HydrogenAudio

Hydrogenaudio Forum => Polls => Topic started by: kotrtim on 2004-08-16 15:32:20

Poll
Question: Choice of format when purchasing music
Option 1: Cassette tapes votes: 2
Option 2: Vinyl votes: 14
Option 3: CD-A votes: 641
Option 4: HDCD votes: 3
Option 5: SACD votes: 15
Option 6: DVD-A votes: 15
Option 7: Online votes: 48
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: kotrtim on 2004-08-16 15:32:20
which is the current most often format you choose when purchasing music?
Is CD still the main format?
anyone still buy cassettes????????

actually, i dont really know what is HDCD, SACD, Vinyl, since they exist
so its in the poll!

Is vinyl LD? I think I know whats LD,
LD has larger diametre than CDs....am i right?
Please tell me more about Vinyl, I never see vinyl anywhere in my country

EDIT: donno what had happened
I keep on post wrongly

actually, this is the topic title
"Choice of format when purchasing music"

pls pls someone correct it for me
thanks
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: breez on 2004-08-16 15:34:28
CD Audio. I don't own SACD/DVD-A player and at least SACD will never be usable with a PC.
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: Teqnilogik on 2004-08-16 15:44:25
CD Audio for me.  I don't own a SACD or DVD-Audio player (unless you count my DVD video players and DVD-ROM drives).  Plus I can't currently rip music from SACD or DVD-A discs so CD is my choice so I can rip music to put on my iPod.
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: Never_Again on 2004-08-16 19:52:25
Quote
Is vinyl LD? I think I know whats LD,
LD has larger diametre than CDs....am i right?

Right. But LD means laser disc. What you probably want is LP - Long Play record (33½ rpm).

Quote
Please tell me more about Vinyl, I never see vinyl anywhere in my country


Try vinylinfo.org (http://www.vinylinfo.org/) =)
Hmmm, lt me guess your country? India?
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: atici on 2004-08-16 20:12:44
This one was a no brainer  Audio CDs of course, because I could rip it freely and then do whatever I like. It's also not crippled because no lossy scheme is employed like many of the popular online music stores. DVD-Audio, SACD prevent me from ripping the music I own and are thus inferior media.

The only online store I buy from is Magnatune (http://www.magnatune.com), because they offer FLAC downloads, give 50% of their income to the artists and sell their music with no DRM (they even encourage you to share it).
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: dev0 on 2004-08-16 20:17:49
A mix of Vinyl and CDs. Most of my albums are on CD, but in the hardcore/screamo genre lots of bands do Vinyl-only releases (mostly 7"s + 10", sometimes splits with other bands). If a release is available in both formats I usually go for the one with the better layout (or more songs).
I'm currently looking into buying a new/better turntable and finally rip my stack of vinyl for consumption on my iRiver.

And: Colored Vinyl is just sexier than any CD could ever be. Check out Viva La Vinyl.org (http://www.vivalavinyl.org/) for all your collector needs.
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: DreamTactix291 on 2004-08-16 21:21:08
The good old audio CD mastered properly is as good as digital sound needs to be.  That is why I own a bunch of them.  And some not as nicely mastered ones  But ripping is a nice hobby and I like having a bunch of good quality music on my iRiver.  I couldn't see myself buying lossy compressed music online.  Maybe lossless but then I'd just rather own the CD.
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: mdmuir on 2004-08-16 21:30:17
Quote from: dev0,Aug 16 2004, 02:17 PM

A mix of Vinyl and CDs. Most of my albums are on CD, but in the hardcore/screamo genre lots of bands do Vinyl-only releases (mostly 7"s + 10", sometimes splits with other bands). If a release is available in both formats I usually go for the one with the better layout (or more songs).
I'm currently looking into buying a new/better turntable and finally rip my stack of vinyl for consumption on my iRiver.

I just copied over a vinyl copy of the Flux of Pink Indians release called "The F$ck&ng

C*nts Treat Us Like Pr*cks" You interested in taking it off my hands Dev0? 
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: k.eight.a on 2004-10-23 23:42:51
Well, I'm also buying old good CD-DA!
One of the purposes is this cool explanation from r3mix myths section:

CD doesn't have a low enough signal to noise ratio. The new DVD super audio is a huge improvement.
Reality check: CD was invented to be perfect sound without waste. The 90db signal to noise and dynamic range provides a noise floor that is lower than you can get from any analog source in the recording studio today. The air current in the room of the recording studio is louder than the noise floor on CD. When you use ANY microphone, you will pick up the room air noise. This means that CD already does a better job than we need it to. I already run into problems where CDs can record sounds too loud for analog equipment to safely amplify. If DVD audio is to be believed, then you could record a dynamic range wide enough to capture a jet engine's loudness. This is not possible to reproduce on current analog equipment without distortion and serious damage to your hearing. Again, CD is perfect. Current recordings on CD barely use any dynamic range. Most modern music has a "compressed" dynamic range. Constantly loud and rarely uses a sound below -15db on the level meter. This is a mastering problem. The mastering engineers master modern music for radio play to get their song louder than their competitors so people will pay attention when their song comes on. Take any 1980's or early 1990's CD and put it in your CD player, then listen to the volume. Now take a modern rock or pop music CD and play it. The volume of the modern music is always near or at the MAXIMUM peak level possible. The dynamic range squeezed out. Now, simply put in the older 1980's or early 1990's CD and turn up the volume on your stereo. You'll notice how much BETTER the older recordings sound. There is IMPACT in the drums. Details in the sound. It's more realisitic sounding overall. The older (but still modern) recordings are easier on your ears at louder volume and seem more natural. This is how the CD medium sounds at its best. Do not listen this way on PC or boombox speakers. You need a decent stereo or good headphones to hear the difference.
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: guruboolez on 2004-10-24 18:06:14
CD or hybrid SACD if available. I've voted for SACD.
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: Lee James on 2004-10-24 19:39:40
CD

I absolutely hate CDs as a product (I always give them away when I've copied them) but I don't know of any better way of getting the music onto my PC.
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: phoolgobi on 2004-10-24 22:50:09
Quote
Hmmm, lt me guess your country? India?
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=234883"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


how do u make a guess like that?
anyway i think ur wrong at that, cause kotrtim showed surprise at people buying cassettes and dude cassettes still sell more than any other audio media here in india. it is not much of a surprise considering a cassette still costs 1/4th the price an audio cd.
kotrtim would be aware of that (provided he is really from india, which i think he is not)

i feel like sherlock holmes right now, but only kotrtim can shed more light on this 
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: antsy on 2004-11-03 00:16:53
I buy CD's when I want an album, But I would Buy hybrid SACD if I could find them because they are backwards compatible and eveb thought I don't have a player, I know i'll probably have one one day, shame all new CDs arnt hybrid SACD, If I just want a song and not an album Ill probably get it online, and Somtimes i'll buy classics or single on vinyl.
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: DonP on 2004-11-03 10:29:55
I've been buying stuff regularly from magnatunes.

Interesting that "live performance" wasn't one of the choices for how we buy music.

A little over a century ago the choices would have been 1) live performance, 2) sheet music, 3) piano rolls.. maybe 4) music boxes.
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: Tomb on 2004-11-03 10:37:25
CD, MP3's online (from e-music and bleep) and vinyl (mainly 7" singles on indie labels).
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: Ivegottheskill on 2004-11-05 23:13:01
I've never seen or heard of HDCD, SACD or DVD-A. Hence I've never seen any for sale. The only other media I see at music stores these days is cassettes (though in extremely limited numbers, I don't think they make them anymore)

I sort of know what HDCD, SACD, DVD-A are (slightly higher quality than CD-A, like 24 bit?). But I'm not even sure if they sell them here 

If I bought music from online stores (which I don't, not as yet anyway), I'd probably only go for lossless formats. I'd rather pay a little more to get something that's top quality and transcodable
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: khiloa on 2005-03-03 21:15:41
CD.. rip to computer in FLAC then transfer to karma in -q6 vorbis.
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: Kirkangil on 2005-08-28 20:37:57
Wow this is a blowout poll.

CD by a avalanche.
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: Vitriol on 2006-05-02 18:24:32
I still got some vynil stored on my attick  but lately I only buy CD's
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: Firon on 2006-05-02 19:43:25
CDDA. No DRM-encumbered / high resolution audiophile black magic / lossy formats for me.
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: evereux on 2006-05-02 21:08:50
This poll is nearly two years old, I wonder how things would stand today? No change for me though, it's still CD.
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: DreamTactix291 on 2006-05-03 06:05:03
Well FWIW nearly 21 months later my answer hasn't changed from CD-DA
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: Insolent on 2006-05-03 08:43:25
CD-A, if only because I can't rip SACDs.
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: probedb on 2006-05-05 11:19:10
Old topic!

CD-DA for me
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: BobsRevenge on 2006-07-04 17:45:47
Hybrid SACD with a 5.1 audio track.  The redbook layer works on my PC (including ripping), in my car, and anywhere else I've tried it, so that's not a problem for me.

I still buy CDs more, but only because it's the only option.
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: SebastianG on 2006-07-04 18:06:21
I voted earlier for CD-DA but it finally started buying (high quality) MP3s and FLACs online (already 4 albums).
It's saving money (around 50%) and time (no need to rip/encode/tag for my portable).

Sebastian
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: Gow on 2006-07-04 18:17:07
CDs, for the most part.

Yet I also have some of the new classical stuff in SACD as well as Vinyl.  My Vinyl collection is a mix of 60s-70s Rock, classical, John Denver, and some other stuff that my Dad collected. 

Its a tradition, father passes down Audio collection down to son...its why the musical taste ranges.

The only online store I buy from is Magnatune (http://www.magnatune.com), because they offer FLAC downloads, give 50% of their income to the artists and sell their music with no DRM (they even encourage you to share it).


Do they throw in a cue sheet with that FLAC?  Also, you might want to try http://cdbaby.com/ (http://cdbaby.com/), all the money made on a CD goes directly to the artist.  Plus a huge repository of artists at the moment, independent people mostly...all genres.

- Gow
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: Madman2003 on 2006-07-22 10:13:22
Only audio cd's without copy protection is what i buy, not about to spend money or copy protection or lossy with drm. If lossless music becomes significantly cheaper than cd's, i might consider it, but pressed media and packaging do have their advantages.
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: Mitch A on 2006-07-22 19:46:09
Still CD-Audio for me, it can be used with so many devices
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: audioaficionado on 2006-07-23 00:52:16
I still mostly have over 95% CDA music with a few vinyl and cassette albums that haven't seen the light of day in years.  I get most of my CDs at the local pawn shops for 5/$20 or at swap meets. I don't by new albums much anymore due to fiscal constraints.  I never do P2P as it's not worth the risk.

I also acquire online streaming music through ShoutCast/StreamRipper32 and some free Shorten (.shn) audio compression format live album downloads from relatively unknown but good artists and lots of live concerts from more well known artists.  You better have broadband to grab any lossless .shn files.
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: Fuchal on 2006-07-23 03:18:08
Hybrid 5.1 SACD.
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: landy on 2006-07-23 09:33:27
A mix of Vinyl and CDs. Most of my albums are on CD, but in the hardcore/screamo genre lots of bands do Vinyl-only releases (mostly 7"s + 10", sometimes splits with other bands). If a release is available in both formats I usually go for the one with the better layout (or more songs).
I'm currently looking into buying a new/better turntable and finally rip my stack of vinyl for consumption on my iRiver.

And: Colored Vinyl is just sexier than any CD could ever be. Check out Viva La Vinyl.org (http://www.vivalavinyl.org/) for all your collector needs.


sorry for the late reply but doesnt colourd vinyl wear out faster and picture disc have shit sound/ fast wear? i much prefere cd for ease of use as i end up only listening stuff on vinyl once a week or so simply beacuse its a lot more hassle than transfering rips of a cd to my xbox/xbmc and playing them with that.

one thing i have been doing though is get good examples of each type of vinyl pressing (pic disc, locked grooves, inside out, etched) but with decent audio on them as well although the locked grooves one is exempt from having good audio as 500x1.8sec plus the fact you cant really find a good groove again kind of sucks.

just a general question, can the new formats (blueray/hd-dvd) be used for audio and if so how do they compare to SACD/DVD-A?
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: dvda-sacd on 2006-09-04 14:38:22
Hi everyone!

You can also vote on this poll (http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23293) (you don't need to be a registered member):

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23293 (http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23293)

Thanks!
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: minisu on 2006-09-11 00:32:02
Online all the way! I don't even own another player anymore...
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: Artemis3 on 2007-01-10 10:44:32
CDA, but only standard compliant (non "protected"). According to cdfreaks, no label is using "copy protection" anymore. The Sony fiasco was worth it

PD: I never play them directly, just rip and encode then they go into storage.
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: kornchild2002 on 2007-01-10 10:53:50
My vote went for audio CD as it is my main source for music.  I will generally purchase a CD, rip it to my computer, then put it away.  My second vote would go towards online though as I use the iTunes Store to purchase those rare tracks/albums that can't really be purchased in the stores anymore.  I would just end up purchasing albums from the iTunes store if it wasn't for the damned DRM which is a pain to get around.
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: Teqnilogik on 2007-01-10 20:01:41
primarily I buy audio CDs, however, recently I've been using the Napster subscription service and like it.  Unlimited downloads for $10/mo.  For what I spend on CDs a year, $10/mo will save me a lot of money.
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: Piffles on 2007-01-10 21:21:49
I buy CD-As normally. However, it's not really a choice, it's just about the only thing available. HDCD and SACD are still very, very rare in shops. In any case, CD quality is good enough for me, I see no reason for me to change the format.

I suppose buying lossless online would be a possiblity, but I definitely need something tangible in my hands once I've bought something. And call me old-fashionned, but I like having the CD case, artwork and booklet when it's an album/artist that I really like. Paying just to get a file on my PC is not something I'm likely to do anytime soon.
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: And1945 on 2007-06-02 15:35:15
On CD. I dont really like online purchase, with all that DRM into it. Then it comes in wma or other useless formats. OGG/MPC/APE or high def MP3.

Then I can always convert it into whatever I want.
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: cologne on 2007-06-02 18:46:58
I prefer CD. I rip to lossless, then transcode it to whatever codec of choice, so I'm not locked into any ecosystem from DRM, or worry about what codec my future DAP does or doesn't support.
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: Pi Is A Rational on 2007-06-18 14:33:17
vinyl vinyl vinyl!  I'll buy the album on CD first if the Vinyl isn't available then when it comes out I'll get the vinyl and just sell the CD to a friend or something and make my own vinly rip to a CD.  The way a simple needle can totally change your sound is amazing.  I'm not saying vinyl is better then CDs (I think it is personally but that's a whole debate in and of itself) but it can be a lot more personal, dunno if anyone knows what I'm trying to say.

EDIT:  I did forget to mention that my friend has told me in the past that the reason I may not be as willing to fully jump to CD or not care about the quality may stem from not having a good DAC and whatnot.  Then again I'm just not interested.  Vinyls you get nice big cover art, usually limited press and all that.  Especially for the genre of music I listen to (Screamo, Indie, Expiremental) a lot of it is extremely limited (under 500 usually) different colours, covers (some are silkscreened, handmade, etc.) and even if its not limited some are just straight up amazing.  Like the some girls pressing, there's about 1000 or so of each but they all have the lyrics etched onto the B-Side.  So it's basically a one-sided 12" (probably could've been a double-sided 7" or 10" if they really wanted).  Still pretty neat though.  So much more "personal" IMO.  Now, I don't understand necessarily people who collect the older stuff like Beatles Mono LPs and whatnot but to each his own...
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: Pi Is A Rational on 2007-06-18 17:00:42
On CD. I dont really like online purchase, with all that DRM into it. Then it comes in wma or other useless formats. OGG/MPC/APE or high def MP3.

Then I can always convert it into whatever I want.


I actually use WMA lossless when converting vinyl over to PC.  Works fairly well for me.  I'm sure there are better formats I just haven't cared that much to mess around with them.  WMA Lossless comes with windows so .  Hehe.
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: Shifty on 2007-06-18 17:15:35
I cast my vote for SACD (especially the hybrid ones). I would also go with DVD-A as an equal. I prefer the higher quality myself and find it a shame that more things are not released in these formats. Oh well ... be happy with what you got, right?!
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: Nick E on 2007-06-18 17:26:29
... I'm not saying vinyl is better then CDs  ...


It oughtn't to be, but then in practice many CDs are deliberately mastered badly -- another familiar topic here:

http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index....showtopic=27691 (http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=27691)
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: Pi Is A Rational on 2007-06-18 17:59:34
... I'm not saying vinyl is better then CDs  ...


It oughtn't to be, but then in practice many CDs are deliberately mastered badly -- another familiar topic here:

http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index....showtopic=27691 (http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=27691)


Yeah, I've tended to notice that too.  It seems as if they just sort of halfass it enough to the point where most people deem it acceptable since they're ignorant to the fact that it is possible to have it sound better.  I mean, I'm sure all of us wish we could probably be ignorant sometimes like everyone else and find a 128kbps from a p2p network burnt to a CD acceptable.  Haha.

Though, some of the bands I listen to have some AMAZING remastered Discography CDs.  Neil Perry, Spirit of Versailles and Usurp Synapse had amazing remastered discogs.  Saetia's is fairly shitty, you can tell they ripped the vinyls and halfassed no less.  You can hear the needle lift off at the end of one of the songs.  LoL.

EDIT:  Then again, I don't know since I'm not trying to use pseudoscience or claiming anything whatsoever since it's probably impossible or not even worth the trouble to analyze.  But like I stated before different needles and everything else can totally change the sound of anything.  I haven't messed with CDs and different DACs and all that kind of shit but I'm assuming you can get the same results that each product produces its own unique sound.  Nobody listens to the same song the same.  Just expirementing with needles themselves can be fun for me personally,  I can use a DJ needle if I want to pull more bass out or whatever you know?  Good times.  Also, cleaning off vinyls improves the sound and can help reduce clicks, pops, etc. so you essentially never listen to it the same twice and there's always that factor to have it sound better then the last time you heard it.

Sounds boring and tedious, but it's sort of fun, getting a vinyl that was in semi bad condition and cleaning the hell out of it and getting that satisfaction of a job well done.
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: exec on 2007-07-03 23:05:24
CDs - easy to use, rip or listen to.

But still have some rare or limited stuff on vinyl.
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: Barock on 2008-08-18 16:45:54
Buy the CD-Audio, and then comes the torture of ripping to a multitude of formats...
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: 2tec on 2008-10-29 22:19:37
anyone still buy cassettes????????

Some people consider cassettes the best analog medium commonly available, and, of course, used tapes and top end decks have never been less expensive. 
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: Slipstreem on 2008-10-30 00:13:42
Well, I'm also buying old good CD-DA!
One of the purposes is this cool explanation from r3mix myths section:

CD doesn't have a low enough signal to noise ratio. The new DVD super audio is a huge improvement.
This was a joke, right?

Why would somebody want a lower signal to noise ratio? Do they prefer noise to signal? 

Cheers, Slipstreem. 
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: macman4hire on 2008-10-30 03:20:03
This poll must add the new slotMusic format because it is destined to rule our galaxy and it is the will the will of the evil empire.  The dark side is strong!  You will all be assimilated into our corporate collective.
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: Sound-of-Muzak on 2009-03-14 19:27:25
The good old audio CD mastered properly is as good as digital sound needs to be.  That is why I own a bunch of them.  And some not as nicely mastered ones  But ripping is a nice hobby and I like having a bunch of good quality music on my iRiver.  I couldn't see myself buying lossy compressed music online.  Maybe lossless but then I'd just rather own the CD.


+1 although I barely use mp3 players
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: WUXGA on 2009-03-17 18:09:08
CD although I might look into buying off iTunes now that everything is DRM free now.
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: audioapprentice on 2009-03-18 02:45:08
Vinyl mainly because I buy mostly 70's and 80's and for the price of one iTunes song I get at least one album and often 2 or 3.

iTunes for the rare new song or stuff that I can't find on vinyl and happens to be on iTunes.

CD for the very rare old artist that is still going, or very very rare new artist that I like more than one song from.

Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: hero on 2009-04-30 00:39:28
I went with CD-A
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: cpchan on 2009-04-30 01:05:36
CDs is still my preferred format these days.
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: DARcode on 2009-04-30 07:14:17
Still CD-Audio, don't trust anybody else with the encoding to lossless or lossy.
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: Examiner on 2009-08-21 19:15:46
The good old CD! Leaves me the freedom to rip to whatever format I choose or need.
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: viktor on 2009-08-21 19:48:53
i spend most of my money on vinyls
Title: Choice of format when purchasing music
Post by: odyssey on 2009-08-21 20:59:59
This poll is 5 YEEAARS old!!! Back when iTunes didn't even exist (did it???) - How about making a new one?