The MusicWeb Message Board: Re: CD-Rs

You do indeed have a point about economy, Barry; as a regular reviewer who receives most things gratis, with compliments, and also as an inveterate cheapskate who tends to buy things "pre-owned", I have to remind myself that classical music needs to make a profit for the labels and be affordable to punters. I don't much like downloads, either, but they are invariably considerably cheaper than a physical CD - not that I care that much because, as you infer, I am disgustingly affluent (cough).

Previous Message

Hello again.
I know the Rachmaninov/glamour-puss thing is already happening - that was kind of my point. Any new DG release (to take the obvious example) has an aura of tackiness to it, to my eyes, compared to the 'good old days'. I used to have Karajan's 1977 Beethoven Ninth on vinyl back in the day, when I was just starting out discovering classical music, and (foolishly, maybe) I don't think I could have handled the Dead Sea Scrolls with more care and solemnity.
Thankfully, so far as reaching my eyes, these DG releases and their ilk have yet to penetrate my ears.
As for downloads, lossless or otherwise, it always amuses me when some people (please note, I do not accuse your good self) who bang the drum for this kind of home listening, always do so in a manner that suggests that those of us who are still clinging to our CDs, vinyl, 78s and shellac are Luddites and dinosaurs.
I would no more listen to my music via a computer than I would read a book on a Kindle (other devices are available, I believe), or go for a walk via a virtual headset.
Finally, and back to CD-Rs, I think my two main concerns are 1) that of durability - but let's face it, they'll probably outlive me; and 2) that of cost, because I can't think Hyperion (and others) are not saving money with this, yet with no discount to the consumer, which might have been a nice gesture.
And as no one here seems to be remotely interested one way or the other on the latter point, I can only assume everyone is positively overflowing with disposable income!
Regards,
Barry.

Previous Message

Well, I decided to conduct some research and as for these 'factory-pressed CDs', the term is rather misleading.
They are not, in fact, 'pressed' (as in the days of vinyl) the process is 'injection moulding' and then retail copies
are made at high speed from one of several versions of the original.

Now, to address Mr Cronin's latest comments:
I smiled at the idea of returning in 20 years to find Rachmaninov performed by some short-skirted glamour-puss.
Where have you been?? This is already happening. And the thought that Hyperion would still exist in 20 years...
the way things are going, that is wishful thinking.

Also, the consensus appears to be: just forget about CD-Rs and take a lossless download. The choice is yours.

Regarding Nick's concern for durability & sound quality - I don't think SQ is an issue, but durability could be.
I have always understood from the very early days of making CDs at home to only burn them at a slow speed
to ensure the best possible reproduction, but that won't happen in a commercial environment.

regards