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If you had to pick one primary format for your music, what would it be?

Submitted by Stereophile Staff



Putting multi-format bundles aside for the moment, if you had to pick one primary format for your music, what would it be?
Choose One	Vinyl CD SACD DVD-Audio Download (specify format) Web Radio Radio (FM, HD, XM, etc) Tape (specify format) Other
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Would you prefer a vinyl-download bundle to the CD release of an album?

Submitted by Stereophile Staff, Nov 8 2009



A reader of SM's blog states: "Vinyl-download bundles are a complete win-win for me, and I would choose the bundle over a CD every time." How about you? Would you prefer a vinyl-download bundle to the CD release of an album?

I'd prefer a vinyl-download bundle: 54%
I'd prefer the CD: 21%
Neither one: 24%



Since the download is going to be lossily compressed with DRM, most likely, I would rather own the CD. I can then manipulate it into any format of my liking for portable use. This is the vinyl vs CD argument in disguise. I prefer CDs over vinyl all for reasons I can prove logically on paper. I don't believe in magic and know that vinyl (while it does sound warm, thanks to distortion) does not sound cleaner or more crip than a CD.
—*Jason Combs*

Hybrid SACD.
—*John Winder*

A 24-bit/96kHz or better version for a download and a vinyl version will be better than a 16-bit/44.1kHz CD any day.
—*Jonathan Cohen*

What is a "vinyl-download bundle?"
—*huh?*

I go with the group that says "LPs sound better than CDs."
—*J. Pocalypse*

I would prefer the download bundle to be in 16-bit/44.1kHz WAV or AIFF format.
—*Aaron Jacobsen*

That's retarded—they are usually crappily compressed and not FLAC. If they were FLAC, I would prefer the vinyl-download bundle. I usually just ignore the download if it's compressed MP3 garbage.
—*bullethead*

But I want a hi-rez download—24/96 or 24/88.2.
—*Randy Miller*

I get all the meat with the vinyl and the ham slice I need for lunch on the road with the MP3. Event though I have nothing against CDs and MP3, vinyl was and always will be the real thing and king and will never die. Out of the few people still paying for their music, a very big portion are vinyl lovers Vinyl with Its sound and aesthetics is always going to be temptation to the true lover of music—and its unique not-copiable nature also makes It a worthwhile purchase.
—*Petros Petroulopoulos*

Hybrid SACD, thank you very much!
—*Philip*

Downloads are great, but they must be 24-bit/96kHz at the least.
—*Jeff W*

Don't play vinyl much, despite having many discs and nice TT. I go for the convenience most of the time.
—rp

Most of the local places don't even have new vinyl where I am! I have to travel 115km each way to find it! I love the fact that the packaging of most new vinyl now has a CD with it—I play it in the car on the way home!
—*Dman (from Audioasylum)*

Neither, exactly. I like the vinyl-CD bundle, like Bob Dylan did with Together Through the Years. If I buy a vinyl-CD bundle (because I want the vinyl), I give the download to our daughter. To answer your question as it was asked, I'd have to say I'd pick the bundle because I want the vinyl, rather than the CD, version of the music. I have no use for the download.
—*Mark G.*

Already got one of The Shins great albums this way. Seemed just right to me...
—*allan*

Of the commercially-available formats, I only want SACD because of multichannel and superior sonics. Eventually, hi-rez multichannel downloads will take an increasing market share. Looking forward to that.
—*Tom Caulfield*

Vinyl and a CD—screw downloading. I don't want to have to create a CD on a PC.
—*perry lenhart*

Would prefer DVD-A or SACD (given the discs in my collection, I would give the sound quality advantage to DVD-A).
—*Chris*

Depends on price; I'll bet the bundle would cost much more than a CD. I'd want to choose on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes a CD is good enough.
—*Vade Forrester*

I'd prefer to download five or six 32-bit/96kHz, or better, individual tracks and mix it myself. Don't you have great music ruined by a vocal or a too-loud drum track or tubby bass that you'd like to change? C'mon people, we have the technology to do this. You can now buy a music server, five or six quality speakers and a good amp for $10k or less. Too much money? Have you bought a car lately?
—*Walter Purdy*

Sound without extras is most important for me.
—*rey*

SACD, preferably multichannel. If I have to settle for second best, then vinyl with CD, followed by vinyl with a download bundle. SACD is by far the best and most flexible format.
—*Bill Holz*

I like vinyl straight up. No digital player/media/source has the ability to do what a good analog rig can do.
—*Ed Morris*

It's about time all those undithered 24-bit digital masters lying around were "printed" to FLAC and hosted for download purchase. Add in a small premium pricing percentage and the music industry has nothing to lose.
—*Rob*

In fact, I'd prefer a vinyl-CD bundle.
—*Francisco S., Brazil*

I would want a hi-rez multichannel recording on SACD, Blu-Ray, etc.
—*David D*

I bought Voivod's Infini on vinyl recently and received the bundled download. Perfect.
—*arcan*

I would prefer the download if it was a WAV or FLAC file at the original master resolution—especially if it were at 88.2 or 96 or 176.4 or 192kHz/24- bit. The important thing to me is that the download be in the original PCM master digital format and not down or up-rezzed. So if, for instance, it was at 44.1kHz/24-bit, then please provide it that way. Most recordings of course are made above 44.1 or 48kHz these days. If it was an analog master tape, then please provide a digital copy at least at 88.2 or 96 and hopefully at either 176.4 or 192kHz/24- bit! If it is a copy of a CD at 44.1/16-bit, then that would be acceptable. At any resolution lower than a CD, I would not be interested in a download, so in that case I would prefer the CD to be released.
—*Alan Goodwin, Goodwin'sHighEnd*

I would never pay more for a vinyl-download bundle than for a vinyl-only disc.
—*Martin*

Why is Stereophile so obsessed with downloads, computer servers, and hi-rez lately? I don't like what I'm hearing, and in some cases, reading in Stereophile. Stereophile used to be about cutting-edge high-end audio, not about passing fads. What gives?
—*F. Chasinovsky, Van Nuys, CA*

Bought the CD of the recent Jesus Lizard reissues instead of the vinyl+download.
—*Jim*

Vinyl-download, for sure. But uncompressed ones and zeros, por favor.
—*jordan*

I always perfer CD over vinyl-download bundles since CDs are the best sound and price and I can always upload my CDs to MP3 or any other format, if I like.
—*rob a*

I'd prefer the SACD.
—*Andreas Bendlin*

Neither option is acceptable as audiophile LP prices have risen too high. Instead, I prefer an SACD version or, at the very least, an 88.2kHz or higher resolution download.
—*Teresa*

SACD/DVD-A with download or CD.
—*Mike C.*

Hello, If it's not in 5.1 surround (any format!), I'm really not interested. Previous to hi-rez audio, I purchased 100+ Japanese Import CDs a year. Now, it's way less than five. My gain all the way! I still have my 250 Japanese import LP stash in storage waiting for a good home. Thanks.
—*Patrick Roseberry*

Mostly SACD, no vinyl.
—*Vahe Sahakian*

I'd prefer SACD with 5.1 surround sound over anything else.
—*Jennifer Krause*

Why not go and buy the vinyl instead?
—*Peder Beckman*

I prefer vinyl, but still want a digital copy—and I'm not too excited about getting a fancy sound card and all that's involved to rip the vinyl.
—*Bob Vineyard*

By a wide margin, I prefer SACD. That wasn't a choice—why?
—*Patrick Callery*

I prefer SACD/DVD-A! Why is that not a choice here? Besides that, vinyl is very nice. After that, it is CD and DVD in a tie, even though the 5.1 option beats the CD.
—*Chris*

I prefer SACD.
—*Peter Blokland*

I want hi-rez! I want SACD!
—*Dister*

SACD rules!
—*Turkka Näppilä*

As long as it's lossless or hi-rez, absolutely. It's a no-brainer.
—*Mike Quinn*

This is a great option, in my opinion. I get a vinyl copy to spin at home and a digital version for my iPod, so I can listen in my car, at work, or at the gym. I don't like when they transfer the digital version from a scratchy LP. Beck did this with his last album (Modern Guilt). I think that's a little silly.
—*Sean Zloch*

Vinyl is the only way to go, unless your hearing is damaged!
—*Tom Smith*

Of course, I'd like the download to be WAV/FLAC/lossless.
—*Judicata*

If I buy vinyl, I'd like the download, but a lot of times I'm happy to buy the CD and be done with it.
—*Ole G.*

Just give me the download and I'll fire it up over my Transporter.
—JS

See no value in downloading to a inferior medium! I'd rather listen to vinyl on a turntable!
—*stephen w sweigart*

I just love gramophones, and gramophone records. Somehow, CD just does not seem to have the "goodness" that records do.
—*Terry Robinson*

It doesn't matter. It's all the same 0s and 1s. While I like to have a physical CD most of the time, not all CDs are worth having. In this case, it's nice to be able to pick and choose specific songs. If we're strictly talking about an entire compilation, then I definitely prefer a CD, even with one costing a bit more than a download. It makes me feel I've actually gotten something for my money. It also provides me with a back-up in the event of a storage device failure.
—*Damon Anderson*

Beats me how "vinyl-download bundles" are a win-win. How is a download file attractive to a vinyl addict? How is a large plastic disc of interest to a geek who strives to extract the very best from a bunch of bits? I think the population of audiophiles turning to digital until they can afford a turntable is one—SM. Gimme studio master quality downloads of great music!
—*CharlyD*

This isn't 1985 anymore, with LP mastering a mature (meaning well-developed, not old-fashioned) technology and CD in its infancy. Current CD mastering technology (when used properly) is superb and CD still has all of the inherent advantages over LP that caused it to capture the market in the first place. All that's changed is the record labels' loss of absolute control over the means of production. (It's obvious why they like the idea of a return to vinyl.) I still don't want to deal with stylus angle, heavy marble slabs for a turntable to sit on, record wear, and all of the rest.
—*Rob*

There are still those of us who like to play CDs!
—*Jeff*

Best of both worlds, high quality and convenience.
—*Dave Bennett*

Absolutely! In lossless format, of course!
—al

I prefer vinyl—and inside, a CD.
—*jose danie gil*

Vinyl and high-resolution downloads are the best combination ever!
—*Andrea Tubaro*

Yep, I do prefer this or even better the vinyl that comes with the CD, too. As in all the recent My Morning Jacket vinyl reissues and the current Monsters Of Folk LP. Lovely vinyl and a paper sleeve version of the CD. Perfecto!
—*Charlie Jefferson*

Even better yet is getting the complete CD within the vinyl package. That way, I have the vinyl, which is my first choice and the CD for the car—and I can make my own downloads easier than making a CD.
—*DLKG*

I would prefer the vinyl with a CD copy included. Downloads are not sufficient quality as I rip CDs to lossless format for use with iTunes and my iPod.
—*John*

I prefer the CD.
—*Paul S.*

I spin vinyl and have a music server, so it's perfect for me. So long as the download is at least Redbook quality, I'd be on board.
—*Tim K*

Absolutely vinyl, hands down.
—*L. Laske*

It is the best of both worlds. Vinyl for home and CD for the car.
—*Revell Murphy*

I'd love to be able to download vinyl LPs over the Internet, as long as the sleeve doesn't get damaged going through the cables!
—*Charlie Smith*

Only SACD, DVD-Audio, or Blu-ray audio (preferably stereo) and on a physical format.
—*Hugo Rosa*

I am generally only downloading high bit-rate FLAC files. If the vinyl was cut from high bit-rate files and sent as FLAC, maybe, but not if it was sent as Redbook.
—*Jim Tavegia*

How about CD and download?
—*John*

Vinyl and CD!
—*Nick Manzanares*

I do not download music.
—*Justin*

Of your choices, I'll take the bundle. My real choice is buying the vinyl and CD together.
—*Frank*

A third and better option would be a vinyl release that includes a CD.
—*Mike Colvin*

Although the bundle is very appealing, "a la carte" seems the best possible choice, because it allows one to choose exactly what he/she wants.
—*Dave*

The best of both worlds.
—*Nolan*

Had not thought of this before, but a vinyl-download bundle is very attractive. I get to listen to the vinyl at home on the big rig, and digitally on the iPod while away—kind of a no-brainer.
—*Bob S. in Stokesdale, NC*

This is the only way to go, I think. Who wants a CD?
—*Austin*

What in Edison's name is a vinyl-download bundle? I can't imagine I'd have any interes,t since downloading music is of little interest. Maybe someday I won't be such a curmudgeon—but don't hold your breath waiting for me.
—*Brankin*

I'd prefer the bundle, but only if the download side of the deal provided at least a 16/44.1 file, and preferably one at 24/88.2 or better.
—*Pete*

Vinyl with a download bundle would be the best. Hell, add a CD with the vinyl—even better!
—*Neil*

Only the vinyl is analog. Life is analog, digital is only "bits" of it.
—*Tonko Papic - CHILE*

Vinyl forever! And downloads for the iPod...
—*Ali*

New Order's latest vinyl came with a CD. Great, great, great idea. CD costs nothing, total package around $25 CDN. Play the vinyl on the big rig, get the CD in the car.
—*Tanto*

I prefer the CD. No reason for vinyl, in general.
—*Jim M*

Vinyl is better, after all, isn't it?
—*Ken*

Yep. But only if the download is FLAC or similar.
—*Ross*

Honestly, I'd rather download a nice set of 24/96 WAV files with some type of database info and skip (and save $ on) the physical media. BTW, what type of files come with the LP-download bundle?
—*tonyE*

I'd prefer a CD + hi-rez download.
—*Corey*

Ideally, I'd prefer a high-def download and the vinyl. Unfortunately, space would be even more of an issue than it is at the moment—currently, I have to use a computer as my source with my CDs and vinyl (nearly) are all in storage some 450 miles away. Still, I read reviews of $100,000+ equipment I can't afford, so let's stick with the dream.
—*Stephen*

The vinyl-download bundles are fine. They include vinyl! Microsoft programs can't suddenly scramble up those "files," as they can, and did, to my computer-stored terabyte of ripped CDs. And, of course, vinyl sounds glorious in ways to which digital can only aspire. I just bought a new phono preamp Saturday to upgrade that capacity , putting the money where the mouth is. Thanks to my dealer here in north Dallas for letting me spend over a week auditioning units at home before making a confident, and unexpected, decision.
—DG

Definitely vinyl first up—the download bundles can be convenient, but better still is the actual CD in the vinyl sleeve. A few are coming this way, which is great; unlike the download, you can rip to FLAC for a music server
—*A Taylor*

Just give me a high bit-rate download.
—HS

Great idea—Paul McCartney did a fine job with the Fireman album recently.
—*Jamie Holland*

More flexibility and "wired" into the future.
—*Walcascar*

LPs allow for more artwork; and there is also the collectability aspect of vinyl. And, of course, the smoothness of vinyl.
—*Ima Believer*

And if the download was FLAC, all the better!
—*Graeme Nattress*

Turntable + iPod = :)
—*Max*

With the caveat that the download be at a very high or lossless sample rate.
—*tjnindc*

Good quality vinyl and 24/88.2 or 24/96 FLAC—puurfect!
—*struts*

I'd prefer the vinyl-download bundle, especially if they offered high-quality FLAC files. As a higher-priced premium format, vinyl should include all the extras possible.
—*Russell Hemati*

How do you download vinyl? LOL! I'll take the CD.
—*Steve NM*

That's a trick question. The vinyl dub would sound better only if whoever records the music does not doctor it with software. All the click and hiss removal programs severely degrade sound quality.
—*John H*

It depends if the music is worth gluing myself to the listening chair for, or worth $18-40 for, as opposed to $10-12 for the CD from Amazon.com. But the idea is, in general, a winner.
—*Louis P.*

Give me vinyl, or give me nuttin'.
—*D.A.B., Pacific Palisades, CA.*

Vinyl download. But they should be well-recorded to begin with, the download should be high-quality, and the album should be something I actually want to spend time alone with, listening, rather than just having it over headphones as I go about daily life.
—*Olivia*

The only way I'd find use for the download is if it's a high-rez 96/24 download. Otherwise, I'll just rip the LP and load it as a lossless file for casual iPod and car listening.
—*Cole*

Of course, I want the download to be 24/192 and the vinyl to be 45s, single-sided on clear JVC vinyl for, say, 30 bucks. Well, I can dream!
—*Ken*

While I love and own a very nice vinyl rig, I do so only to purchase second-hand vinyl from the '50s and '60s. I would prefer the CD release so I can play and also upload into my iPod—much easier, even though it won't sound as good as vinyl.
—*Nick*

I think it is a brilliant idea! Long overdue, as long as the download could be of decent quality, so much the better.
—*Daniel*

I'd prefer another option—a CD-vinyl bundle? But since that's not an option in the poll, I'd have to say CD. It preserves better.
—*Eric Shook - Pittsboro, NC*

CD wins—vinyl can be good if you have a $2500+ front-end, but a <$500 CD front-end can be its equal. The future is clearly with digital.
—*Jim Dandy*

SACD and/or hi-rez download. With hi-rez, I don't need the vinyl option.
—*Sam*

Or better yet, $20-25 bucks gets you an LP, CD, and download.
—*John G, Louisville*

This is what I have been waiting for! Portability is important for music. I want to listen on my iPod, in the car, and throughout the house. At the same time, I want the vinyl for the sound, the sleeve, and the whole look & feel of it. Sell my vinyl with a download code to an uncompressed (!) file attached and my music purchases will double!
—*Max*

Vinyl? This was this technique which we used for record listening in the last century, isn't it? With lots of wow and flutter, hiss, etc. I haven't listened to vinyl since around 1995. And why a download? If I'm the owner of the CD, I can do a "download" by my own.
—*Oliver*

Lisa Hannigan (Irish singer/songwriter) had her album available in Dublin for ¢13 on CD or ¢16 on vinyl with the CD also included. Never seen anybody else offering this, but I like it.
—*Mark Higgins*

Vinyl is a pain in the behind, and it wears out. CDs don't. That makes enough difference to me that I'd bypass the vinyl option. Or I'd go for a download-only (lossless) format.
—*Pete*

Of course, what do I do with a CD? And I can give the download to my young cousin
—*JJ Zarate*

Just plain vinyl. Keeping the faith.
—*anders*

I don't care about physical media. Give me the hi-rez bits!
—*james kontol*

CD with vinyl works for me!
—*Jim T*

Try as I might, regardless of all but the most extreme expense for digital, I still prefer the vinyl recording. The download is merely a convenience for life on the road.
—*ACF*

Neither—I'd prefer a hi-rez download!
—*xanthia01@gmail.com*

With minimal care, a CD will last a lifetime. Neither downloads nor vinyl are very durable.
—*Woody Battle*

Hybrid SACD (with HD stereo program, HD multichannel program, and CD layer) is a complete win for me.
—*hirez_rulez*

I don't know what a vinyl-download bundle includes. The CD version bundled with vinyl recorded on to a digital format (such as a WAV file) would be nice. I would not sacrifice CD quality for vinyl, though.
—*Lila*

Vinyl download. But it's gotta be done well using proper hardware. But then, my first preference would be the original LP, of course.
—*Shahrukh Dandiwala*

I'd like prefer that music be offered in both mediums, vinyl and digital. There exists no better high resolution than analog. Digital recordings/media are always converted from analog!
—*Hans-J. Dorn, Althea Musica*

How do you download a record?
—*smitty*

Yeah, I'd go for the vinyl-download bundle. The download should be in FLAC, though.
—*Bob D*

I would rather have an SACD.
—*Jonathan Allen*

What the hell is a "vinyl-download bundle"?
—*Dismord*

CD, thank you very much. I prefer to live without LP surface noise, ticks, pops, crackles, stylus wear, groove wear, and constant cleaning. "Perfect sound, forever!"®
—*FearlessLeader*

What the .... is a vinyl download bundle? Someone playing and digitizing a record and sending the (now digital) results to you over the Internet? Complete with clicks, pops, wow-and-flutter, tonearm-cartridge resonances, mistracking and all the other nasty vinyl side effects? And yes, if you act now, you can also get, free of charge, nasy digital side-effects thanks to bad digital equipment. This has got to be about the most confusing (or weird) question I have ever seen on Stereophile. Thanks for a (somewhat confused) good laugh!
—*Paul J. Stiles, Mtn. View, CA*

Now that I've rediscovered the sound that I had forgotten, I'm spoiled. Vinyl always!
—*Daniel C*

I would like to see a combo vinyl-CD package.
—*Wes*

I might like all three. At once.
—JB

I do not buy any more CDs.
—N

I don't do vinyl. Not that I have a problem with it. I can't afford hi-rez right now. So, it's CD! Mostly from Mapleshade, Reference Recordings, etc. Also, I prefer a recording to be made with one or two mics, like Yarlung. Some stuff I buy, of course, is "standard issue" as far as sound quality goes.
—*Larry*

Best is the vinyl-CD bundle (as opposed to vinyl-download bundles, which are usually crappy MP3 files).
—*jman*

Vinyl & download—best of both worlds.
—*Nathan*

I'm all about the vinyl!
—*edever*

Always the vinyl, but ideally it would be a record with a CD thrown in (which some are doing now).
—*Doug Bowker*

A vinyl-download bundle would be perfect for me as long as the downloads are available in FLAC.
—*Nikhil*

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