They're needed if you want proper digital copies for gapless album playback. You can't trust anybody to get that right.

Apple seems to do that reasonably right in my limited experience.

Apple fixed gapless playback in iTunes like 20 years ago.

Amazon music has gap problems today. In 2025.

And I remember winamp could do this way earlier.

I love CDs, and unlike records or tapes they have never really gone up in price, even with inflation. A new CD is still about $15.

This is one of the most absurd facts there is.

Back in the eighties when CDs were introduced, they were NOK 165 a piece for a new release.

Last time I dropped by my friendly neighbourhood dealer (of music, that is), the CD rack said CDs were NOK 189.

165 1985-kroner equals nigh on 500 2025-kroner.

Incidentally, an LP back then was NOK 89, equivalent to NOK 270 today - whereas an LP today would set me back approx. NOK 399.

Good thing my employer pays me significantly better than my parents did in the eighties. I can still sustain my music habit.

Not that it'll happen, or at least I haven't heard of it, but I'd love for MiniDiscs to also make a comeback (not that they ever were that popular), and see new releases in that format. It's my favorite one, a nice blend of CDs and compact cassettes (no worries about scratches thanks to the protective shell, even when you carelessly throw the discs in your pockets).

And they feel so futuristic!

After years of digital only I started buying CDs and books again. I am much more selective though. Just buy what I will listen to many times or for artist support.

Bought a total of 3 CDs in two years. Movies are more difficult, as I can't stand watching most the second time. Got some Ghibli classics.

CDs are digital.

But less so than Spotify or Apple Music.