[JLM]

We concentrate on the gear in this circle (like most circles and most audiophile forums).  But that's only a part of any system. 

The cost involved in trying to start building a decent library is daunting for the likely C&C crowd.

If you've bought even 100 albums at near retail prices, your library cost exceeds that of your equipment.    Using Tidal allows access to a huge CD quality library of for $20/month. 

So it seems like streaming needs to be considered as an essential part of C&C unless you somehow already have a sizable library or just want a second system.  Accordingly turntables, CD players, and large amounts of digital storage have a hard time fitting into many C&C scenarios. 

Note that I'm assuming we don't pirate music, right guys?

[Phil A]

I have probably around 1,500 music discs, including CDs, SACDs, DVD-As, etc. and have bought downloads (mostly hi-rez).  I've been buying CDs since they were first available so it's over 30 years.  Over that time, I have of course bought and sold lots of equipment.  At this point, I use file playback.  There's also places for used CDs and I've bought some of those.  If I didn't have a library then of course I'd consider streaming.  I have Amazon Prime and have not even taken advantage of any music from it at this point.

[TrungT]

To me, mostly streaming through Spotify, it does the trick, select one of the mood and let's it play, I don't have to think what to play, which is a nice thing. 
Or discover new music on Spotify, all about music.
If I'm in the mood for "hifi" sound, then turn on the hard drive (very little time)
Basically, what sound quality is make you happy!!!!!

[Letitroll98]

Great post JLM.  For anyone starting out yes, of course.  But also for those of us that have a music library, how much of our retirement funds are we going to spend on future purchases.  And in a C&C context it's a no brainer.  If you spend more than $20 a month on new music you should consider streaming.  I say consider though.  For myself, I still like the old fashioned feel of a tangible cedee or lp.  But I really like the way you're thinking.

[G Georgopoulos]

Yeah JLM's proposal is tops,paying $$ a month for unlimited music is the best deal ever...

[JLM]

It's a great way to explore new artists or genres.

And it's been pointed out to me if you read someone's impression of gear using unknown music, you can stream it in and compare for yourself.

Plus, how many albums do you like in their entirety, yet that's what you bought.

[Phil A]

I get to find out about other music I don't have from places like here, Space Coast Audio Society Meetings or internet radio listening.  I use the Shazam App on the iPhone a decent amount and then the music goes into my wish list on a particular site.  Usually around the beginning of the year, I buy a good portion of the SACDs on my wish list (like 8-10 at a time).

[mcgsxr]

A very interesting question.

As a guy who has been buying music for 30+ years, I am unlikely to move to streaming but if I were just getting into the game, it would be prudent.  I try not to think about what I have spent amassing somewhere around 4000 cd's over those 30 years.  Even harder to take (and on point with JLM's question about what % I listen to) it looks like I actually like somewhere around 20-30% of those tracks (based on combing my favorites).

As the quality of the streaming improves, it becomes a very viable option.  No more dealing with backing up libraries, moving to new s/w platforms etc.

Anybody got a time machine I can borrow?   

[Carl V]

Anybody got a time machine I can borrow?   

Actually...today is your lucky day. 10-21-2015  BACK TO THE FUTURE
Buy some of those flux capacitors.

Good points.  I will not live long enough to play or replay all my media
Physical or other wise.  The new streaming services etc., help make listening
fun, unpredictable, enlightening.

I have plenty of Vivaldi Four Seasons....enough that I haven't bought a new version
or listened to anything 'new to the table', but I heard Philharmonia Baroque productions
PBP-03 (CD) 2011 production.  WOW! i bought it. 
without streaming i might never have known
this was around.

[jpm]

There's an aspect to this question that relates to the relationship the listener has with the format. I've seen this referred to a few times in relation to those who've added vinyl back to their systems and can attest to having experienced it myself.

For me, the most engaged I get with the music I listen to is with vinyl. The absence of "lazy features", having to turn the record and the cover art all contribute to the experience and the level of active involvement. 

Next, for me, comes CD. I make an active selection from my library based on ... whatever inspired me at that moment. Still, remote control everything makes it easier to drift away from active engagement.

So far, my only experience with streaming has been a six month (free) trial of Google music. Their "curated selections" left me cold, icy cold, and generally depressed for the state of the music industry. Most of what they discovered for me could have passed for any other song from America Idol.

While I do see Tidal in my future, right now it's like living in the golden age of CD purchasing. I can go on a kick through an artist's catalog and pick up all of their work at super low prices thanks to Amazon marketplace's used selection. Yes, it means I buy a whole album at a time and there are occasions when an album is a dud, but for less than the cost of a large coffee at a famous tax avoiding beverage chain I don't lose any sleep. On the other hand, I'd never have come across the beauty of an artist like Tord Gustavsen without jumping on a CD for the sake of a song.

[geowak]

I've been streaming music for many years now. I use spotify and tidal. I also have an extensive library of music in itunes that I don't listen to and many cds that do gey played as often as I stream. Once I had a modest decent hifi system , I just wanted to enjoy music. Streaming really exposes one to music which you might not hear otherwise. That is simply... great for a music lover. The equipment is important, but once you are enjoying the gear you have, now it's time for music.

[ACHiPo]

I stream background music (Pandora via Sonos), but prefer LPs, CDs, or a library when in my cave, even if not "seriously listening".

[ajzepp]

There's also places for used CDs and I've bought some of those.

This. I have a library of mostly ALAC files approaching 10,000 tracks. I've downloaded a handful of MP3 tracks over the years from iTunes and Amazon, but most of my library consists of used CDs that Ive bought off Amazon. Much of the time I can find used discs with imperfect cases, missing cover art, etc that I can get for only a few bucks. I rip the disc, toss it in a box in the closet, and have bit perfect music to enjoy forever.

For new artists I absolutely love internet radio. The Tune-In Radio app has improved tremendously and you can even find quite a few mp3 quality streams that actually sound quite good. The revamped radio offerings on iTunes sound pretty good, as well, and they have a real nice variety. In the bedroom I have a sonos connected to my headphone rig, and then for the living room I use my iPad and the JRiver remote app (JRemote) to stream my music library.

I just could never go back to physical discs and a CD player...having my entire library in the palm of my hand and controlled by my iPad, along with the immense amount of streaming channels available online, make this method so much more fun to me.

[mav52]

That's why I like streaming to search out new artist and songs.  For instance in the AC area The Music Circle "What are you listening to right now?",  if the album catches my eye,  I use Tidal or Spotify .  If I enjoy what I'm hearing I either purchase the cd or LP or find a download and then I add that to my library on my NAS.. Plus the wife loves the ease of Streaming with Tidal or she can pull it off her music choice from the NAS using our Lumin Network Player.

[ajzepp]

That's why I like streaming to search out new artist and songs.  For instance in the AC area The Music Circle "What are you listening to right now?",  if the album catches my eye,  I use Tidal or Spotify .  If I enjoy what I'm hearing I either purchase the cd or LP or find a download and then I add that to my library on my NAS.. Plus the wife loves the ease of Streaming with Tidal or she can pull it off her music choice from the NAS using our Lumin Network Player.

I think a NAS is the best investment I've made for my network ever...I picked up a WD MyCloud, and not only is it so nice having it active on the network at all times, but, as you pointed out, it's super easy to to add files. I can also access my music library via the iPhone app when I'm away from home, and even give others access to my library so they can enjoy it.

For under $100, it's also cheap and cheerful! 

[mcgsxr]

Had a conversation with a group of friends Friday about this.  They are not audio geeks, just average dudes in their 40's.

One heard the size of my collection and was amazed that anyone wanted to own music anymore.  He streams exclusively (iTunes Music I think) and was able to play any album I could name.  He was happy to demo a 1952 Oscar Peterson request.  When I challenged the resolution to his iPhone it was at 256.  He pays $10 a month I think. 

Good enough for him and his needs.  When I explained that my FLAC 24/88.2 version of the same was around 3000 he was surprised but unmoved.  For his needs, hearing it at any resolution anytime anywhere trumps higher Rez playback at one place at one time. 

I understand his perspective.  But prefer to own.