17 Comments
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Sandra Yvonne's avatar

"I’m in burn-it-all-down, throw-it-all-out mode. Amongst the casualties is my CD collection, one steadily built starting in 1990."

1990?! Oh my god, there was probably so much gold in there!

Reading this pains my soul, Matt. Here for your CD revival.

Matt Tillotson's avatar

Thanks Sandra! It's a long climb back.

Drake Greene's avatar

My CDs survived a move and I have a couple hundred, mostly classical music. I think that some of the performers and performances in my CD collection aren't available now, either in streaming format or as new CDs. I am inspired by your essay to start playing them again, even if they require more effort than streaming. And I play my CDs on an ancient Bang & Olufsen all-in-one stereo with great sound. Part of the experience.

Matt Tillotson's avatar

Love it Drake. I'm still figuring out how best to play them with spending a ton on a new system. Maybe vintage is the way to go.

David Marlow's avatar

Manilow Love is an all time great album.

Matt Tillotson's avatar

Let us proclaim it proudly!

David Marlow's avatar

I meant 'Live' but now that I read the error I'm sticking with Love. 😉

AngTart's avatar

You are welcome any time.

Barron Hall's avatar

Kept my CDs, vinyl and cassettes. Now if Samsung or Motorola would make a nice portable CD player or Sony upgrades the Discman...

Matt Tillotson's avatar

It's a barren desert for CD players from what I can tell. It's either expensive players built for expensive hi-fi systems, or junk. If Sony made a bluetooth-enabled Discman I'd buy immediately.

Chao Lam's avatar

I sold all my CDs... and all it got me was an iPod

AngTart's avatar

I absolutely REFUSE to get rid of my cd collection. As was your collection, mine is also AC/DC to zztop. And i have plenty if bands that i am sure you forgot about. You know i am mostly heavy metal but i have some real gems. Though i will be very bummed when my next car does not have a cd player in it. Sometimes you just wanna listen to something specific. 😁 Let me know if you ever want to borrow. Great write up Matt. I am enjoying these reads. Hugs. 🩵Ang

Matt Tillotson's avatar

Thanks for reading Ang! I'll have to peruse your collection one of these days.

Leo Mascaro 📸 ⚡️'s avatar

I’m getting so tired of relying on streaming for all my media consumption. Seriously considering either going back to CDs or at least getting a digital audio player and start buying/downloading music to have with me offline.

Matt Tillotson's avatar

Hey Leo! I love Apple Music, but there is something to the experience of having fewer, more prominent options. I think.

Leo Mascaro 📸 ⚡️'s avatar

Exactly! I miss back in the day choosing 3 or 4 CDs and that was all I’d listen to for a whole week on my commute.

Bill MacDonald's avatar

This is 100% true... I kept all my CDs, all my DVDs and Blu-Ray's, (and even some VHS). But I wish I never got rid of my Albums... something about the warmth of the music coming through an old vintage stereo... can't beat it. And the scratches are part of the charm IMO.