With digital streaming becoming mainstream, buying CD players seems a bit outdated. However, for those audiophiles who truly pursue sound quality, CD players still have their unique value. Why?
CD (Compact Disc) is a lossless audio format. Standard CD audio is recorded at 16 bits and a sampling rate of 44.1kHz. These two parameters together determine the quality of CD audio. The 16-bit depth provides enough dynamic range to reproduce the tiny details and wide volume changes in the music; the 44.1kHz sampling rate means that audio frequencies up to 22.05kHz can be captured, which is in line with the highest frequency range that the human ear can hear.
In addition, CDs use the pulse code modulation (PCM) format to store audio data, retaining the complete details of the recording process without any compression or data loss. In contrast, the audio provided by most streaming services is in a lossy compression format. For audiophiles and professionals, the loss of these details is unacceptable.
In recent years, streaming platforms have also begun to offer high-resolution audio (Hi-Res Audio). These formats can rival or even surpass CDs in sound quality. However, actually experiencing high-resolution audio requires high-quality playback equipment and a stable network connection. In addition, the audio quality between different streaming platforms also varies, and some platforms cannot really provide high-resolution audio.
In contrast, as a physical medium, the audio data of CD player is not affected by other external factors. As long as the surface of the CD is not severely scratched or damaged, the sound quality remains consistent.
For some music lovers, CD players are not only audio carriers, but also a collection. Owning a CD means that you can always play this album at any time and on any device, regardless of network connection and service provider restrictions. Although streaming music is convenient, you are actually just renting these music. Once the service stops or the content is removed, you can no longer hear these music.
Is it worth buying CD players? Ultimately, it depends on personal needs and preferences. If you pursue the highest sound quality, value physical collections, and have high-quality playback equipment, then buying CD players is undoubtedly worth it. CDs offer a stable, lossless audio experience that avoids the potential limitations and quality fluctuations of streaming.
