4 ms·

Listen to CDs

11 points by throw0101a 5y ago

smackeyacky 5y ago
There is no better time to get into CDs. Lovely, expensive CD players are piled on shelves in charity shops, CDs are piled next to them. It does take some time to work out what to buy, but the best approach that works for me is to buy a few that I know I will like, a few from artists I've heard of but never listened to and throw in a few completely random things where the artwork appeals to you. Various artist compilations are great if they are another artists music as a retrospective and can lead you to new artists you will never find on streaming services by yourself. CDs have the same appeal as vinyl for me, I put on on and listen to it complete, unlike streaming that encourages chopping around and skipping tracks. If you don't have room for a full blown stereo or you like to listen at work, a retro portable CD player is a great investment. I have a Technics and really like them for sound quality compared to the new, cheap ones on ebay. The classic technics players with car oriented anti skip are perfect for desktop use. Used CDs can be damaged though, once the reflective surface on top is damaged the CD is likely junk. Take them out of the jewel case and hold them up to the light. The odd pin hole is fine but large holes mean the CD will be unplayable. Like a lot of thrift shopping, the key to picking up quality items is being a regular. Be nice to the staff and they'll be nice to you.
- DarylZero 5y ago
  Or just download albums from thepiratebay.org
  - smackeyacky 5y ago
    Maybe that too, but for.those of us who were just getting their first real job when CDs were a very expensive thing, I feel like a kid again when faced with a pile of once hard to get CDs.
madengr 5y ago
eyelidlessness 5y ago
I don’t care about the format, but I agree with the general idea that there’s a lot to discover by taking the time to appreciate music you may not like right away. And in that vein, the first three albums I ever bought (CD) and the first I ever bought on vinyl continue to be among my favorite ever… even though I panned all of them on first listen: - The Toadies - Rubberneck - Smashing Pumpkins - Pisces Iscariot - Alice In Chains - [Three legged dog] - Pearl Jam - No Code
iggldiggl 5y ago
And in some cases, the streaming version of an album is only available in a mutilated version. A number of live Bob Dylan albums are e.g. inexplicably missing the between-tracks content in the online versions (both streaming and even download), even though those bits are actually quite funny (all that stuff in the 1964 Halloween concert) or notorious (the Judas! – I don't believe you! exchange on the 1966 Free Trade Hall concert). So buying the CDs is currently the only legal way of actually getting the full album, and having the full liner notes available is actually also quite nice in that case.

11 points by throw0101a 5y ago

There is no better time to get into CDs. Lovely, expensive CD players are piled on shelves in charity shops, CDs are piled next to them. It does take some time to work out what to buy, but the best approach that works for me is to buy a few that I know I will like, a few from artists I've heard of but never listened to and throw in a few completely random things where the artwork appeals to you. Various artist compilations are great if they are another artists music as a retrospective and can lead you to new artists you will never find on streaming services by yourself. CDs have the same appeal as vinyl for me, I put on on and listen to it complete, unlike streaming that encourages chopping around and skipping tracks. If you don't have room for a full blown stereo or you like to listen at work, a retro portable CD player is a great investment. I have a Technics and really like them for sound quality compared to the new, cheap ones on ebay. The classic technics players with car oriented anti skip are perfect for desktop use. Used CDs can be damaged though, once the reflective surface on top is damaged the CD is likely junk. Take them out of the jewel case and hold them up to the light. The odd pin hole is fine but large holes mean the CD will be unplayable. Like a lot of thrift shopping, the key to picking up quality items is being a regular. Be nice to the staff and they'll be nice to you.

DarylZero 5y ago
Or just download albums from thepiratebay.org
- smackeyacky 5y ago
  Maybe that too, but for.those of us who were just getting their first real job when CDs were a very expensive thing, I feel like a kid again when faced with a pile of once hard to get CDs.

madengr 5y ago

eyelidlessness 5y ago

I don’t care about the format, but I agree with the general idea that there’s a lot to discover by taking the time to appreciate music you may not like right away. And in that vein, the first three albums I ever bought (CD) and the first I ever bought on vinyl continue to be among my favorite ever… even though I panned all of them on first listen: - The Toadies - Rubberneck - Smashing Pumpkins - Pisces Iscariot - Alice In Chains - [Three legged dog] - Pearl Jam - No Code

iggldiggl 5y ago

And in some cases, the streaming version of an album is only available in a mutilated version. A number of live Bob Dylan albums are e.g. inexplicably missing the between-tracks content in the online versions (both streaming and even download), even though those bits are actually quite funny (all that stuff in the 1964 Halloween concert) or notorious (the Judas! – I don't believe you! exchange on the 1966 Free Trade Hall concert). So buying the CDs is currently the only legal way of actually getting the full album, and having the full liner notes available is actually also quite nice in that case.