TheByte

The Emperor

I was buying CDs till i got my 1st internet connection...

Bruce

That's to debate, but then again that's also going to come down to the quality of speakers you are using.

Yes!

I've noticed a dramatic difference between CD and MP3 quality of the same song(s).

BMW_Dude

I can tell a huge difference between the radio and CD quality, but I only listen to CDs in the car so can't really compare MP3 music and CDs!

Bruce

Will, if you get the chance, try listening to both (MP3 and CD), back to back. The results are quite amazing.

When I had first listened to Rush's recently released "Snakes & Arrows" (MP3 Version) I had thought they were good, but when I listened to the authentic CD version I felt as If I was listening to a completely new album. Crystal clear in all aspects - especially when accentuating the bass guitar and drums (in particular, items like the snare drum)

coolraoul

MP3 is, compared to a CD, absolutely awful.
The music is lifeless, cold, unemotional.

The MP3 is a compression system. It cuts the music from the very high and very low tones, so no real high or basses compared to a cd, and instead of keeping all the musical lines it merge together all the lines that are similar. So the music loose some of its charm.

The LP, well, has a better sound than a CD. Thing is, a CD only contains the sound human ears can hear (from memory, from 20 to 20.000khz), whereas the LP emits also higher and lower frequencies.

The ear cannot hear them. However, they resonate with the head's bones, so even if you don't hear them you can feel them.
It makes the LP more warm, more natural, more profound. The SACD, for instance, does emit these very high and deep frequencies...

Also the LP is said analogical, because it is the musical line that is recorded, whereas a CD contains digital informations (1.0.1.0.11.0000.111....), so it is not as natural sounding.

Whereas the difference between a CD and a LP is only really noticeable on a good stereo, the MP3 is really really bad sounding even on a normal stereo...

I only have CD, because LP are too heavy, too fragile, and because it is easier to use CD...No reglages, no pieces to change.
But I don't use MP3 because I want music, not sound.

Bruce

Great post Raoul, and I couldn't agree more.