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matthewb
@matthewb
this is Serious Gourmet Bait to get me to write a long hi-fi thread. maybe these could be sit and talk videos instead if there's any interest. * here's a tldr; on the hi-fi format wars in 2025: - vinyl is still enormously popular and many serious audiophiles optimize their entire system for vinyl playback rather than CD or streaming - despite CDs being largely forgotten by the average consumer, audiophiles still love CDs and often prefer them to streaming - streaming is becoming more and more prevalent, to the extent that it's the default for most showrooms. arguably the most complex and expensive to optimize vs. vinyl and CDs.
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matthewb
@matthewb
some of those formats like SACD are hi-res and exceed redbook's 44.1kHz/16-bit limitations, whereas others like SHM-CD and UHQCD are simply higher quality CD pressings. there is no "one and done" answer to any question in hi-fi, but it's certainly much easier to build a hi-fi system around a CD player than a streamer/DAC. many CD players have a pleasing character that far outweighs a streaming system of the same price range, which is why many audiophiles still favour the format. a CD player is a closed loop with only one format (e.g. redbook CD, 44.1kHz/16-bit file) and no other variables. this simplicity allows for minimal signal paths and very high-quality output depending on the implementation.
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