock? 

Nap. 

[whanafi]

I think you are looking for the wrong indicator. 

The point is that the CD player may be there, but nobody is using it.  They are all carrying their own music with portable and ear buds (particularly dangerous while driving, but observable) or installing portable players - http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/Mobile-Vortexbox-Player-MVP

[Stu Pitt]

Just because something comes in a car doesn't mean its not obsolete.  My '06 Highlander came with a CD/Cassette deck.  I'm pretty sure cassettes were obsolete way before '06.

CDs are becoming obsolete pretty quickly.  Like vinyl, I doubt they'll ever really go away, but they'll be a niche market item pretty soon.

I work in college athletics.  A lot of students bring music and play it in the athletic training room (sports medicine) and the weight room.  I haven't seen any of them bring a CD in about 4 years or so.  Its all iPods.  I asked a student last year about it; he didn't know any students who still use CDs.  My boss's kids (17 and 15) buy and play CDs, probably only because they're musicians.  None of their friends do.

With the kids playing all digital files, a lot of their parents are too.  Its a lot more convenient, especially in the car.

I'm not saying no young people use CDs, but I think its very few.  I think they have the mentality of why pay for something when you can get it for free.  The ones who are buying music are most likely buying from iTunes.  Its a shame if you ask me. 

Last thought...
They all know a 'real' stereo system sounds a lot better than their iPods.  They also no compression reduces audio quality.  They're not as stupid as a lot of audiophiles think they are.  They just either don't have the cash and space for a good system, or its not a priority.   

[vegasdave]

Yeah, that's why I didn't spend too much on a cd player...as great and mighty as the Bryston digital equipment is, I don't have the library to justify the purchase. Another factor is money, I don't have enough to buy a BDA-1 and better speakers. We'll see what happens, though...

[Napalm]

Vegas Dave. Don't worry man. I have one of these for you:



Nap. 

[Napalm]

[...]
CDs are becoming obsolete pretty quickly.  Like vinyl, I doubt they'll ever really go away, but they'll be a niche market item pretty soon.
[...]

I'm sure kids bands and Britney will be exclusively delivered via iTunes in the future. Which wouldn't be such a bad thing after all.  I'm curious what they'll do about classical music and so. I can't believe they'll put it on iTunes too.

Nap. 

[Napalm]

[...]  A lot of students bring music and play it in the athletic training room (sports medicine) and the weight room.  I haven't seen any of them bring a CD in about 4 years or so.  Its all iPods. [...]

Sure, but then when I'm on the go I don't carry CDs either. How would I look in the airport with a 4B SST in my hands and tower speakers coming out of my backpack. 

Nap.