[HsvHeelFan]

I built a Windows PC based music server a couple of years ago and ripped all of my CD's to that system.  Everything is ripped to lossless FLAC.  All the CD media is stored in large plastic bins that are placed in a closet.

I continue to purchase my music on CD's.  They're ripped once to the car and once to the music server and then stored.

I backup the music server with 2 different hard drives.

I have no plans to sell off or donate the original source material.


HsvHeelFan

[mcgsxr]

I have close to 2TB of FLAC, with appropriate backups.  I have run a server based digital only system for over 8 years. 

In the past 8 years, I have played a disc under 10 times, and only when my basement was being finished, and I had to strip out all the audio gear during that process.

That all said, all my cd's are in boxes on shelves in my utility room in the basement.

I have no plans to get rid of them. 

[Scotlynn]

I would enjoy seeing a few photos of your storage solutions for your most awesome collection   

Be well...

Storage is an ongoing problem. I'm trying to slow down, but heard they just opened a vinyl shop in my community and its the first and only one in many, many years. So looks like I'm screwed.
Anyways, the cd collection is pretty straight forward - handmade shelves using cheap painted pine line both sides of my music room/home office:






Records are tougher. I storage several hundred on the sides of my desk (2 shelves I built with a finished plank of wood between them - and sorry, no matter how many times I upload this image in the proper orientation, it comes out sideways):






The rest of the lps are in other areas of the house either on a simple handmade shelf or, what I found to be the cheapest, best album storage shelving, those Ikea Expedit bookshelves - comes in different sizes, fairly sturdy and fits 12" records perfectly.








So there'll be no offloading of my physical media in my lifetime. I'll leave it for my kids to liquidate it all after I'm gone!

[dminches]

These are great pictures for me to show my wife  .

I used to have a wall-ful of CDs but they are now on my NAS.

[rooze]

How do those who've actually sold off their CD players feel about the ethical dilemma of having a buddy come over with a stack of CD's to play, and you having to rip each one to your HD prior to playing?
I suppose you could delete the files afterwards, but I'll bet you don't 

I'm a Luddite and actually enjoy the touchy-feely aspect of having physical media, and I also benefit from the exercise associated with getting up off my fat arse every 22/45 minutes or so and flipping discs. Plus, it gives me a chance to hit up the fridge and retrieve another alcoholic beverage. Why fix it if it ain't broken 

[sfraser]

I have ripped all my music years ago. I don't share my music, But I do have a couple of off site backup locations, and in return i offer the same service to my friends.. : )

[Phil A]

Wow - what a wall full of CDs.   I like physical media but do use a music server.  In the process of moving and at this point have a portion of music and movies packed (and am packing more) as they want the furniture arranged in a particular way for the showing of the current house.  With a bit over 2,000 music and movie discs, there won't be disc storage in the new place (simply no walls to use for lots of racks like I have now).  So most of them will be in Can-Am CD/DVD cabinets (cdcabinet.com) on wheels in a closet or in a box.  I may try to have certain discs out like Blu-Rays or SACDs.  My one six drawer Can-Am unit should be able to hold my DVDs and the three draw unit will hold most or all of my pop/rock CDs.  The SACDs, Blu-Rays, DADs, DVD-As are at this point probably not that far away from 600 discs (certainly over 500) and then I have jazz and classical CDs.  When the furniture gets in place, I'll have a better idea.  I have to say that a couple of big (Oyen Digital) hard drives are a whole lot easier to store.

[WC]

I rip my CDs as I get new ones. I am approaching 2000 CDs. I do need to work on storage. The wife is on a declutter kick and is not pleased by the amount of space the CDs take up. I won't get rid of them, but I may end up consolidating them by throwing out the jewel cases and just keeping the discs. I do buy a few downloads, but only in ALAC or FLAC format so downloads are limited due to lack of available albums.

[Rclark]

Yes I have and didn't think I'd do it so soon as in three years I probably bought 1000 cd's and now they are packed away,

I had an Emo Erc 1 and then Erc 2 which are great cdp's and very high tech for the money. Dimensional, high resolution,  crystalline beauty. And never heard file based music sound like that. Then on a lark I installed Music Unlimited on my PS3 last month and much to my utter astonishment the sound matched my cd player. Airy, resolute, dimensional sound. Jaw was on the ground.

Sold my Erc 2 and don't think I will replace it. Unsure if I should keep my cd's for posterity or should I set up as an amazon seller and sell them all off.

The convenience issue was never an issue. I was using an optocoupler with no remote for two plus years. Sound quality first for me. And it was obvious to my ears that this file based streaming service sounded just as good as my cdp. Convenience and multiple device use just cherry on top. And the enormous,  endless selection of music doesn't hurt.

[jparkhur]

Packed all my compact discs away and only use my mac mini.   Don't want to sell them as they may be worth something more in future..
JP

[JfTM]

All of the music that I have I paid for, or have explicit permission of the artist to have.  It is all stored digitally and backed up.  Original media is stored away in boxes.

In my opinion; ripping and selling does a big disservice to the artist.

[guest48077]

My CDs get ripped to my NAS then I back them up on another Hard Drive. I then take the artwork /sleeve out , trash the jewel case and store the CDs/Artwork in a Cd storage binder.

I prefer my vinyl, so that is not going anywhere.

This is working out great for storage. I would have to be mAd to sell/donate/trash my media.

[Laundrew]

Storage is an ongoing problem. I'm trying to slow down, but heard they just opened a vinyl shop in my community and its the first and only one in many, many years. So looks like I'm screwed.
Anyways, the cd collection is pretty straight forward - handmade shelves using cheap painted pine line both sides of my music room/home office:

Simplistic, well organized and the music is within easy reach to look for a specific CD or pick a "flavour of the day." 

Many thanks for sharing a few photos of your awesome collection 

Be well...

[Chicago]

When all you have is a cd player there is not much option except to store the media. 

I am leaning towards the BDP/BDA 2 but I have not taken the plunge.  My guess is if I go this route I will rip my cd collection for convenience, but I can't see getting rid of it.  Storing the cd's I rarely play - yes and I have been thinking of doing that anyway.  Most are poorly mastered and do not sound too good on my system.  I know I will keep my BCD -1 as a backup and I would like to think I will continue to use it but it sounds like most folks have given up their cd players.

Good Listening,
Mike

[SteveFord]

I swapped a whole boatload of CDs for some gear a while back but the albums aren't going anywhere!

[dB Cooper]

Yes, they are breaking the copyright laws. Even copying is against the law.

Wayner

I would like to hear a lawyer sound off on that (no pun intended). There must be one among the well-heeled audiophiles here. By this reasoning, even ripping your CDs to iTunes would be against the law; I think you would have heard something long before now if this were true. There would be no portable devices and so on.

[Laundrew]

Address, please?   

Hello thunderbrick 

Check out on-line/phone book for your local Goodwill or Salvation Army stores in your city/town - you most likely will be pleasantly surprised - good hunting 

Be well...

[Quiet Earth]

So far it looks like the majority of people are keeping their CDs (somewhere), even if they don't play them anymore. I keep all of mine on shelves. I play them one at a time, the old fashioned way.

Every now and then I collect a batch of duds and "what was I thinking?"  discs, then take them down to the local store for trade in credit. It's a good way to try to go through the entire collection and thin the herd.


Scotlynn, I am inspired brother-man! Maybe someday.......

[JBLMVBC]

I made the mistake to let go some of my LPs when CDs appeared. I shall not make that mistake again.

[JRace]

Yes, they are breaking the copyright laws. Even copying is against the law.

Wayner

Where is it illegal?

Not in the UK:
http://www.digitalspy.ca/tech/news/a446817/uk-law-change-permits-cd-ripping.html

Not in the US:
http://mp3.about.com/od/digitalmusicfaq/f/CDripping_legal.htm

Not in Canada
http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-42/page-20.html#h-30