Death of the iPod (Everyone's buying vinyl)

[A Lark Ascending]

Fortunately I don't need one in the near future. 

[xybert]

Sounds like an updated/improved version of the iPod Touch, which was already basically just an iPhone minus cellular capability. I'm stoked, because i love my Touch and like having a separate device (to my phone) for music and i will need to replace it at some point.

It's funny how different people can be sometimes. I actually love the fact that I DO have everything all in one device. Less clutter in my pockets. If I had to carry around a phone and an iPod Touch, I'd be annoyed as hell...

I get ya man. I do have music on my phone as well, which is great, especially when out and about. I mostly leave my iPod at home unless i'm going on a trip.

Listening wise, i have all my music on an external HD. A lot of the time i'll bluetooth my laptop to my stereo and listen that way, but i don't always want to fire up the laptop and external HD. That's where the iPod comes in handy, because i can either bluetooth that to the stereo or plug it in to whatever via an audio jack. I also often enjoy just laying on the couch with the iPod on my chest and just listen via it's built in speaker like a transistor radio. All these things i could do with my phone (and do sometimes), but i like to leave my phone off, especially at night, and especially when i'm in bed, but still obviously want to be able to listen to music. There are other things, and technically i could do everything i do with just one device, but ultimately it all comes down to preference.

Anyway, as you say, just different strokes.

 

 

[Scott Dolan]

Actually, I get where you're coming from 100%. Thanks for taking time to explain. 

I actually use my iPad much the same way you use your iPod. Only difference being that I'm using it to remotely control my Apple TV, which accesses my entire music library on my iMac. 

And I ditch my phone the second I walk in the door. I'm right there with you on that one. 

[David Ayers]

My last 160 cost me £179.

The iPod Touch 128 is priced at £329 on the Apple site. 

Of course, in time prices may drop. 

Sounds like you blimeys are getting a raw deal.  £329 = $513.49 as of today.

UK prices are always quoted inclusive of sales tax (VAT) @20%, so £329 is £274, so about $428. Yes things do cost more in the UK than the US in general, but *part* of that is the sales tax...

[mjzee]

Seems to be almost twice the price of the Classic but good to know I can replace a damaged iPod and manage music on the move the way that works for me.

IIRC, the price of the 160 gb Classic was $399.

I must retract my statement.  I've just found the receipt for my 120 gb Classic (from 2009), and the price was $224.95.

[A Lark Ascending]

This week's Guardian vinyl story:

UK vinyl boom sends prices spinning into 'premium' territory

“You can’t afford to take a punt on an unfamiliar band any more,” says Dara, a 41-year-old HMV customer who didn’t want to give his full name. He’s rolling his eyes at a copy of Oasis’s debut album, Definitely Maybe, re-released at £24.99, including a download code for a number of previously unreleased tracks.

“Vinyl is just too expensive. You’re paying a lot for a few extra Oasis tracks. It’s just going to be bought by collectors rather than people who get it home and take the shrink wrap off.”

[Shawn]

There is no reason to "take a punt on an unfamiliar band" in 2015.  You sample the album on Spotify or Amazon Music or Apple Music or Youtube, etc and then decide whether it's worth the purchase or not.  It's called being an informed consumer.

[A Lark Ascending]

Of course.

But I'd imagine some vinyl addicts would consider listening to a streamed album as the equivalent of trying out a chair in IKEA prior to purchasing the coveted Chippendale. 

[Scott Dolan]

Of course.

But I'd imagine some vinyl addicts would consider listening to a streamed album as the equivalent of trying out a chair in IKEA prior to purchasing the coveted Chippendale. 

Oh, I think we've seen ample evidence from the Snooterati right here at The O to firmly back that claim.

[A Lark Ascending]

Nothing wrong with spending your money on posh chairs, expensive formats or anything else for that matter if it gives you pleasure. Just as long as it doesn't claim to be anything more than a lifestyle choice. 

[Scott Dolan]

I rest my case. 

[A Lark Ascending]

More Guardian Vinyl Romanticism:

http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2015/oct/28/best-uk-record-shops-chosen-by-experts

Useful to anyone who fancies a holiday touring England and Wales with record shops as focal points. 

[sidewinder]

The Guardian seem to be peddling the same vinyl related rubbish ad nauseum.

Their list of shops is crap as well. In general, there are much better places around the country than the ones on this list (albeit the selection would have been way better 10 years ago). 

[kh1958]

There is, it turns out, one vinyl pressing plant in Dallas, and the owners of my favorite local record store have purchased it.

http://bizbeatblog.dallasnews.com/2015/10/with-purchase-of-ar-vinyl-pressing-plant-josey-records-isnt-just-a-record-store-anymore.html/

 

[mjzee]

Interesting; I wish them luck.

[A Lark Ascending]

Another day, another Guardian vinyl article. Islington homes must be full of the stuff:

http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2015/nov/04/best-vinyl-record-shops-uk-guardian-readers-tips

[GA Russell]

Here are two NBC pieces, one about vinyl and the second about cassettes.

http://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/why-millennials-are-buying-more-vinyl-records-n458806

http://www.cnbc.com/2014/04/17/cassettes-are-making-a-comeback.html

[A Lark Ascending]

Vinyl sales may be rising, but have you seen who’s buying it?

"The demographic of the average vinyl buyer is very clear. It’s a middle-aged man, possibly bearded (OK, definitely bearded); kids have probably left home, no longer on speaking terms with wife, spare bedroom has become a shrine to his teenage love: the Floyd (their album The Endless River was the best-selling vinyl LP in 2014). Essentially it’s me."

"Record shops might once have been the sole preserve for local teenagers, these days they are essentially creches for middle-aged men; a place where you can drop off your partner while you nip to Zara and Warehouse, safe in the knowledge that two hours later he won’t be sat in a ditch singing rebel songs with a bollard on his head. (On the downside, he may bring home yet another challenging Ornette Coleman LP.)"

Edited December 8, 2015 by A Lark Ascending

[Scott Dolan]

Hahaha...

At least someone has come to terms with reality. 

[John L]

On 08/12/2015, 04:55:12, A Lark Ascending said:

Vinyl sales may be rising, but have you seen who’s buying it?

"The demographic of the average vinyl buyer is very clear. It’s a middle-aged man, possibly bearded (OK, definitely bearded); kids have probably left home, no longer on speaking terms with wife, spare bedroom has become a shrine to his teenage love: the Floyd (their album The Endless River was the best-selling vinyl LP in 2014). Essentially it’s me."

"Record shops might once have been the sole preserve for local teenagers, these days they are essentially creches for middle-aged men; a place where you can drop off your partner while you nip to Zara and Warehouse, safe in the knowledge that two hours later he won’t be sat in a ditch singing rebel songs with a bollard on his head. (On the downside, he may bring home yet another challenging Ornette Coleman LP.)"

I guess that middle-aged men these days are those who grew up with CDs and got into vinyl the way that we (older farts) might have been fascinated by 78s.

[A Lark Ascending]

Anyone hoping streaming would be a flash in the pan, soon to be replaced by the return of the cylinder disc, will not be pleased to see this: 

Fab Four’s full catalogue will make Christmas Eve debut on Spotify, Apple Music, Google Play and Amazon Prime, ending long streaming site holdout

 

[Scott Dolan]

Hahaha…those cylinders had highly resolving warmth just OOZING from them!

I've never heard more crisp and round playback than what I got from my Edison Concrete Phonograph.

 

[Kevin Bresnahan]

If the vinyl buying demographic is "middle aged men", they're likely under 50. Anyone older than that who actually had to buy all their music on vinyl is all too aware of its shortcomings. I dumped those things like hotcakes. Sure, I have a few hundred LPs these days but that is nothing compared to the thousands of CDs I have.

[paul secor]

2 hours ago, Kevin Bresnahan said:

If the vinyl buying demographic is "middle aged men", they're likely under 50. Anyone older than that who actually had to buy all their music on vinyl is all too aware of its shortcomings.

Not at all true for me and I'm over 50.

[Scott Dolan]

I didn't mean to imply that it's universal. Just that I think it would apply in a lot of cases.